Chanakya Charan Dass “Tikri”
Sham Lal Sharma, the BJP Legislator from Jammu North, has set a cat among the pigeons by seeking the creation of Jammu state, de-hyphenated from Kashmir.
This is not the first time that he has spoken about it. Even as a minister in the Omar Abdullah Government in 2010 he had bravely and unequivocally raised this demand as he was miffed by the “semi secessionist” attitude of the then Government that was regularly, though obliquely pandering to the sentiments of the anti-national Kashmiri “outfits” and in many cases was in alignment with the utterances of the anti-India forces from across the border. Such attitude of the political dispensation of the time and that of the Kashmiri political parties was obviously an anathema to the nationalist people of the Jammu region – across the 10 districts of the province.
Someone who is a keen observer of Kashmir (especially after 1996/2000) will recall that there was a competition for pandering to the separatist ideology among the local Kashmiri political parties to demonstrate as to who was more “separatist” for garnering the votes of the electorate. They would regularly come up with one formula or the other, such as “Autonomy Resolution” of the National Conference & “Self-Rule” of the Peoples Democratic Party.
If one party wanted pre-1953 status the other one batted for elimination of borders between the two parts of JandK (POJK & JandK), use of dual currency (ie both, the Indian currency and the Pakistani currency) and nullification of Article 356 (application of Presidents rule in a state/UT) in its applicability to JandK.
In fact, the PDP’s “Self-Rule” was closer to the Musharaff’s “four-point plan for JandK that would effectively have resulted in backdoor entry of Pakistan into the affairs of JandK and sealed the fate of the people of JandK forever.
So, herein lies the rub!!
While the Kashmir political class was toying with ideas that would have made Indian rule in JandK almost irrelevant and handed over JandK to Pakistan on a silver platter, what was the position of the people of Jammu? Were they ever consulted or taken into confidence for matters related to JandK? Never!!
Now look at the following situation:
JandK came under Governor’s/President’s rule eight times since 1947. A closer look will reveal that the total period through which JandK has been under Governor/President’s rule has been more than 14 years – 14 years out of 78 years!! Is this a healthy situation for a democracy? More precisely, was Jammu region involved at any point in time in creating a situation in JandK for imposition of the central rule? No!!
It was always the machinations of the Kashmiri politicians that created situations for imposition of the central rule in JandK and the people of Jammu province suffered for no fault of theirs. The “demotion” of JandK from a state to the Union Territory is also a response of the union Government to the often-created ruckus and chaos by the Kashmiri politicians. The policy of Kashmiri political class since 1947 of “running with India and hunting it with Pakistan” left no alternative for the Government in Delhi to apply a new template, a new formula, that could bring some kind of peace in the area.
The fate of Jammu province is such that the only Chief Minister of JandK from the province since 1947, Gulam Nabi Azad, was not allowed to complete his tenure. Conditions were created where he had to resign in a huff. This, even after he had declared in the beginning of his tenure as the CM that his family belonged to Kulgam district of Kashmir and had migrated to Gandoh-Bhalesa area of District Doda in Jammu. This revelation had no impact on the “fitnabaaz” Kashmiri politicians. They had no love lost for him and he was “violently” eased out prematurely from Chief Ministership of the state. It is to the credit of Ghulam Nabi Azad that in his short tenure as the CM of the state he had initiated several development projects in the Jammu province, especially in the oft-neglected tourism sector.
Predictably, Sham Lal’s clarion call for creation of the state of Jammu, de-hyphenated from Kashmir has raised hue and cry from several quarters from Kashmir as well as Jammu. Several political parties and individuals from Jammu have also opposed it. This is very much on predictable lines. Jammuites generally, “excepting an exceptional handful few” are content with the title of a “deputy” attached to their title. That is why they relish being “Deputy” Chief Minister or maybe only a minister. This virus has seeped in the collective consciousness and psyche of the Jammu politicians (irrespective of whether they are Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians) so deep that they don’t want to be a Chief Minister. The result is that the “deputy” always tends to look back over his/her shoulders to confirm whether his/her Kashmiri political boss/leadership is happy with him/her or not. Any act by them that marginally favours Jammu will see their exit from the government!!
Therefore, a government that has won elections on the back of the electorate from Kashmir and come to rule JandK, cannot be expected to be fair to Jammu.
Under the conditions, how is Jammu going to prosper?
This is a case akin to undivided Andhra Pradesh. People of Telangana always felt that it was the politicians from Andhra Pradesh who, because of their clout in the legislature, were neglecting Telangana at the cost of the present-day Andhra region. They stood up against the discrimination and finally Telangana was separated from Andhra Pradesh. Presently, the people of both the regions are guiding their own destinies.
The voices from Kashmir are also operating along two different lines.
Overwhelming majority is in total opposition to what Sham Lal Sharma said. Some politicians are diplomatic. The more mischievous ones are also bringing the Dixon plan to the fore for terrorizing the people of Jammu and the nation. They are forgetting that the Dixon plan, like the UN resolutions on JandK has been cast into the dustbin of history.
The one reality, over and above any man-made resolutions is the geography of the Kashmir Valley as created and annunciated by God. A look at the satellite photographs of the Valley shall reveal the exact extent of the Valley. Anything beyond that is either Jammu or Ladakh. Politicians of JandK must keep that in mind.
As far as Jammu is concerned it is a heterogeneous mix of various cultures, traditions, languages & dialects. It is home to Hindus of all castes & denominations, Muslims (Sunnis & Shias), Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists. Besides a huge population of Kashmiri Hindus have found their abode here after they were terrorised out of Kashmir Valley in 1989/90. Later many Kashmiri Muslims too built their dwellings & mansions in Jammu to escape the harsh winters in Kashmir. Many of these dwellings were built on illegally occupied forest and government land. Do you find any person from Jammu, of any denomination acquiring any property in Kashmir? No, but why – a moot question?!
Jammu encompasses 10 districts that comprise of 63% of the total territory of J&K. More than 12 languages & distinct dialects are spoken in Jammu as compared to one language spoken by more than 98% of the population of Kashmir.
Jammu is also home to various tribes such as Gujars, Bakarwals & Gaddis adding colour & lustre to the rainbow that is Jammu. There are thousands of migrant workers engaged in several trades in Jammu from, UP, Bihar, Bengal, MP & also from several southern Indian states.
At the same time Jammu can have a genuine pride in giving shelter to a large population of Pakistan refugees & those from POJK dating back to 1947. Well, you also have illegal Bangladeshis & Rohingyas ensconced here, practically permanently – whether you like it or not. (Why are they not settling in Kashmir?!)
In fact, today, Jammu is the most secular of the territories of J&K. Can the same be said of Kashmir? Unfortunately, not!!
The concept of Jammu state, as stated by Sham Lal Sharma, though old, has gained currency once again as the idea is to protect this very important & strategically located secular space in the north of India & strengthen the nationalist & secular forces in a strategically located territory. It has nothing to do with religion, caste or creed.
A Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or Buddhist chosen as the CM of a Jammu state shall be answerable to the people/electorate of the 10 districts of Jammu and shall not have to look over his/her shoulders to Srinagar (in fact Gupkar) for any kind of ratification.
He/she will be guiding the destiny of the people of Jammu. He/she will be the CM of the people of Jammu, elected by the people of Jammu, working for the people of Jammu!!
That is why Jammu state is essential for the people of Jammu and the strength of the Indian nation. Kashmir can have its way and prosper. Jammu will always wish it well.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
