Srinagar, October 2: The Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Friday commemorated the birth anniversaries of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Congress Bhawan, 5-M.A. Road, Srinagar.
The function and floral tribute ceremony was presided over by senior Congress leader and former legislator Bashir Ahmad Magray, In-Charge JKPCC Headquarters, Srinagar, while the proceedings were initiated by Dr. Audil Farooq Mir (Lasjan), President, District Congress Committee Srinagar.
Congress leaders and workers paid floral tributes to both national leaders and recalled their immense contributions to India’s freedom struggle, nation-building, democratic values, secularism and public service. The leaders recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring message of truth, non-violence and moral courage, and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s legacy of simplicity, integrity and selfless service embodied in his historic call of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
The leaders said that Gandhi’s message assumes renewed significance at a time when questions concerning the independence of democratic institutions and the protection of constitutional values are at the centre of national political debate. They emphasised that paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi cannot remain merely ceremonial; his legacy also represents the democratic tradition of peacefully questioning authority and standing firmly for constitutional principles.
Following the commemorative programme, Congress leaders and workers attempted to take out a peaceful “Vote Bachao–Desh Bachao” protest march from the JKPCC Headquarters towards Lal Chowk, raising the Congress Party’s concerns over electoral processes and the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
The protest was led by Dr. Audil Farooq Mir (Lasjan), President DCC Srinagar, along with senior Congress leaders, District and Block functionaries, Youth Congress, Mahila Congress, Seva Dal and party workers.
As the protesters attempted to proceed peacefully towards Lal Chowk, security personnel deployed outside the Congress Headquarters stopped the march from proceeding further.
Congress leaders and workers thereafter continued their peaceful demonstration outside the Party Headquarters, raising slogans concerning electoral transparency, institutional accountability, protection of democracy and the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
Among others who participated in the programme were senior Congress leaders Raman Mattoo, former Minister; Abdul Rahim Rather (Ex-MLA); Abdul Gani Khan; Nisar Ahmad Mandoo; Dr. Waleed Tariq Karra; Waseem Ahmad Shalla; M. Shareef Beigh; and Waseem Raja, Yasir Mandoo besides Block Presidents, Youth Congress leaders and workers, Mahila Congress members, Seva Dal, party functionaries and a large number of Congress workers.
