Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] : Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra on Monday clarified his earlier statement about India potentially holding talks with Pakistan, emphasizing that he had not mentioned anything about dialogue.
Speaking to the media, Karra condemned the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people. He expressed strong disapproval of the attack, saying, “We have condemned it in the strongest possible words. No ifs and buts in it, whatever Rahul Gandhi has said, the entire nation is with that and the entire nation is with the government.”
When asked whether he supports holding talks with Pakistan, Karra firmly stated, “No, I don’t.” He further clarified, “I have not said anything regrettable. This is simply a misinterpretation of things. Whatever I said is a reiteration of our leader, Rahul Gandhi. We said that wars have always brought devastation to both countries. I did not say anything about dialogue.”
Karra emphasized that the Congress party supports whatever the Indian government deems fit. “Whatever the government of India feels fit, the Congress party is with that, and we are in unison with the issue,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam during a special session. The resolution, moved by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, expressed strong disapproval of the attack, offering solidarity to the victims and their families.
The resolution highlighted the attack as an assault on the values of “Kashmiriyat,” the Constitution, and the spirit of unity, peace, and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, extending condolences to those affected.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah affirmed that he would not demand statehood for Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the attack, stating that his politics was not “so cheap.” While he reiterated his commitment to demanding statehood for the region, he stated that it would not be appropriate to do so at this time, when the country is mourning the loss of the 26 victims.