Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Karra, on Saturday, began a hunger strike in Srinagar, demanding the restoration of the Union territory’s statehood. The protest, part of the party’s ‘Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq’ campaign, was launched at the JKPCC headquarters on M A Road. Senior party leaders, including AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir and several Congress MLAs, joined Karra in the demonstration. A similar hunger strike will be held in Jammu on Sunday, PTI reported. The movement seeks to reverse the Centre’s 5 August 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A, and to downgrade and bifurcate the former state into two Union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.Karra said the party has launched a “struggle to awaken the blind, deaf and dumb government in Delhi”. “We selected this day as it is the day when the ‘Quit India Movement’ was launched. From August 9 to 21, the party will observe six hunger strikes across various districts of J-K,” he said. Karra emphasised that the peaceful protest was being held for the wishes and aspirations of the 1.40 crore citizens of J-K. He added that with the Parliament session currently underway, the party would wait to see if there was any progress on the restoration of statehood. “If there is no development, then on August 21 (when the session ends), a new programme will be given,” he said.