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| CAMPAIGN AGAINST REGIONAL DISCRIMINATION MISSING | | | By DR. GURMEET SINGH | 9/15/2009 10:21:27 PM |
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Right from the June 24 to 31 August 2008, over an year now, when an unwarranted non-issue of Forest land initially was transferred to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and then cancelled under pressure, by the then Govt. leading to tremendous unrest in the State and thus hurting the sentiments of Jammu people simply for the Vote Bank and created a chaos between the two regions on communal lines. Who has won, who has lost, is not the question? “Hundred dollars question is what Jammu has gained out of it”? What happened to the God-gifted mass movement & unprecedented ‘Agitation’ beyond anybody’s imagination, which Jammuites saw over 60 days, now, has even lost its track? If I recall those days, war like atmosphere was created, mud-slinging, allegations and counter allegations, hue and cry slogans over land row, discrimination, delimitation and regional imbalance lauded the air and sky, even abusive language, communal passion on Mobile, sms service, created the worst kind of situation. Effigies of political leaders were burnt daily, discussions and solutions to overcome the crisis appeared on TV channels offered by the elite class of the society round the clock was the only amusement for the apolitical society of the Jammu.
Golden opportunity with unprecedented voluntary support extended by the great people of this region of all shades and of course the blessings of almighty thou Lord Shiva over the land controversy to SASB has played a pivotal role to awaken the consciousness of the Jammuites, have all gone waste due to narrow and selfish thinking of the divided leadership of this unfortunate region. Especially the “SANGARSH SAMITI” (Supported by Bar Association, Industry and commerce, transport and other agencies ) who have failed to palpate the pulse and mood of the people of this region to maintain and preserve the post agitation strength in letter and spirit to provide viable and acceptable political platform by evolving a new party and symbol on regional lines to fight back politically with the already existing regional parties (e.g National conference ruling since long and PDP) taking collective support from BJP, congress and panthers party leadership of this region to fulfill the aspiration of the Jammuites.
Not doing so, itself indicates slavery and lack of political will, prevailing in various parties leadership and Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti and as well as people of this region since ages who failed in their responsibilities to preserve the interests and aspirations of this region.
In this regard, I recall the contents of my article “CHANGE WHAT WE NEED” appeared in STATE TIMES on 14th, 15th and 16th August 2008 in which “I sincerely advised the people of Jammu that this time, if we failed to ‘Pass the litmus test’ and if Jammu people participated in coming elections as usual and supported the existing parties without applying any innovative and political statesmanship and allowed the spirit and spiritual strength of mass movement agitation to ‘die down’ its own death, it shall prove a disaster for Jammuites”.
What happened after assembly elections Dec’2008 need not be explained. What change did BJP bring after gaining the strength from 1 seat to 11 seats with the support of SASS and inciting the religious passion and sentiments of the innocent people of this region? Moreover, the tall claims and promises made during the elections regarding the gross discrimination over the 61 years Jammuites, under neglect in all fields, have been badly forgotten by the concerned political parties to mitigate the miseries of the people of this region and also provide viable and accepted solution to POK Refugees and other migrants, apart from the issue of discrimination, delimitation, regional council etc, and to keep watch on developmental activities regularly are missing. Moreover the spirit and strengths of unprecedented agitation have ever seen any time before by the Jammuites in history of protest, have totally disappeared and look as if nothing had happened, people enlarge as usual have started hailing those leaders whom once they called as Traitors (Jaichand) during the land row agitation last year. What is this? Are we hypocrites? Are we living in self deception? Are we playing double roles? Have we lost the National character, moral and ethical values? What miracle has happened suddenly to the people of Jammu that all existing discrimination since independence has been removed over night after the formation of coalition (NC+Congress) Govt. whom we have already tested in the year of 1987 and which proved to be instrumental in introducing the worst kind of cross border terrorism which resulted in the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pt’s from Kashmir in the late 1989-90s. One more feather was attached in the history of State migration complicity.
A simple issue of central university is simmering and again forcing the Jammuites on the path of agitation. I think Govt. of the day is least interested in the development works rather than keep people busy on non-issues i.e sex scandal, CAPD scams and watching protest rallies all over across the State happily, Valley Bandhs and protests by the separatists on unwarranted issues. The most precious time during the assembly was wasted discussing irrelevant issues.
SRTC employees only protesting for the release of their salary, protests and dharnas have become the fashion of the day, nobody listens to anybody. This is for the first time in History that Govt. employee pensioners have been denied their 6% D.A. increased with the regular employees. What kind of accountable and committed Govt. is this? Even the implementation of 6th pay commission in letter and spirit during election campaign promised by the National Conference to the State Employees has been denied till date.
