A wave of resentment is fast spreading among the people of Jammu. Their resentment is against shifting of the 1600-crore rupees prestigious project of All India Institute of Medical Sciences to Srinagar. Initially, the Centre had sanctioned it for Jammu and two Union Ministers had formally disclosed its Jammu destination in the recent session of the Parliament.
Civil Society comprising members of intelligentia are spearheading the agitation for restoration of the AIIMS to Jammu. Recently, some protestants also staged a dharna in front of Raj Bhavan in Jammu, and presented a Memorandum to the Governor demanding restoration of the prestigious project to Jammu. Their argument is that Kashmir region has already a very prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences besides the Medical College and SMHS Hospital. As against this Jammu region is far deficit in providing health care to the people of the vast region that is spread over the hilly sectors of Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Reasi. They believe it injustice with the people of all these areas to deny them the facility of standard medical institute. At several places in Jammu province, people took out protest rallies and sat on dharnas so that masses become aware of how the BJP has blatantly compromised their interests by surrendering the AIIMS to South Kashmir, which is the stronghold of PDP. They allege that the decision of shifting of the AIIMS is made on political basis and not on the need-base of the people. If it were need-based, then Jammu deserved not only the proposed AIIMS but also its affiliates as well in far-flung areas. Their argument is that taking into consideration the topography, demographic distribution, strategic location and present status of medical services of the region, there is strong justification that AIIMS should be located in Jammu.
Bar Association and several other political outfits including Pradesh Congress, Panthers Party, Provincial Youth Congress and Jammu State Morcha have embarked on massive protestation calling it discrimination against Jammu region.
Leaders of protesting groups have cast serious aspersions on the sincerity of BJP in keeping its promises made to the people of Jammu region during Assembly elections.
The point is that entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is in need of improved medical services. There is great need of improving and modernizing the old and outdated infrastructure in our hospitals and polyclinics. Additionally, there is need for advanced researches in health sector in this State. As such, inception of an advanced medical institute like AIIMS is a big step in improving the health services in the State. Topography, climatic conditions, life style, connectivity etc. of the three regions that comprise the State are not uniform. Naturally, interests of any one region cannot be promoted at the cost of the other region. That is unjust and non-democratic. Therefore, authorities have to be very judicious, pragmatic and sensible in planning the development of each region. No truly democratic regime will discriminate against any region or turn down certain privileges accruing to these. We believe that is the broad roadmap of all ruling parties in the State. There was an issue when some years ago a Central University was announced for Kashmir. Later on, after revisiting its policy towards J&K, the Central Government decided to have another Central University in Jammu and thus the issue was resolved. That formula could be workable in the case of AIIMS as well. The right thing to do was to allow the institute to come up in Jammu as planned but at the same time impress upon the central authorities for establishing a sister institute in Kashmir as well. Shifting of the AIIMS to Srinagar is a clear affront to the people of Jammu who will lose no time to label it a discriminatory decision of the Government.
Protestors have directed their ire mostly against Jammu BJP. They assert that despite a massive mandate to the party from Jammu region, it has compromised the interests of the region and allowed the shifting of the AIIMS to Kashmir, which according to their claim, has far superior and comprehensive medical health facilities than the Jammu region. Since Jammu BJP has not come out with any convincing counter point in support of it succumbing to the pressures of the coalition partner, it has invited the anger and wrath of the people and thus has become the target of their criticism. Members from Civil Society have organized demonstrations at all district headquarters, and the agitation is likely to prolong and become another debateable issue. Unfortunately, the lurking sense of discrimination has not left the Jammu subconscious mind; shifting of the medical institute will only add fuel to fire.
The State is facing many problems, some of which are serious and need immediate attention of the Government. Our developmental activity has slowed down considerably. New projects are suspended and the State is overtaken by financial crunch. In such circumstances, the administration has its hands full with urgent tasks to perform. It is unwise to do things that would bring more frustration to the people. This issue needs to be handled with patience and with care and consideration.
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