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| Electoral Gimmicks and the Bhai Dogru | | THE WAR DECORATED INDIA | | Dr Virendra K Sahi | 3/28/2019 10:50:07 PM |
| In the dirtiest pre-polls propaganda seen since independence, the people, their problems, their aspirations, ambitions, needs and even the means of honourable survival finds no place. There are broadly two factions. One, who are stunned out of power and wish to grab it back at all costs; even at the cost of the nation. The other, who have got into power after decades of struggle and wish to retain it, at all costs using all means at hand. In the din the actual issues of the people have lost sight. The scene in J&K is part of the same pattern as visible on the national screen. The regional mismatch in power is adding to the J&K State political configurations. Over and above the communal, pseudo secular, regional factors and the Azadi factions, the pro Pakistan, pro separatists' and Wahabi forces are also in play.
All these factions and factors are trying to keep the voters away from their real needs and aspirations to grind their own axes. As non- political, unbiased secular nationalist voters, let us ponder as to what we need; as a nation, as J&K State, as Jammu region.
The global reactions to post Balakot surgical Air strike, the US, UK and France on the same page against China about Azhar, the Israel support and the continued oil trade with Iran despite US sanctions, global recognition and the growing economy leave little in doubt about retaining the ongoing external posture and the team.
Looking inwards, at the national scene, does the nation really need a change? If so, do we need a change as it suites Pakistan? The Pakistani immature disjointed and uncoordinated leadership has time and again revealed and voiced their preference of what suites them. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Chidamberam, Digvijay, Obesi, Shashi Tharoor, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, Sandhu, Mamata, Mahbooba, Hurriyat Ringleaders and some more are great favourites of Pakistan. Should we oblige Pakistan as voters?
Critics do admire Modi in the centre but have reservations against the State BJP leadership. They are not much wrong; but is it feasible, practical and advisable to be governed by a lot divided at tangents? Most of the inexperience lot that got into power (in Modi wave) from Jammu remained subdued and less effective.
They failed to break through the 70 years long 'K' centric hegemony and safeguard the Jammu regional interests. Most selection boards, jobs and educational facilities, pending incomplete stalled projects, pending payments and unfulfilled promises prove that point. The overbearing Kashmiri leadership segment in one hand and, if insiders are to be believed, 70 years of 'planted' bureaucracy down to the lowest Babu and peon have defeated Jammu's aspirations. The trend continues even during the Governor's/ President's rule. A total overhaul is needed. A beginning has been made by recent ban of 'Aakas' of JI and JKLF; much more needs to be done before the corridors of secretariat can be put on a clean, unbiased, secular and efficient slate free from corruption. That needs time. The Jammu leaders of all hues have failed to understand the aspirations of this peace loving, amicable, tolerant cosmopolitan region of secular Dogras.
Jammu needs recognition as a seat of Dogras that founded the J&K State. Save the communal brotherhood of this region under attack from inimical forces.
It requires a strong, vigilant security network, firm handling of anti-national elements and miscreants, fast trek courts and exemplary punitive actions under law against those who disturbed peace and cause bomb blasts and raise pro-Pakistan slogans. This never got on the agenda of politicians.
Mubarakh Mandi and other historical monuments are deteriorating; Tawi Lake is a dream, like the non starter Gandola Project with its altered approach ignoring Mubarakh Mandi. The mishandled 8 Lakhs files of Achieves are fast vanishing. The archeological ruins tell a sad story of gross deliberate neglect and dis-concern by Jammu leadership.
Jammu needs special recruitment drive for border, Kandi, and remote area youths. They are frustrated and being lured to drugs rampantly peddled in the province. Projects of shelters and bunkers for border villages are moving at snail's pace. The education is disturbed with no alternative arrangement. No politician ever bothered about their miseries.
There is colossal discrimination in allocation of budgets which are kept pathetically low for the Jammu DD and AIR Kendras. Similar poor funding is made to promote Pahari/ Dogri languages in total discrimination.
The irrigational canals and distributaries are choked with silt and non functional and the Indian share of water is allowed to flow into Pakistan.
There are issues of creating colonies for Ex- Servicemen (ESM) in Kashmir Valley and acquisition of awarded lands for the two Fauji colonies in Jammu and Samba; but political parties never supported the demands.
Instead local politicians both in Jammu and in Srinagar have created hurdles by influencing the administration to the contrary. The martyrs' families, the War wounded and the Gallant Warriors are not properly looked after in comparison of other parts of the other neighbouring states of the country. The six percent job reservation for young ESM doesn't materialize. ESM want GST exemption on CSD canteens and increase of annuity to gallant warriors.
About the problems of daily wagers, Aganwari workers, MENRGA workers and home guards; Government has made repeated false promises which never materialized in absence of political will and support.
Refugees of 1947, 65 and 71 are persistently ignored by successive Govts. Even the sanctioned amounts are held back in a very slow process of disbursement. The onslaught on local demography is unabated not only from within the state, but from other states and even foreigners are forced on Jammu province to share resources, water, power, education, job opportunities, trade and living/parking space.
The condition of roads is bad in hilly areas where hundreds of people die in accidents. The rural roads are pathetic and accident prone, while the urban roads are overcrowded, encroached, with no planned parking and rowdy traffic management.
Jammu festival started as an effort for reviving and saving our culture -has become a mockery. No politician has ever bothered to voice for functioning of secretariat at both the capitals simultaneously. The Jammu population is at a loss for not being able to go to Srinagar in the prevailing conditions without any administrative backup.
The problems being faced by the Numberdars, Chowkidars remain unattended and the empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions is yet to become a reality.
There is gross dissatisfaction over rampant corruption, discrimination, nepotism, unequal distribution of funds, job/education opportunities and many schemes offered by the central government.
To top it all, the Lok Sabha nominations have clearly indicated a planned regional 'K' centric polarization. No PDP candidate from Jammu is to help NC/allies, while Kashmir retains its age old posture; where even stark rivals too can unite. Should Jammu support the 'K' centric design and continue to stay subdued, discriminated and suppressed under a pro- Pakistan design (now openly trumpeted) by both Kashmir based parties and risk a repeat of 1998-99? Should Jammu present a broken, divided and disunited front electing singular turn coat horses for post polls trading?
Or should Jammu learn from history and present a strong united singular front to get reckoned? More than just 'polls' it is a matter of survival of a whole race of Dogras (comprising all communities) pushed to a wall- in a do or die situation. Think before you fall prey to electoral gimmicks. Save yourselves and your posterity.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!! |
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