Srinagar, October 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Thursday observed a “Black Day” and staged a protest against what it described as the alleged mistreatment of senior Congress leaders in Delhi a day earlier.
Congress workers gathered outside the party headquarters in Srinagar and attempted to take out a protest march. However, the march was stopped by police and CRPF personnel before the protesters could move onto the main road.
The protesters carried placards and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Addressing reporters, Srinagar Congress district president Adil Farooq said the party was observing the “Black Day” in protest against what he termed an attack on democratic values.
Farooq alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were subjected to inappropriate treatment during the protest in Delhi.
He accused the Modi-led government of suppressing democratic voices and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister.
“Yesterday, the way our senior leaders were treated in Delhi and the way democratic rights were curtailed is the reason we are observing this Black Day,” Farooq said.
He said Congress workers had assembled to exercise their peaceful and democratic right to protest but were stopped by security personnel.
Farooq further alleged that some party workers’ clothes were torn during the confrontation and accused the government of adopting an authoritarian approach towards protesters.
The Congress leader said the party would remain united in raising its voice on issues concerning democracy and constitutional rights.
