| To remain relevant in Jammu, Congress has to fight for its cause | | Soft secessionism and communalism | | Neha
Jammu, Aug 26: When the Congress became part of the State Government in 2002, the people of Jammu province had hoped that it would defend and promote their genuine cause and puncture the ongoing secessionist movement in the Kashmir valley. But the Congress acted otherwise. Instead of defending the cause of Jammu and defeating the secessionist and communal movement in Kashmir, it succumbed to what is being termed "soft secessionism and communalism" and turned out to be an "extension of the National Conference (NC) and similar other Valley-based outfits".
The people of Jammu province had great expectations from the Congress. A reference here to at least three would be in order. One, the "Congress party in the State will play a role in defeating the type of communal, semi secessionist and hegemonic politics practiced by parties like the NC". Two, "the Congress party would further strengthen the process of full integration of the State with the Union of India and decisively put a halt to the policies of neglect and discrimination against the Jammu province". And last but not the least, "the Congress party would adopt a nation-centric policy towards Pakistan and the militarised secessionism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir".
The Congress Party's election manifesto at that time had unambiguously enunciated that, "The Congress, if voted to power, shall amend Jammu and Kashmir Constitution to federalise the State polity and establish regional council for Jammu". This declaration had induced the people to vote for it, but their expectations, according to them, were belied. They say that "the Congress Party's joining an alliance with the NC and then tamely toeing its line on almost all issues concerning national security and integrity, remaining a mute or condescending partner to the NC in its relentless campaign for the removal of AFPSA and consequently the removal of Army from the State and becoming an active accomplice in the further marginalisation of Jammu has convinced them that the Congress Party has chosen to be merely an extension of the NC or more precisely the communal secessionist and hegemonic politics of the Valley". They also say that "they don't think that the Congress would ever play a positive role".
It is time for the Congress to take cognizance of the prevailing mood in Jammu province and act accordingly. It is a must if it wants to remain relevant in the political arena of Jammu province, which has again and again pinned faith in it but got nothing in return. |
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