Protection of people’s rights key to healthy democracy: Bhalla

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 7: JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla today said that recognition and protection of people’s rights and dignity as well as speedy justice is imperative for functioning of a healthy democracy.
Addressing series of public meetings as a part of mass contact programmes from booth level to mobilize public opinion against wrong policies of BJP Govt in Gandhi Nagar constituency, Bhalla said, “For the functioning of a healthy democracy, it is imperative that the people feel that their rights and dignity are protected and recognized. He said similar programmes will be organized through J&K to rejuvenate cadre for the various challenges ahead in J&K.
Bhalla said expeditious adjudication of disputes is the hallmark of a healthy democracy. He said denial of justice would result in anarchy and destabilization of the judicial institution as people would seek a solution to their grievances through extrajudicial mechanisms. Peace shall only prevail, when people’s dignity and rights are recognized and protected,” he said.
Asserting that people want restoration of their honour and dignity, Bhalla demanded holding of much delayed Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir for the empowerment of people.
“The people across J&K are feeling disempowered with the bureaucratic regime. On the other, the unnecessary delay in holding assembly elections has given rise to the feeling of alienation among the people which needs to be addressed at the earliest,” Bhalla added.
He said that basic needs of the people whether electricity, clean drinking water, road, basic infrastructure for hospitals, and educational institutions are quite irregular due to the poor response from Government. As the civil administration has completely collapsed, it is ample time to restore the confidence of the people who are feeling sidelined with no elected representative or Govt in place. The people in both the regions have similar demand to restore statehood and hold Assembly elections in J&K without delay, he said, and questioned that “If elections can be held in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and others states and UTs in the country, why they are delayed in J&K.”
Bhalla said that the people want their honour and dignity to be restored with the restoration of statehood and holding Assembly elections.