Congress' big announcement for Kashmiri Pandits in its manifesto

In a surprising development, Congress has made a big promise to Kashmiri Pandits in its manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka polls.

The grand old party has said that it will allot Rs 15 crore to start Kashmiri Culture Centre in Karnataka. "To allot Rs.15 crores to start Kashmiri Culture Centre Allotting one time grant of Rs 25 crore and annual grant of Rs. One crore from the Department of Kannada Culture," the manifesto read.

Photo Credit: File photo of Kashmiri pandits

The manifesto, called as 'Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota' (Peaceful garden of all communities), was released by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge in the presence of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief DK Shivakumar and other leaders.

The five big promises made by the grand old party are: Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi and Shakti.

It has promised to give 200 units of free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, 10 kg rice free of cost to every Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, a monthly cash assistance of Rs 2,000 under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme to every woman head of household, Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders every month for two years under the Yuva Nidhi scheme and free travel for women in public buses in Karnataka.

Notably, Congress has said that it will ban organisations such as Bajrang Dal and PFI that spread enmity between the communities.

"The Congress Party is committed to take firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste or religion. We believe that law and Constitution is sacrosanct and can not be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations," the manifesto read.