Rahul Gandhi Links Himself With Kashmiris, Says 'My Family Must Have Also Had Same Jhelum Water'

Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Srinagar connected with the locals and said, "I am a little bit of a Kashmiri myself".

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi in Srinagar

Srinagar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Kashmir for the first time since Article 370 was abrogated. He addressed the Congress workers today and linked himself to the soil of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. He explained that before Delhi his family lived in Allahabad and previous to that in Jammu and Kashmir.

While connecting with Kashmiris, Rahul Gandhi said that my family members must have also had Jhelum water, I am a little bit of a Kashmiri inside myself. Coming here feels like coming home.

In the meantime, he said that the strength of Jammu and Kashmir is brotherhood, the way of life. He said the essence of Kashmir is in the foundation of India. Praising the people of the Valley, Rahul said that what you can lovingly get the people of Jammu and Kashmir to do can never be done with hatred and violence.

Amid the ongoing stalemate in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the people in the Valley, that the government is not allowing us to speak in the Parliament. I cannot speak on Pegasus, Rafale, J&K, unemployment in Parliament, he said.

Addressing Congress workers, Rahul Gandhi said that the Central Government is attacking all institutions in the country. The media is being suppressed. He said that the media is afraid they might lose their jobs if they write anything against the government.

Rahul Gandhi also targeted the centre on Article 370 abrogation in Kashmir and the Congress workers should lead a campaign for the restoration of full statehood. He also said "free and fair election" should be held in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing party workers in Srinagar on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi said: "We demand the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and free and fair elections here".