Col J P Singh
There is a visible kink in political power sharing in J&K which gives rise to regionalism. Events of 1947 affected different regions of J&K differently and the divergent aspirations of the regions influenced the state’s future course of action. In the name of national interest, New Delhi pushed three regions of J&K into prolonged protracted zero sum game in which Kashmir enjoys superiority within the state. The internal politics of J&K marked by inter-regional tensions has influenced the attitude of the people and their external affiliations. It also developed a local nationalism in three regions ie alienation in Kashmir Valley, sub-nationalism in Jammu and ultra-nationalism in Ladakh. As a reaction to the politics of Kashmir, people of Jammu and Ladakh took the special status of the state as favour to majority community (Kashmir) at the cost of the minorities. Denial of land for temporary structures for Amarnath Yatris was followed by furious agitation in Jammu region. Its counter agitation in Kashmir pitted two regions in open confrontation. Pro Azadi agitation in the valley of 2010 enhanced the distrust and widened the gap. Apart from politics, the crux of tensions also lies in the physical barriers, long distances, inaccessibility, climatic variations, linguistic variations, sharp socio-cultural and religious differences which hinder the process of inter-regional interaction and integration.
Regional disparity has been reported, highlighted and spoken since accession. Gajendragadkar Commission constituted in 1967 candidly admitted injustice to Jammu region. It observed ‘although Jammu and Kashmir has been single political entity for over a century, it cannot be denied that geographically, ethnically, culturally and historically it is composed of three distinct homogenous regions. It recommended formation of statutory regional development boards for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Even Sikri Commission reported ‘existence of discrimination and favourtism’ in the fields of development, education and employment. Regional Autonomy Committee appointed by state in 1998 under the chairmanship of Sh. Balraj Puri also recommended formation of Regional Councils with delegation of specific legislative and administrative powers to the elected representatives of the councils and delegation of rest of the powers to the three tier Panchayat Raj System.
The long standing demand of fair empowerment of three regions of J&K has created a legacy which had been changing the tone and tenor every now and then. An unprecedented regional volcano erupted in Jammu in 1967 when 4 students were killed in police firing while agitating against shifting of Agriculture and Ayurvedic colleges from Jammu to Srinagar. Another regional agitation sprouted in 1978 starting from Poonch and spread like wild fire in the entire Jammu region. It was purely a regional reaction to injustice and discontentment. Jammu Mukti Morcha was formed in 1990 to demand separate state for Jammu advocating that no half way measures such as Regional Council, Regional Development Boards or regional autonomy or a similar frame work can provide durable solution. Trifurcation, it felt, was the only remedy. Hence ‘trifurcation’ and ‘regional councils’ have been the discourse since decades. The demand waxed and waned when era of coalition entered J&K politics. It gave hope and opportunities to Jammu and Ladakh in raising their grievances in the legislature and have them resolved. Hence the demand of statehood lost sheen sans under-estimating its potentialities.
Empowerment of Jammu & Ladakh was vigorously taken up with Interlocutors appointed by the Central Govt in 2010. Concerted efforts were made by the interlocutors to understand aspirations of Jammu & Ladakh regions. I was part of one deputation which met Mr. Dalip Padgoankar with a memorandum highlighting discrimination with Jammu. Many others brought out similar concerns. The essence of various arguments was growing clamour for political equality with Kashmir and effective say in the affairs related to their region. Interlocutors received simmering view points with an open mind and analysed them realistically. In their report, they brought out that grave injustice has been done with Jammu, Ladakh and minorities. Taking cognizance of discrimination, they recommended regional councils for three regions with their political, economic and financial autonomy.
The concept of regional autonomy is spelled out by M M Khajuria, former DGP J&K in his book “Concepts and Contours of Regional Autonomy”, released on 21 January 2018. Giving a brief on his book, he stated that under the Dogra rule, the dependencies of Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan were allowed to run their own affairs according to own traditions and culture and the remaining area of princely state was sub-dived into three provinces on the basis of culture, language and geography which were Jammu, Kashmir and Frontiers. It is to the credit of rulers and administrators of that time that they harmonized the baffling multiplicity of history, geography, culture, language and traditions. This is what is missing under the present regime, he stated. Universally acclaimed disparity / discrimination seems be at the back of his mind for writing his treatise on the sensitive issue agitating public mind since decades. He opines that establishing ‘regional councils’ is the only solution for an equitable development of all three regions of J&K’ for which he has given a roadmap.
Currently the future of Jammu is in question, not the integrity of J&K. A point to note is that one Pakistan of 1947 became two countries in 1971. There were only 94 countries in the nineteenth century. Today there are 193 members of UN. BIHAR, MP, UP & Andhra have been divided. Division of a State, if it addresses the aspirations of people, must be considered. BJP’s unprecedented electoral gains in the last elections in Jammu region from 1 to 11 seats in 2009 to 25 in 2014 represent growing public resentment against Kashmiri domination and secessionism in the valley. Unprecedented mandate was given to BJP to fight for the rights of Jammu region. BJP can’t afford to be oblivious to the ground realities. However the perception is that BJP is over looking them.
The question today is, will regional aspirations of Jammu be met or ignored as before? I hope it will, because, there is too heavy a baggage of the past between Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, leaving very little to be ignored. Coming to the crux of the issue ‘why the demand? It will be a folly to ignore realities. The reality is that Jammu and Ladakh boys/girls find no names in govt job lists. They go to the court to get justice. Jammuites are posted in Kashmir, Ladakh and Doda whereas officials from there are posted in Jammu. Daily wagers are paid more in Kashmir than Jammu. Representation of Jammu in the Secretariat is 5 % when its area and population is more. MLA from Kashmir becomes the chief minister, home minister, finance & planning minister. Tourism, horticulture, minerals and various revenue and employment potentials of Jammu are given rough shod. Stone pelter and militants of the valley are rehabilitated sympathetically. Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) administers Jammu & Ladakh, Radio Station in Jammu is Radio Kashmir Jammu, JKAP is under KPS. POJK was POK till recent past. Holiday demand on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary is laughed at while birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah is celebrated. None could be more privy to discrimination than Mr. Khajuria whose honest recommendations must be respected by the govt.
Will Jammu get a Regional Council recommended in “Concepts and Contours of Regional Autonomy”, or the one recommended by Sh. Balraj Puri or Interlocutors. If not, will demand for statehood prop up more vigorously? The present govt must see the light of the day and clear the proposal out rightly in the cabinet meeting because the leaders and ministers of the coalition govt are often heard declaring that all regions will be treated at par and will get equal share in developmental and employment. Unless regional councils are formed and inter- region harmony ensured, Pakistan factor of fishing in the troubled waters and secessionism in the valley may not be neutralised. As a layman, I feel, if the regions are to develop and inter-regional tensions addressed, Regional Councils have to be formed. If the regions have to grow and prosper in future as part of New India, Statehood and Union Territory is the only way out. Depends what Jammu wants!
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