Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 13: Pressing for a credible dialogue among different regions and communities of Jammu and Kashmir, CPI (M) leader and prominent member of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Mohd Yusuf Tarigami today called for making Jammu a partner in formulating a joint strategy to get back rights of J&K people.
“PAGD is not agenda of two or three parties but a struggle of entire J&K to restore the rights of the citizens of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, while addressing a press conference, here today.
Urging all sections of the society to come together and play their role to pull out the erstwhile State from the crisis situation after abrogation of Article 370, Tarigami stressed that Kashmir cannot move forward in isolation.
He gave example of the people of Leh and Kargil coming together to safeguard their interests and compelling the Government of India for dialogue. “Ladakh should serve as a role model for the people of Jammu and Kashmir as Kargil has filed a writ petition for restoration of Article 370 and 35A, whereas Leh was always in favour of Union Territory status but stood up united for safeguarding their land and jobs,” he said.
“Kashmir cannot march ahead without Jammu and Jammu cannot ignore Kashmir. We both, including Ladakh, have to move together because we are linked by history and common interest. We must identify the areas where we can agree as we have every right to disagree as well. While disagreements are there, there can be possibilities of agreements as well,” he said, adding that all the people have to come together and adopt a joint strategy to get back rights of J&K citizens, which were accorded to them by then Maharaja of the erstwhile State.
Terming the year-long farmers’ struggle for revocation of three agricultural laws as historic, Mr Tarigami said that successful struggle of the farmers is an encouraging development for all the people and a big lesson for the country, particularly the people of J&K.
“Same was the case with J&K where rights of people were snatched without consulting them. Let the State be restored and elections are held. The Assembly will decide our fate. If Ladakh wants to live separately, there is no harm. We can talk to them and try to understand their aspirations,” he said.
Replying to a query, Mr Tarigami said that the dialogue between India and Pakistan should happen to end militancy and lower the pain of the people of J&K. “There is peace along the borders in the aftermath of the renewed ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The ceasefire had not happened suddenly but was the result of the dialogue providing relief to the farmers on both sides who were suffering due to the cross-border shelling,” he explained while justifying his point.
On the scheduled meeting of delimitation commission with its associate members from J&K in New Delhi on December 20, Tarigami said his party has challenged the J-K Reorganization Act in the Supreme Court and do not want anything happening under the Union Territory status.
“We want restoration of statehood. Nevertheless we met the Delimitation Commission during its visit to J&K. They addressed our concerns and assured to prepare a note for circulation for public scrutiny. How many months passed but there is no note till date,” he said.
Tarigami also criticised the administration for its ongoing drive to retrieve the Roshni land. “The land is under possession of the people for generations while a review petition of the Government is pending before the Supreme Court,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
