Senior Congress leader Karan Singh on Tuesday termed the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit sarpanch by militants in Jammu and Kashmir as a "despicable act" and said targeting him was part of the continuing attempt to disrupt grassroots political structure.

Singh, the former Sadr-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, said regardless of party or religious factors, this act needs to be severely condemned.

"That Pandita belonged to the minority community makes his killing even more painful. My deep condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family," the former governor of J&amp;K said.

Ajay Pandita, a Kashmiri pandit sarpanch of the Larkipora area in Anantnag district and a member of the Congress, was shot dead by militants in his native village on Monday.

"The gunning down of Ajay Pandita in his orchard was a despicable act.

He was part of the grassroots political structure as a Sarpanch, and his targeting was part of the continuing attempt to disrupt this," Singh said.

Senior Congress leader Karan Singh on Tuesday termed the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit sarpanch by militants in Jammu and Kashmir as a "despicable act" and said targeting him was part of the continuing attempt to disrupt grassroots political structure.

Senior Congress leader Karan Singh on Tuesday termed the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit sarpanch by militants in Jammu and Kashmir as a "despicable act" and said targeting him was part of the continuing attempt to disrupt grassroots political structure. Singh, the former Sadr-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, said regardless of party or religious factors, this act needs to be severely condemned. "That Pandita belonged to the minority community makes his killing even more painful. My deep condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family," the former governor of J&K said. Ajay Pandita, a Kashmiri pandit sarpanch of the Larkipora area in Anantnag district and a member of the Congress, was shot dead by militants in his native village on Monday. "The gunning down of Ajay Pandita in his orchard was a despicable act. He was part of the grassroots political structure as a Sarpanch, and his targeting was part of the continuing attempt to disrupt this," Singh said.

Killing of sarpanch in Jammu and Kashmir attempt to disrupt grassroots political structure: Karan Singh

Veteran Congress leader and last prince of Jammu and Kashmir Karan Singh&nbsp;on Thursday said that he is not in favour of the blanket condemnation of government's decision on the state, saying there are several positive points.

He also welcomed the reorganisation of the region and the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/do-these-people-even-know-what-ladakh-is-bjp-lawmakers-passionate-speech-wins-hearts-241193"> Union Territory status for Ladakh</a>.&nbsp;

"Ladakh's emergence as a Union Territory is to be welcomed. In fact, "I had suggested this as far back as 1965 when I was still Sadar-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir when I had publicly proposed reorganisation of the state", he said in a statement.

He also supported the scrapping of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-article-35a-heres-all-you-need-to-know-240752">provisions of Article 35A</a> as the issue of gender-discrimination needed to be addressed. According to Article 35A, Kashmiri women who married a non-permanent resident were stripped off their "state subject" status.

However, he condemned the government's decision to sideline the two main political parties of Jammu and Kashmir - the Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference - before deciding to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-point-by-point-rebuttal-amit-shah-takes-on-congress-in-fiery-speech-after-abrogation-of-article-370-241181">scrap Article 370</a>.

He said that leaders of both parties have made many sacrifices for the cause of India.

"I would, therefore, urge that leaders of legitimate political parties in Kashmir should be released as soon as possible and a broad-based political dialogue initiated with them and with civil society in view of the drastically changed situation," he said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Veteran Congress leader and last prince of Jammu and Kashmir Karan Singh on Thursday said that he is not in favour of the blanket condemnation of government's decision on the state, saying there are several positive points.

Veteran Congress leader and last prince of Jammu and Kashmir Karan Singh on Thursday said that he is not in favour of the blanket condemnation of government's decision on the state, saying there are several positive points. He also welcomed the reorganisation of the region and the Union Territory status for Ladakh. "Ladakh's emergence as a Union Territory is to be welcomed. In fact, "I had suggested this as far back as 1965 when I was still Sadar-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir when I had publicly proposed reorganisation of the state", he said in a statement. He also supported the scrapping of provisions of Article 35A as the issue of gender-discrimination needed to be addressed. According to Article 35A, Kashmiri women who married a non-permanent resident were stripped off their "state subject" status. However, he condemned the government's decision to sideline the two main political parties of Jammu and Kashmir - the Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference - before deciding to scrap Article 370. He said that leaders of both parties have made many sacrifices for the cause of India. "I would, therefore, urge that leaders of legitimate political parties in Kashmir should be released as soon as possible and a broad-based political dialogue initiated with them and with civil society in view of the drastically changed situation," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Several positive points in Centre's move on Jammu and Kashmir, says veteran Congress leader Karan Singh

Warning that the Congress party will disintegrate if no action is taken soon, Karan Singh on Monday pitched for the appointment of an interim president until the next election of the party.

