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| Jammu : The Frontier Spoke | | | Col J P Singh (Retd)
62 days long agitation in Jammu was fun for various reasons despite losses and loss of precious lives because it was for the first time that Youth & Women force was in the forefront which added glamour & enthusiasm to the movement. This made Jammu empowered, confident and assertive. The motivation for the agitation was religious which has now passed on to the annals of History. Today that chapter is closed. Now the story is election and its outcome. A big suspense even for those who have jumped or pushed into the fray. Adverse reaction in the valley consequent to the land allotment to Hindu Shrine led to agitations, fall of govt and election. Hurriyat sparked the fuel of Azadi by pronouncing havoc in the offing using unethical phrases like ethnic & cultural invasion, demographic change, assault on religion, establishment of Hindu settlements like Israel – Palestine. The cancellation invited bigger & vigorous protests considering it a pre planned anti religious conspiracy. It deepened communal, regional and religious divide. Unprecedented agitations, call for Azadi and forced march to Muzaffrabad took every one by surprise and off guard. Massive curfew violations, killing & sacrifices in both the regions deepened the crisis. All that happened consequent to the land row is well known. Utter failure of self proclaimed political stalwarts especially selected by Delhi leadership to rule this turbulent state sowed the seed of separation. Isn’t it proved beyond doubt that those considered best proved worst. Leaders of Jammu not only let Jammu down once again but also played with public sentiments & humbled whatever little self pride had remained of Jammu. The issue of land may have been the spark to ignite the fuze but the powder keg of resentment was already packed deeply in the corrupt, inefficient and callous way of governing and treating Jammu differently from the valley. Unfortunately the consequences were not visualized. Shouting from roof tops of eliminating corruption rather increased arrogance and fees of corrupt officials and added to the public woes. Public perception of development projects was seen as making money by taking commissions prior each inauguration. Day to day problems of public and employment were ignored despite their peaceful protests and appeals. Disparities in emolument hurt the pride of Dogras. In retrospect the agitation was an accident which was just waiting to happen. Finally Jammu spoke and spoke in one voice and not yet that loudly as ought to have. It was protest against self esteem & Justice. It was heard world over. Delhi ignored it because of compulsion of trust vote and misinformation by Jammu politicians. Jammu is silent now but not quiet. Some voice has been preserved for future plain speak. This was evident in front of Abhinav Theatre when STF had to resort to firing in the face of public furry. Public protested against ban on holding a function for martyrs of agitation and hence the violence. No leader was seen guiding public. Public furry was spontaneous. Agitation gave birth to Jammu Gandhi (Sh. Leela Karan Sharma) seeking justice. Jammu spoke when public felt its sentiments hurt & self respect trampled. They displayed solidarity and inherent strength irrespective of party and religious affiliations. As a result agitation succeeded in restoration of land. Credit for this goes to the public for winning the first bout. The fight is on to get justice and empowerment in Panchayats, Muncipalities, employment and legislature. To achieve the goal public should reward such parties or people who stood with Jammu during the agitation particularly the Muslim Community & Migrants. But anti Jammu, anti India, anti election campaign continues in the valley. Jammu found the answer and showed the way to Delhi. Now the ball is in Delhi’s court. Balancing the imbalances in various regions lies with Delhi. To keep the state intact Delhi has to ensure justice with Jammu and Ladakh lest a Jammu Jinnah is born. Corruption & discrimination which is deep rooted in the administration and politics has to be removed. Election is a god gifted opportunity. Window of hope has opened again. Samiti leadership should continue fight against discrimination and show the way in this election lest the politicians divide and rule/fool the voters. No Captain has ever abandoned a ship even while it sinks. Jammu ship sailed proudly in the turbulence and should do the same in the election. Public should consider ways and means to change the corrupt system which has deprived us what it was to give us. We should elect those representatives who would fight for Jammu as the Kashmiris do for Kashmir and Ladakhis do for their home land. The birds of Jammu flock must fly together. Let us not always walk in the rain to hide our tears. Blunders committed again and again after six years may make generations to suffer the consequences for six to sixty decades. Let the coming generation not curse us for inaction despite golden opportunity. Politicians of Jammu must learn to sail together, or else they shall all drown separately. By adopting such like resolutions we shall be paying tributes to our beloved martyrs who gave their life for our happiness and prepare more martyrs if we don’t get justice. Election commission has given us a lemon; let us try and make a Jammu lemonade out of it.
Jis khet se Kisan ko muyassar na rozi - roti,
Us khet ke har khushai gandum ko jalla do. |
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