Congress leader Pawan Khera sharply criticized the BJP-led Central government for its inability to curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing it of resorting to “jugglery of words” to mask its failures. Speaking during a chain hunger strike organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) to demand statehood restoration, Khera highlighted ongoing security challenges, including a prolonged anti-terror operation in Kulgam.

“In 2016, the BJP promised demonetization would end terrorism. Their promises are empty—they don’t know how to govern, only how to distract with new dramas daily,” Khera told reporters, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He pointed to the Kulgam encounter, now in its 10th day since August 1, 2025, where two Army personnel were killed and nine injured, while two terrorists were neutralized in the Akhal forest area.

Khera demanded transparency on how terrorists infiltrate, citing the recent killing of attackers in Pahalgam. “It’s good they were eliminated, but how did they enter? How many more are out there?” he asked, urging the government to address these gaps. He also criticized the Union Territory framework, noting that the Lieutenant Governor holds more power than the elected government, hampering effective governance. “With tied hands, progress is tough,” he said.

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The Congress leader further slammed the Centre’s foreign policy, alleging it has left India isolated. “No nation stood by India after the Pahalgam attack or during Operation Sindoor. Neighbors like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are against us, and superpowers like America and China work against our interests, with Pakistan exploiting this,” Khera said. He referenced the 1971 war under Indira Gandhi to underscore India’s historical strength, contrasting it with what he called Modi’s weak image abroad, especially in light of U.S. tariff hikes on Indian goods. “Trump sees Modi as India, but India is far bigger,” he asserted.

The JKPCC’s hunger strike reflects growing frustration with the Centre’s handling of security and governance since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370. Congress leaders, including Ravinder Sharma, have accused the BJP of diverting attention from terrorism, unemployment, and delayed statehood restoration, pointing to rising attacks in Jammu, once considered peaceful. Since January 2023, civilian and security force casualties in Jammu have nearly doubled, with incidents in Kathua, Doda, Reasi, and Kishtwar exposing security lapses.

As the Omar Abdullah-led government navigates these challenges, Congress demands a robust anti-terror strategy and full statehood to empower local governance, warning that the BJP’s “Naya Kashmir” narrative has collapsed amid escalating violence.

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