Congress terms August 5 ‘black day’, to hold hunger strike on August 9

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has resolved to step up its campaign for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. The party said it would mark August 5 — the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — as a “black day,” and will also observe a hunger strike on August 9.

JK Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra said that the party has been staging demonstrations in both Srinagar and Jammu, pressing the government of India to reinstate the region’s special status. “Congress leaders have even taken this protest to New Delhi,” he said.

“Our struggle is ongoing. We are demanding full statehood — not a diluted version,” Karra asserted. “We want the same status as states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, or Andhra Pradesh. It is our right, not a favour. It was taken from us illegally, undemocratically, and without consent.”

Calling the decision to escalate the agitation a “new phase of struggle,” Karra said that under the ‘Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’ campaign, the party will organise multiple events from August 1 to 21. “August 5 will be observed as a black day,” he reiterated, calling it the “darkest day in JK’s history.”

He added that the hunger strike on August 9 will be a symbolic act to reclaim what was “forcibly taken away” from the people.

Responding to criticism from the National Conference over not being consulted about the protest plans, Karra noted that while the NC is part of the ruling coalition, the Congress supports the government from the outside. “We’re not in the Cabinet and have no political compulsions.

This is not just a Congress issue — it’s about the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We’re not forcing anyone to join us, but we will continue fulfilling our responsibility. People are acknowledging our stand and noting that at least one party raised the issue of statehood in Delhi,” he said.