‘Consultations better than coercion’
Govind Sharma
RAMBAN, Oct 20: People of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be subdued by the strong-armed measures and only a magnanimous reach-out can chart-out a new chapter of peace, prosperity and development in the Union Territory.
This was stated today by National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah while addressing back to back party conventions in Banihal and Ramban. The NC chief said that consultations are better than coercion. He said that the corrective measures initiated by the PM were a good start but the need of the hour calls for carrying it forward.
“Kashmiris, the People of Rajouri, Poonch, erstwhile Doda and Kargil cannot be subdued by strong-armed measures. Such things have proven abortive in the past and will prove vain in the future also. Democracies don’t work that way. Democracies ought to have institutionalized debate, discussions, and consultation and reach-out mechanisms. A magnanimous reach-out can only chart-out a new chapter of peace, prosperity and development in J&K,” he added. Click here to watch video
Lambasting the Centre for recent targeted killings in Kashmir by the terrorists, the NC chief questioned the Union Government of its projected dawn of a new era in Jammu and Kashmir post August 5, 2019. “Aren’t we told that August 5, 2019 decisions would bring lasting peace? Where is it then? Where is the much touted new dawn to bring job extravaganza for your educated and skilled youth? Where are those jobs? The projected Naya Kashmir by the ruling dispensation in New Delhi has proved to be a doomsday scenario for the people living on either side of erstwhile Doda and Rajouri, Poonch ranges,” he asked.
Dr Farooq said that the NC has all along been protecting the sub-regional heterogeneities of J&K but the incumbent dispensation at New Delhi, with its selective pick and choose policy, is allowing it to become a casualty of majoritarian narratives. NC, he maintained, is committed to take care of the sub-regional aspirations of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and Bhaderwah.
“NC has always voiced the genuine concerns of the people of Rajouri, Poonch and Doda and we will continue to do so. And to meet its end, BJP has put up its B-teams to divide the voice of the people in these far-flung areas. It is for you people to not allow such forces to take roots in your areas. It is a united voice that can save your future generations. The entire region is at a tipping point of history and any misstep at this juncture will have a bearing on your future generations,” he said.
The former MP said the claims of Government of India on J&K are far from reality. “There has been a systematic disempowerment of the people of J&K, particularly its youth. The claims of the BJP Government that the abrogation of Articles 370, 35 A paved the way for job creation, decreased violence, nurturing democracy, eradicating corruption have fallen flat. The ground situation belies these claims. Having nothing to show, projects sanctioned by previous NC led Governments are being shown as the outcome of abrogation”.
He said the reality on the ground is that the gap between the Secretariat and the people is widening with each passing day. “People, especially the youth of Kashmir, Rajouri, Poonch and erstwhile Doda district are feeling cheated. The alienation among the youth is at an all time high. The data released by various Central agencies also attest to the ground realities in JK. Before August 5, 2019 unilateral decisions, J&K was doing better on various HDI indices nationally but post August 5 we are going downhill,” he added.
He further added that NC is the only vital force with strong foot-hold in every region of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and that the recent DDC and by-elections have proved it. “NC, has time and again proved that it cannot be wished off. We draw our sustenance from the last persons living in Paddar, Thathri, Gool, Sangaldan, Doda, Indrawl, Poonch, Rajouri and Bhaderwah and likewise from the remote areas of Kashmir and Ladakh,’ he added.
Party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, provincial president Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta, district president Ramban Sajjad Shaheen, YNC provincial president Jammu Ajaz Jan also addressed the convention at Banihal. Political Advisor to Dr Farooq Mushtaq Guroo accompanied him. At Ramban, Dr Farooq was joined by Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy and AG Malik apart from other party functionaries.
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