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| How political parties ignored Jammu sentiments | | Tax on Mata Vaishno pilgrimage | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Sept 22: Imposition of tax on Mata Vaishnu Devi pilgrimage seems to have exposed the dirty underbelly of politics in Jammu, as almost all political parties kept their condemnation confined to symbolic statements, which have started to fade just within a fortnight.
Unlike the Valley, where voice of people is generally supported by mainstream and separatist camps alike, Jammu continues to be a story of neglect as not a single party emerged strong enough to launch a sustained campaign seeking revocation of the orders on the tax on pilgrimage.
While the BJP, which was voted to power by people of Jammu, preferred power over resistance to the orders issued by Finance Ministry led by PDP's Haseeb Drabu, other parties, obviously, proved, no different.
From National Conference to Congress, all seem to be sailing in the same boat where party interests are given preference over public sentiments.
Earlier this month, a major row erupted after the state Government imposed 12.5 per cent service tax on the pilgrims travelling by chopper to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Trikuta hills of Katra in Jammu division. Soon after the imposition of tax, it was Congress which correlated the taxation with 'jazya', which Mughal emperors would impose on non-Muslim subjects.
"Is this Modi's definition of jazya on pilgrims to Vaishno Devi? Is it BJP-PDP's version of jazya on pilgrims of Vaishno Devi," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters in New Delhi on September 8.
National Conference's provincial president for Jammu division Devinder Singh Rana said the tax "is yet another uncalled for measure to avert the attention of the people from the failures of the Government."
"After imposition of heavy toll tax on the road leading to the holy shrine, this is yet another measure to put extra burden on pilgrims, which may boomerang," Rana said.
But the NC's concern didn't move beyond statements. This is despite the fact that the party is bracing to fight the beef ban in the Assembly in favour of Kashmir. If NC is so concerned towards the people of Kashmir in getting the beef ban revoked, why no similar concern for Jammu people in fighting the tax on pilgrimage?
The other main regional party, the ruling PDP, is silent over the tax issue, though its leadership too speaks in support of slaughter of bovine animals.
The coalition ally BJP, on the other hand, never put forth a strong case before the Government, though it was formally apprised about the development at the September 7 Cabinet meeting. While the party leadership led by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh didn't confront Finance Minister over the taxation, till now the party has even not submitted a formal memorandum before the Chief Minister.
Coming out of fortnight long slumber, J&K National Panthers Party on September 19 staged a demonstration outside the Raj Bhawan in Jammu demanding revocation of the taxation orders.
JKNPP chairman Harshdev asked the BJP-PDP coalition Government to explain why there is subsidy to Haj pilgrims on one hand and imposition of tax on Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims on the other.
The protesters took out a procession in the old Jammu city which passed through Dhounthily Bazar, Pacca Danga, Rani Park. But this party which is led by noted lawyer Prof Bhim Singh has equally been unable to chalk out a roadmap to challenge the tax orders.
Observers opine that the Jammu leadership confined their displeasure to symbolic statements as they didn't find the issue news worthy. "When the politicians found beef controversy gaining more media publicity, they shifted their attention from the tax issue," said an academician who has remained associated with Jammu University.
He said over the years the people of Jammu and their aspirations have been taken for granted and that the tax controversy was the worst example of neglect.
Katra Hotels and Restaurants Association president Rakesh Wazir has been saying that imposition of tax is unjust, unfair and unwise which needs to be withdrawn with immediate effect.
"More than one crore pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi shrine every year, but look at the condition of roads, lanes, drains and the sanitation. Levying tax on the pilgrimage and that too when it is promoting the tourism can never be justified and as such it needs to be withdrawn with immediate effect," said Wazir. |
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