Jammu: The Congress on Thursday staged a protest rally in Dansal, Nagrota, raising issues including the alleged NEET paper leak, restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, civic amenities and unemployment.
The protest was led by J&K Congress working president Raman Bhalla and chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, along with other party leaders, according to a Congress statement.
Addressing the gathering, Bhalla demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and called for reforms in the examination system. He also sought an independent probe into the alleged financial irregularities related to the Ram Temple trust.
The Congress leader accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of delaying the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the existing administrative arrangement had affected governance. He also highlighted issues including water and power shortages, unemployment and the monkey menace in parts of the Nagrota Assembly constituency.
Bhalla further demanded early elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions, saying local self-governance was essential for addressing public issues at the grassroots level.
Addressing the rally, Ravinder Sharma criticised the Centre over the alleged examination irregularities and called for reforms in the education system. He also reiterated the party’s demand for the restoration of statehood and raised concerns over unemployment and governance, the statement said.
Several local leaders also addressed the gathering, while a number of people joined the Congress during the programme, the party claimed.