Here, I would be failing in my duty if I do not mention the eccentric leadership of SASS, who misguided the innocent people for pronouncing in their daily statements that this samiti is totally a non-political body and is only confined to revoke the controversial order over land Row to SASB and further said that we have nothing to do regarding the regional discrimination. In spite of the fact that they have not listened to their main supporter Bar Association’s president Mr. B.S. Salathia who tried tooth and nail that the “Issue of discrimination” should be included with the historic land row agreement with the Govt. held on 31st August 2008. In contrary to It, Mr. Leela Karan, advocate and head of the Samiti has opposed the idea. But what he has demonstrated by entering into the Lok Sabha fray that too on BJP’s ticket, need not to be elaborated. This has brought a shameful situation for those non political organizations and other people of Jammu belonging to all walks of life irrespective to their affiliation, caste, colour, creed, race, region and religions, who have supported the agitation wholeheartedly at the cost of losses of human lives and crores of rupees. For that promises, made by the leader as well as Govt. level to compensate to the business sufferers and other categories have been proved to be ‘Big Fraud’. Instead of protests, our trade leaders are busy in welcoming and facilitating those who were responsible for cancelling the land Row order and brought situation grim. It is pertinent to mention here that the suggestions which I have offered during agitation through my articles i.e.
1. “Who has won who lost”? Dt 1/7/08
2. “Suggestions to overcome the present crisis in J&K” Dt. 13/8/08 (Which was endorsed and replied by then the union Home Minister’s office secretary)
3. “Change what we need”. Dt 14th , 15th , and 16th August 2008 In which I have suggested to the Sangarsh Samiti that you have achieved the goal by reverting the order back over land row controversy by the unprecedented support of the people.
Now time to avail this golden opportunity to come far ward and play a key role to awakened the consciousness of Jammuites against the apathetic attitude of valley leaders as well as Kashmir centric central leadership to ward Jammu region.
Now it is prime duty and responsibility of the ‘Sangarsh Samiti’ to evolve a new socio-political leadership to fight independent election with new faces of high – caliber enjoying acceptable reputation in the society belonging to all walks of life under the banner of new party and symbol i.e. “JAMMU PEOPLE UNITED SANGARSH FORUM” (JPUSF) on regional lines although I do not support regionalism but under the peculiar circumstances like our J&K state which is already enjoying the special status under article 370 and ruled by regional party National Conference (very popular in the valley ) since the Independence as well as in Jammu since 80’s. NPP is also struggling since 1983. It is not fair if not mentioned the fast emerging another regional party i.e. PDP who had made deep dent and given a setback to N.C. in 2002 and recently held elections of 2008 respectively.
So, in the light of prevailing political scenario and geographical position of State, where the Kashmir problem is simmering since Indo-Pak aggretion in 1947 and created the Azad Kashmir and responsible for Pok refugee problem followed by two Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971 respectively which resulted in the problem of borber migration. In 1989-90, migration of Kashmiri pandits took place due to suddenly emerged ‘Gun Culture’ and cross border terrorism created worst kind of situation in the valley and made the Kashmir problem more complicated and Pakistan got the chance to spread terrorism across the country especially after the attack on Babri Masjid on Dec 06, 1992. Since then, country is facing worst kind of cross border terrorism and inside terrorism respectively due to the unending chain of reaction. Due to these reasons, Jammu was being neglected since then and needs to redress regional line because the National level parties i.e. Congress or BJP has no role to provide any kind of justice in such prevailing conditions because both the parties at the time of power look forward to safeguard the interests of Kashmir because of its special status and International position. So therefore it is very necessary to evolve regional party for Jammu region to safeguard the interests and aspirations of deprived people of this region. Have a region wise debate on it and then evolve a viable and acceptable solution otherwise, history and coming generations will never forgive us. We are lacking towering leadership and political maturity, commitment and sincerity compared to valley.
Sooner we realize this vacuum and start thinking in this direction, a better tomorrow we shall build in the larger interest of people and generations of this region.
At last, being a Sr. citizen, this is my earnest appeal to all the respected legislative belonging to Jammu region irrespective to their party affiliation, please sit together to evolve a collective action plan under one umbrella to register their protest regarding discrimination for the common cause in the interest and welfare of Jammu Region.
“BAREH GOR SE SUN RAHA THA ZAMANA. HAMI SO GAYE DASTAAN KAHTE KAHTE”
How better it would be if all the legislatives of this region collectively under their signature register their protest and issue a joint statement regarding the establishment of Central University in Jammu for which site has already been identified in Samba region to show their solidarity and commitment towards the people of this region. What is the hitch? Who has obstructed them? Anybody among you please explain as this the current burning question simmering in the mind of students and people of this region.
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