Sir,
Please refer to the news item “Provocative statements by ACC unjustified: Sethi” (DE. July 19).
The BJP’s attack on AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC), which has been spearheading movement for the setting up of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu for more than two months now, was as unwarranted as it was ill-timed and ill-conceived. No one in Jammu would endorse the BJP view that the ACC breached agreement. It appeared to be a sign of its frustration and helplessness. The uncalled for attack also suggested that the BJP had not appreciated the ACC which did nothing whatsoever after June 18, when the BJP Ministers gave a written assurance on AIIMS to the ACC, which could even slightly disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu region. Its leadership did hold meetings with members of civil society across the region on a daily basis to educate public opinion on the whole issue of AIIMS and on the circumstances under which it launched movement for AIIMS, withdrew the 72-hour-long shutdown call and suspended hunger strike, but these activities of the ACC could not be by any yardstick construed as a breach of agreement. The ACC did not organize any protest demonstration or organized any march to register its protest against the BJP, J&K Government and BJP-led NDA Government after June 18. On the contrary, it repeatedly hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his leadership and again and again pinned faith in him, saying he would surely appreciate the Jammu mandate and its nature and announce an AIIMS for Jammu during his Jammu visit. Of course, the ACC asserted that the people of Jammu region voted for Prime Minister Modi and not for the BJP during the assembly elections, but it is a fact. The 2014 mandate during the Lok Sabha elections was not a mandate for the BJP; it was a mandate for the would-be Prime Minister Modi. It is universally acknowledged. Similarly, the people of Jammu region also voted for the Prime Minister and not for the BJP candidates most of whom were just greenhorn in politics and unknown faces.
It would have been better had the BJP on July 18 reassured the agitating people of Jammu region that the authorities would fulfill the promise as per the deal struck between the BJP Ministers and the ACC members. By holding a press conference only to attack the ACC and accuse it of breaching the trust, the BJP has further estranged the already rather estranged people of Jammu region. It appears the local BJP leadership has failed to convince the party high command and the Prime Minister of the dire need to establish AIIMS in Jammu. The statement of the BJP that the “issue is being addressed at appropriate level as was promised” only indicates that the BJP still has to walk many miles. The statement has only vindicated the ACC leadership, which, instead of going complacent after June 18, made optimum use of the available time and kept the issue alive.
Youts etc…
Manoj Thappa
on e-mail
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