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| An angry and disillusioned Jammu on the war path | | | M.M.Khajooria
Ever since independence, Jammu has been on the receiving end. Subjected to blatant discrimination and denial of basic rights , they were cheated in the name of "national interest". The sweep of injustice was wide enough to negatively impact their legitimate share in services, economic progress, infra structure development and share in political power . Their constitutionally mandated representation in legislatures was muzzled through series of conspiracies .The list of grievances and betrayals of people of Jammu could be multiples 'ad-nasium' It never occurred to the simple , trusting and nationalist people of Jammu that their self-appointed protectors could turn persecutors and tormentors. Ironically, the enormity of treachery was revealed after they had given massive unprecedented mandate to BJP both in 2014 National elections and subsequent elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative assembly. Their votes were obtained in the name of Hindu consolidation , termination of Kashmiri over lordship and the commitment to ensure that "BAAP_ BETEY" aur "BAAP_BETI" Ki SARKAR would not be allowed to wield power .Each and every allegation in the "Gandi Sayasat" lexicon was flung at the two 'dynasties' and a Hindu chief Minister promised on the strength of Mission= plus forty four. Come success in polls yielding unprecedented 28 seats , the party to their utter horror decided to land in the lap of what was sarcastically described "BAAP- BETTI" Kashmir centric dynastic combination. The BJP central leadership nonchalantly thumb printed the Agenda of Alliance , a document that negated all that the Hindutva outfit had stood and struggled for in all its incarnations .The proclaimed "miracle" of bringing the North and South pole together actually translated into Jammu based party shifting its own goal post from south to the north pole. Any surviving illusion was shattered by the style and conduct of governance by most ministers representing Jammu in the state cabinet. It started with the government decision to "shift" AIIMS earmarked for Jammu to Srinagar. The pubic endorsement of the agitation and 'Bandhs ' should have woken up the party and its leadership, but it did not. Promises were made and broken. The credibility of the men in power touched the lowest ebb. Jammu became disillusioned, frustrated and angry. Time had come to shout "Enough is enough" and stand up to be counted. A movement to retrieve their legitimate stature in the polity , restore self respect and dignity and secure their democratic rights was the need of the hour. Thus was born "Jammu for India" "Stand up or Perish" was the theme of its first largely attended seminar held in Jammu on 22nd of May .I was invited to participate in the seminar, which I did.
The civil society initiative should, I believe become the vehicle for assertion of the identity of Jammu and mobilization of all patriotic and nationalist forces for securing due share in governance , development and political determination. Only in this manner can a place of honour in the states' secular democratic dispensation and a bright future for our youth could be ensured . Speaker after speaker laid emphasis on the urgency of public mobilisation for launching a decisive struggle . The gathering which significantly comprised of large number of young activists and civil society leaders holding elected positions from all over the region responded vigorously, enthusiastically and vehemently .
I also urged "Jammu for India" to stand along our people held hostage by Pakistan in POK and Gilgit -Baltistan ,who were denied their fundamental human rights , suffered untold hardships, and subjected to persistent persecution, torture and Ethnic cleansing . Its commitment to ensure adequate relief package and humanitarian and civilised treatment of Lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits squeezed out of Kashmir by the lethal combination of Pak agents , imported Mullahs and local goons must be transparent and total. Their return to the land of their ancestors must be with dignity, safety and guarantee of freedom to exercise all constitutionally mandated rights and liberties . And they alone can and must determine whether the situation was favourable for their return or not
Jammu was a gorgeous bouquet of flowers of diverse colours , shades and genre . The combination was simply amazing. The community in majority in the region was in minority in some districts. Same was the pattern in districts and Blocks down to Panchayats. Unity in diversity was our real strength. Having said this let it be emphasised that the onus of reaching out and winning over the confidence of the minority communities and gel with their hopes and aspirations at the regional level squarely rested with the majority. Similar duty fell on the shoulders of the majority community in districts in respect of those in lesser number in Blocks and so on . A secular ,democratic and united Jammu was crucial for the survival of the composite State of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of the great Indian Republic.
In my first contact with Dalip Padgaonkar led inter-locators' group, I prefaced my presentation with the fallowing premise First, Stop using Jammu as a doormat only to clean shoes to enter the drawing room of Kashmir where alone serious dialogue would take place. We shall tolerate this no more . Two. We the people of Jammu were mature enough to determine what was in the national interest and act accordingly. Three. Delhi holds no special power of attorney from us to speak on our behalf . we were capable of speaking for our selves. There appeared to be a broad consensus that Jammu region- an administrative and political entity haloed by history of one hundred and sixty nine years togetherness - home to followers of various faiths, castes creeds and tribes living in peace and harmony should endorse and adopt this dignified stance.
The mischief to project this Jammu civil society initiative as anti-Kashmir must be anticipated and pre-empted by un ambiguous and un-equivocal declaration that people of Jammu bore no ill will towards their fellow citizens of Kashmir. There was no conflict of interest between common people on both sides of Pir Panchal. Jammu had issues with the Ruling class and anti-national elements so did people of Kashmir , may be different context. Jammu, on its part had established its secular credentials by welcoming Kashmiri Muslim brethren forced to migrate due to fear finding their lives , honour and future of their children in peril in ninety nineties.
The powers that be in Delhi must show sensitivity and concern for the collective feelings of hurt, anger and sense of let down that agitated the brave people of Jammu, who were a precious national strategic asset. Attitude of arrogance, self-righteousness and resort to vendetta will only further enhance the alienation and complicate the situation . The solution lay in an honest introspection, practical wisdom, sound political judgement and requisite timely policy course correction. The ball was now in the court of the new Rulers in New Delhi. |
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