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| Refugee Problem Jammu deserves special attention | | | Neha
JAMMU, Nov 6: Jammu has over the years become a land of refugees. Over one lakh refugees from West Pakistan -- mostly members belonging to the depressed classes -- have been leading a wretched life in Jammu since 1947. They migrated to Jammu to save their life. Even after over 64 years of independence and forced migration these refugees have failed to obtain citizenship rights despite repeated passionate pleas and protest demonstrations. Their life is nothing but a hell on earth as they are considered a community who don't deserve human rights, including the right to education and vote. No authority cares for them. All those who matter in the state and at the centre focus only on the prosperous Kashmir and the people it houses. Such is the attitude of the authorities and in a country described as democratic, secular and pluralistic.
Jammu also houses nearly one million refugees from Pakistan-occupied-Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). They had, like the refugees from West Pakistan, also left their original habitat in 1947 to escape their physical liquidation at the hands of the votaries of the pernicious two-nation doctrine and save their honour, culture and religion. They left behind properties worth millions and millions of crores. They have been struggling since then to obtain compensation and proper rehabilitation, but with no result. As a result, they continue to suffer. The authorities remain unmoved and always offer crumbs to them to conciliate them. Such is the perverted thinking of the authorities. They, instead of focusing on the persecuted and hounded out communities, focus only and exclusively on the rather prosperous and all-powerful Kashmir and its privileged people.
In 1989-1990, Kashmir witnessed genocide of the miniscule minority of Kashmiri Hindus. Several Hindus lost their lives. Several Hindu women suffered. Their religious places were vandalized. The fanatics created an environment that left the Kashmiri Hindus with no other option but to quit their homes and hearths and migrate to Jammu and other places of the country. It happened in early 1990. Ever since then, they are longing for a dispensation that induces them to go back to the Valley and lead there a dignified life in their homeland invested with Union Territory status. But nothing has come out of their passionate pleas. Most of them continue to lead a miserable life in the unlivable camps, including the newly-built and "unsafe" Jagati Township. The displaced Kashmiri Hindus, like the refugees from West Pakistan and the POJK, continue to confront a situation that makes them believe that they are not part and parcel of the Indian society and that the authorities, instead of redressing their grievances, have abandoned them to placate Kashmir and its people.
Jammu not only houses refugees from West Pakistan, the POJK and the Kashmir Valley but thousands and thousands of original inhabitants of the Jammu province also stand uprooted from their original habitats. They are refugees of a different variety. The areas which have witnessed migration in Jammu after the state was engulfed by secessionist and communal violence in 1989 include the erstwhile Doda district, Rajouri district, Poonch district and the erstwhile Udhampur district. They left their homes and hearths to escape the fanatics' ire and wrath. They migrated years ago, but no one is interested in their well-being, happiness and rehabilitation. Then, there are border migrants. They abandoned their homes to escape the Pakistani wrath and help the Indian State defeat the Pakistani onslaughts. They should have been taken care of for their sacrifices and contribution, but the authorities have not done anything concrete to mitigate their woes. Such is the attitude of the authorities in a state called a welfare state.
And, then, there are the original inhabitants in Jammu province. Their number is more than three million. Their plight is miserable and their life pathetic. In fact, they constitute the most neglected lot in the whole of the country. New Delhi considers them irrelevant and perpetrates on them injustice after injustice. The situation has virtually climaxed to the point that their very identity is under grave threat. New Delhi acts as an agent of Kashmir and Kashmiri leadership and virtually despises the people of Jammu province, including refugees of all varieties, under the misguided notion that the conciliation of the neglected people of Jammu province might "hurt the psyche of Kashmir and Kashmiri leadership".
Paradoxically, the Jammu leadership, like the authorities in the state and at the centre, also makes common cause with the anti-Jammu forces, thus further adding to the woes of the already rather neglected people of Jammu province. It only pays lips service and remains busy in politicking and seeking personal favours, including security cover - security cover because it considers it a symbol of "self-esteem and honour". Take, for instance, the state BJP leadership. Instead of fighting for the cause of Jammu as well as the national cause, it is moving heaven and earth for getting a security cover.
And, the story goes on like this. It is difficult to predict when the Jammu's night of discontent and despair would draw to its close and a new day of just hopes and aspiration dawn. |
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