Srinagar, Aug 6 (KNS): Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Pawan Khera on Thursday said the Congress supports the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and favours constitutional safeguards to protect the rights of its people, while stressing the need to heal public grievances before pursuing political dialogue.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Khera said his visit to Kashmir was not driven by politics but by a desire to understand the concerns of the people.
"I have not come here for politics. I have come to listen to the people of Kashmir," he said.
Referring to the constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir, Khera said the statehood taken away from the region should be restored and its residents should receive constitutional guarantees to protect their land, resources and employment opportunities.
"The youth of Kashmir have a right to jobs. The people of Kashmir have rights over their land and resources. They should receive constitutional guarantees for these rights," he said.
The Congress leader also expressed concern over the prevailing situation in the Union Territory, saying many young people remain in jail and meaningful dialogue has stalled.
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Asked how the Congress intended to move the political process forward, Khera said the party believed the first priority should be addressing the suffering of the people.
"The idea behind Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra was to heal wounds first. If people are wounded, you cannot begin by talking politics. First, the wounds must heal," he said.
Khera acknowledged that successive generations in Kashmir had experienced different political parties and approaches, but said the future course should be shaped by the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth.
"What comes next and what the future relationship should be will be decided by the people of Kashmir, especially its youth, along with all of us," he said.
Reiterating the Congress's position, Khera said the party remained committed to its principles and would not alter its stand for political convenience.
"Our party and Rahul Gandhi do not change their tone or sell their conscience," he said.(KNS).