Poor bearing maximum brunt of BJP’s pro-rich policies: Sawhney
JAMMU, Jun 2: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Tuesday staged a massive protest against the spiraling prices of essential commodities, fuel, cooking gas, and other daily-use items, with a large number of party workers, supporters, and local residents participating in the demonstration held in the Bahu constituency of Jammu.
The protest, organized by Latish Sharma, block president Bahu Block was held under the leadership of Yogesh Sawhney president DCC , Jammu Urban and presided over working president of J&K Congress and former minister Raman Bhalla.
The protest witnessed participants raising slogans against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and demanding immediate measures to control inflation and provide relief to people reeling under the rising cost of living. Protesters carried placards and banners highlighting the increasing financial burden on common households, farmers, traders, labourers, and salaried employees.
Addressing the gathering, J&K Congress Working President and former minister Raman Bhalla alleged that the unprecedented hike in the prices of essential commodities was a direct consequence of what he termed the “pro-rich and anti-poor economic policies” of the BJP-led NDA government.
Bhalla said that soaring prices of food grains, edible oils, vegetables, pulses, cooking gas, petrol, diesel, medicines, and other household necessities have pushed common people into severe economic distress. He alleged that while large corporate houses continue to benefit from government policies, the poor, middle class, farmers, and small traders are struggling to make ends meet.
“The BJP government had promised ‘achhe din’ and relief to the common man, but the reality is that inflation has reached alarming levels. Every section of society is suffering due to the continuous rise in prices. Household budgets have been completely disrupted, and people are finding it difficult to meet even their basic needs,” Bhalla said.
He accused the Centre of failing to check inflation despite repeated assurances and claimed that the burden of price rise has fallen disproportionately on weaker sections of society. According to him, the increase in fuel prices has had a cascading effect on transportation costs, ultimately leading to higher prices of essential commodities.
Bhalla said that unemployment and inflation together have created a difficult situation for youth and economically weaker sections, forcing many families to cut down on basic expenditures. He urged the government to reduce taxes on fuel, strengthen market regulation mechanisms, and introduce measures aimed at protecting consumers from rising prices.
“The government’s priorities appear to be focused on benefiting a select few, while the common citizen continues to suffer. Congress will continue to fight for the rights of the people and raise its voice against policies that are hurting the poor and the middle class,” he said.
District President Jammu Urban and former minister Yogesh Sawhney also launched a sharp attack on the Centre, alleging that the government’s economic policies have widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
Sawhney said that inflation has become one of the biggest challenges facing the country, with the prices of essential commodities witnessing a steep rise over the past few years. He claimed that the continuous increase in the prices of food items, LPG cylinders, electricity, and fuel has placed an unbearable burden on ordinary families.
“The common man is being forced to pay more for every essential item required for daily life. Families are struggling to balance their budgets, while small traders and businessmen are also feeling the impact of rising costs. The government’s policies have failed to provide relief to the people,” he said.
He alleged that despite repeated public concerns over inflation, the Centre has not taken adequate steps to control prices or improve the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
Sawhney further said that women managing household budgets are among the worst affected by the continuous rise in the prices of food items and cooking gas. He urged the government to take immediate corrective measures to reduce inflation and provide targeted relief to vulnerable sections of society.
Several senior Congress leaders, office-bearers, and activists also addressed the gathering and expressed concern over the rising prices of essential commodities. They accused the BJP-led NDA government of ignoring the hardships faced by common people and failing to fulfil its promises of economic relief and better living standards.
The speakers maintained that inflation has emerged as a major issue affecting every household and reiterated the party’s commitment to continue raising public concerns through democratic means.
Several senior Congress leaders and party functionaries also addressed the protest and expressed concern over the rising prices of essential commodities and the increasing burden on common people. Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion were former District Congress Committee (DCC) Jammu Urban President Manmohan Singh, Bahu Assembly In-charge Satish Sharma, PCC Headquarters Jammu Co-Incharge Iqbal Dar, Kewal Krishan Jogi, Bhavishya Sudan, Vijay Verma, Vijayant Pathania, Sanjeev Katal, S. Parveen Singh, Bunty Bhalla, Atul Sharma, Sahil Shavitra, Suresh Bangotra, Gopal Sharma, Ram Lal, H.L. Chalotra, P.C. Sagotra, Kundan Lal Dalitra, Mangat Ram, Dev Raj Khokhar, Dinesh Kumar, Paras Ram, Parvat, Rahul Salotra, Babli Devi, Harvinder Kour, Banwari Lal, Tara Ram, Bitti, Kewal Sharma, and Shindhi, among others. They reiterated the party’s demand for immediate measures to curb inflation and provide relief to the people affected by the soaring cost of living.
The protest concluded with Congress leaders demanding urgent intervention by the Centre to bring down the prices of essential commodities, fuel, and cooking gas. They warned that the party would intensify its agitation across Jammu and Kashmir if concrete measures were not taken to provide relief to the people from the burden of rising prices.