news details |
|
|
| ET answers some FAQs | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Aug 8
A delegation of top political leaders of the country will be arriving here tomorrow to study the situation arising out of the protracted agitation on Shri Amarnath Shrine land transfer issue. Since it is not a political party but a unique conglomeration of several outfits spearheading the agitation, the EARLY TIMES brings here some home truths for knowledge of the visiting team. There are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the ongoing agitation, which our editorial team has tried to explain:
* What is SAYSS?
The Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti was initially a loosely knitted conglomerate of 30 odd organizations to agitate against the government decision of withdrawing land earlier allotted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Today, every organization that exists on this part of land is a constituent member of SAYSS –whether it is a trade union, doctors’ association, mohalla committee, students union or even a morning walkers’ association. The other day a lesser known student leaders called up our office to drop a news lead from the old city, when asked about his identity, he first identified himself as a ‘solider of Samiti’ and then the name. He is one among the thousands of the Samiti members across Jammu region.
* Who is Leela Karan?
Until recently, Advocate Leela Karan Sharma was not known to many even in Jammu. Today, if somebody wants to know more about him one can ask BBC, Reuters, CNN or even the Washington Post. A Google search will throw thousands of results for Leela Karan as a leader spearheading an agitation representing aspirations of the people of Jammu region. Then it will not be an understatement to say that by know his name must have been known in Islamabad and Washington as well. New Delhi, perhaps, still fails to understand what Leela Karan stands for.
* Why are people on roads?
A majority of people refusing to resume the normal activity of life are in an unending sloganeering which is heard as “Bum Bum Bhole…”. A wide majority of them is largely unaware of the basis issue. What all they know is that sentiments of the Hindus have been hurt. Above all they are convinced that the voices from Jammu are not taken care of –neither by Secretariat, nor by Raj Bhawan and not at all by New Delhi. Therefore, they are in no mood to go homes and sleep well or eat well till the land is restored to the Shrine Board. This will do two things –one that it will restore the hurt confidence of Hindus and other that this will be a first sign of assertion of Jammu.
* Why are youths ready for bullets?
It is a widely known fact that a prolonged and unattended patience always bursts into violent reaction. Jammu is actually a land of valiant soldiers, the savour Generals and territorial expansionists. It is a land of nationalist sentiments. For long the sons of this land were told to endure everything in the national interest. Now when the endurance is overstretching and national interest is not seen as a valid cause, they have hit the roads leading anywhere –may be death. So they have declared to keep their chests bare for bullets wherever they come from.
* Why is Jammu shut?
Jammu does not have any significant industrial base. Its economy is essentially based on trade. What you sell in the day and count in the evening actually defines economy of Jammu. An average shut down of a day costs Jammu’s economy anything Rs 250 Crores upwards. This has so far not disappointed the local businessmen. Earlier during the brief shut downs the riches of the town would slip out to nearby holiday stations to make days with families. This time around the leading industrialists, businessmen and traders are not only staying back in the town but are also leading the processions and protests. They are also contributing to the two-square meals of those protesters who used to work for the day to eat in the evening. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