"I strongly urge the Working Committee to meet without delay, perhaps under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and take necessary decisions. These would include an interim Congress party president until the next party elections," he said in a statement on Monday.

"In my view, four Working Presidents/Vice Presidents, one each for the four zones - North, South, East, and West. This would enable the introduction of younger people into positions of authority," he added in the statement.

"The longer the present uncertainty remains, the more will our workers and voters around the country be demoralised. The negative cycle must be reversed before it is too late," Singh further said the in the statement.

Speaking to ANI exclusively, Singh said he has not suggested any names for the posts.

"I have not suggested any names. I did not want to mention any names as it will be a decision of the party as a whole," he said.

"The Congress party seems to be in disarray after Rahul Gandhi's resignation. Instead of moving forward, we wasted over month pleading him not to resign. He is an intelligent man. If he wants to resign, let him do so," he said.

He said that a lot of people genuinely want Rahul to carry forward the party but one must honour his desire.

Responding to the argument that many people claim the Congress will disintegrate if Rahul steps down from the post of president, he said,&nbsp;"That is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I say the reverse. If you do not do something soon, then the party will disintegrate."

Singh further stressed that there would be no opposition if the Congress party gets disintegrated.

"It is a fact that we are in a difficult situation. It is important the Congress should revive not only for the party itself, which has a very old and distinguished background but also for democracy. In a democracy, you need a strong opposition."

"If the Congress party disintegrates, which party is going to provide strong opposition? If something like this happens, then there will be only regional parties. So, it is important for the Congress to get its act together and move forward," he said.

Replying to a question if the Congress party would move ahead without Gandhi scion, he firmly said,&nbsp;"Why not, I see no reason. We need to bring younger people to the party. It should be a judicious mix."

Warning that the Congress party will disintegrate if no action is taken soon, Karan Singh on Monday pitched for the appointment of an interim president until the next election of the party.

Warning that the Congress party will disintegrate if no action is taken soon, Karan Singh on Monday pitched for the appointment of an interim president until the next election of the party. "I strongly urge the Working Committee to meet without delay, perhaps under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and take necessary decisions. These would include an interim Congress party president until the next party elections," he said in a statement on Monday. "In my view, four Working Presidents/Vice Presidents, one each for the four zones - North, South, East, and West. This would enable the introduction of younger people into positions of authority," he added in the statement. "The longer the present uncertainty remains, the more will our workers and voters around the country be demoralised. The negative cycle must be reversed before it is too late," Singh further said the in the statement. Speaking to ANI exclusively, Singh said he has not suggested any names for the posts. "I have not suggested any names. I did not want to mention any names as it will be a decision of the party as a whole," he said. "The Congress party seems to be in disarray after Rahul Gandhi's resignation. Instead of moving forward, we wasted over month pleading him not to resign. He is an intelligent man. If he wants to resign, let him do so," he said. He said that a lot of people genuinely want Rahul to carry forward the party but one must honour his desire. Responding to the argument that many people claim the Congress will disintegrate if Rahul steps down from the post of president, he said, "That is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I say the reverse. If you do not do something soon, then the party will disintegrate." Singh further stressed that there would be no opposition if the Congress party gets disintegrated. "It is a fact that we are in a difficult situation. It is important the Congress should revive not only for the party itself, which has a very old and distinguished background but also for democracy. In a democracy, you need a strong opposition." "If the Congress party disintegrates, which party is going to provide strong opposition? If something like this happens, then there will be only regional parties. So, it is important for the Congress to get its act together and move forward," he said. Replying to a question if the Congress party would move ahead without Gandhi scion, he firmly said, "Why not, I see no reason. We need to bring younger people to the party. It should be a judicious mix."

Appoint interim Congress president until next party elections: Karan Singh

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Killing of sarpanch in Jammu and Kashmir attempt to disrupt grassroots political structure: Karan Singh

Several positive points in Centre's move on Jammu and Kashmir, says veteran Congress leader Karan Singh

Appoint interim Congress president until next party elections: Karan Singh