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| Congress again ignores discriminated against Jammu | | Manifestos for Kashmir, Ladakh | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 27: The Congress continues to adopt step-motherly attitude towards the people of Jammu province with whole help it ruled J&K for years either on its own strength or in alliance with the Kashmir-based NC or the PDP. On April 2, the Congress released its election manifesto in New Delhi with all top Congress leaders, including AICC president Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh speaking on the occasion. It promised many things to placate Kashmiri people, barring the internally-displaced Kashmiri Hindus.
Among other things it said: "Engage in dialogue with people of Jammu and Kashmir to find an 'honourable solution' to their issues. Two prolonged approaches will be adopted, firstly firmness on the border and ending infiltration, secondly 'absolute fairness' to deal with the demands of people. Review the deployment of Armed Forces, and the party plans to move more troops to the border to curb infiltration and furthermore reduce the presence of Army and CAPFs in the valley while entrusting more responsibility on the shoulders of the Jammu and Kashmir police. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in the state will be reviewed and 'suitable changes' will be made to balance the requirement of security and protection of Human Rights. The project of inclusiveness thus looks for 'innovative federal solutions' and dialogue with stakeholders in the state. Appointment of 3 interlocutors drawn from civil society to engage in talks without pre-conditions".
There was nothing whatsoever in this manifesto for the neglected people of Jammu province and trans-Himalayan Ladakh. It also didn't say a word about the Hindu-Sikh refugees from Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied-Jammu and Ladakh and Kashmir Valley and border migrants. On the other hand, there was everything in it for the people of Kashmir. In fact, it appeared that the election of the Congress had been prepared either by the NC or by the PDP ideologues.
And on April 25, the Congress released another manifesto. It was hoped that it would talk about both Jammu and the equally neglected Ladakh, but it was not to be. It talked only about Ladakh, thus suggesting that the Congress, like the NC and the PDP, has no place in its scheme of things for the suffering people of Jammu province and that it takes them for a ride.
To placate the people of Ladakh, especially Buddhists, and motivate them to vote for its candidate Rigzin Spalbar, the Congress manifesto held out many categorical assurances. It, inter-alia, said: "It will strive to achieve Union Territory status for Ladakh which is the long standing demand of people of Leh-Ladakh, include Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and open the Kailash Mansarowar road via Chushulk, Demchok and Chumur as per the feasibility for pilgrimage and promotion of trade. It will try its best to address all the issues related to defence procurement of local labour in different organisations, efficient and affective delivery in all negotiated contract like transports, vegetables, milk, fodder through various cooperative societies to the army and paramilitary forces, give preferences to local candidates in the recruitment of Ladakh Scouts Regiment, Para- military forces and other regiments of the Indian Army".
The Congress has only committed a political wrong by adopting a negative attitude towards the people of Jammu province and it will have to pay a very heavy price of unpopularity. |
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