‘Unheard voices of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Unity Foundation today held a seminar on the topic of “Unheard Voices of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh” bringing together the unrepresented communities of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir including Dogras, Gujjars, Gilgit-Baltistan, West Pakistan refugees, Kashmiri Pandits and Ladakhis.
The panelists in unanimous voice said that the abrogation of Article 370 is a historical moment and it has dismantled a hegemonic order controlled by Kashmiri Sunni Muslims. They said Jammu and Kashmir was never Governed on a principle of participation and equality. Patriotic segments of population of Jammu and Kashmir belonging to all communities had been always discriminated and marginalized.
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This dangerous approach led to the growth of separatism and pan-Islamic fundamentalism in the State. It is an imperative necessity that the new order created by reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir State into two Union Territories will usher in an era of equality, participative democracy, balanced development and peace.
Ajaat Jamwal, president JKUF in his opening remarks said that six months have passed after Abrogation of Article 370 and reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir State into two Union Territories and it is time to take stock of things so that the revolutionary changes percolate down to the grassroots and Govts in the UTs and the Centre are made aware of the currents, cross currents and undercurrents at people’s level. A lot needs to be done to clear the mess of the previous hegemonic political order during past 72 years in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Capt Sikandar Rizvi in his opening remarks highlighted two historical tragedies, one the partition of India in 1947, its impact on Jammu and Kashmir particularly the genocide of Hindus and Sikhs in PoJK and the genocide of Hindus in 1990 in the Kashmir Province. He said they were monumental tragedies which were ignored and denied.
Maj Gen Jamwal said that Dogras have been the pedestal on which the secular order has been sustained despite the commitment of the past Govts to partisan and communal interests. Infact, Jammu region has suffered immensely and the Dogra people who built the State of Jammu and Kashmir were humiliated not only by subjecting to unjust and biased political treatment but also humiliated by distorting their contributions.
Lobzang Angchuk from Ladakh said that the Ladakh region has faced utmost neglect during past 72 years and whatever tourism potential has been exploited is not just a iota of what the region can offer. He said that Kashmiri leadership exploited the people of Jammu and Ladakh and no opportunities of jobs, employment, development, tourism were provided to us. He said that Ladakh UT was the persistent demand of the people of the area and now we hope to proceed on a path of unprecedented development.
Dr Chrungoo said that a dejure Muslim State of Jammu and Kashmir has been dismantled. We cannot allow a UT to become a Union Communal Muslim Territory. For reversing the past order, the genocide inflicted on Hindus of Kashmir is reversed, measures are taken to prevent the impending genocides in Jammu province. We hope that now Ladakh will move towards an era of uninhibited progress..
Advocate Monika Kohli said that after abrogation of Article 370, female population in the JKUT has been given equal rights and we hope that the new era is an era of emancipation and upliftment for the women folk of J&K. She said that earlier the women from Pakistan and England could become citizens of J&K and even their off-springs could become Chief Minister of the State but the women citizens of J&K who married outside J&K were stripped off of all rights. Now with new order in place, all such discriminations will stop.
Labha Ram Gandhi, West Pakistan Refugees leader said that WP refugees are experiencing a period of the liberation. We have suffered for a long time. We have been humiliated for a long time. Now finally, we are the equal citizens of this Nation and we will leave no stone unturned to nourish peace, progress and prosperity of JKUT.
Sohail Malik, Amit Gupta, Dr Gopal Parthasarthi, Dr Mahesh Koul, Shahid Hussain, Dalbir Singh, Parag Abrol, Ashwani Sharma, Opinder Ambardar, Dr Ramesh Tamiri, Sukhdev Sharma also spoke on the occasion.
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