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| BJP’s opportunity to reconnect with Jammu on AIIMS, Lake | | Straight talk |
By K B Jandial
After Jammu Chambers of Commerce and Industry unprecedented Bandh on AIIMS, it is now Bar Association Jammu (BAJ), another apolitical body has taken the movement under its leadership to safeguard the interests of Jammu. It has record of grand successes of pro Jammu movements in the past and instant struggle is bound to meet the same fate.
The only regret in the movement is that this “fight for justice for Jammu” is targeted against BJP which had always been in the vanguard of the struggle for justice for Jammu against Kashmir centric successive State Govts in the past. It sounds incredible that after coming to power in the State for the first time, it too appears to have become Kashmir centric and is quick in “sacrificing” Jammu’s interests for reasons beyond comprehension by common Jummuites.
There are many acts of omission but at least there two major acts of commission which have mauled the psyche of Jammu across the board. There is absolutely no rationale to have taken these decisions. No amount of damage control exercise and rhetoric can salvage its image now when all sections of the society have joined hands for main emotive issue- Jammu cannot be taken for ride now by any one even those who have got the unprecedented mandate which was in line with nationalistic approach, removal of discrimination against Jammu and good governance. This was in contrast with the frequently compromising national interests by the so called secular parties in power for last six decades. But two major decisions, one to deprive Jammu from AIIMS (instead allotted it to the Kashmir Valley which already has SKIMS, Soura) and second “shelving” ambitious project of artificial lake in Tawi, have sent shock waves across Jammu. There is hardly any social gathering in Jammu where BJP is “taken to task” for anti Jammu decisions. There is absolutely no politics involved in it and these are pure Jammu feelings. And in no case the struggle is neither anti-Kashmir or anti-Mufti.
BAJ has done well to take initiative to keep the fight apolitical and involved all social and business organizations in it. The Co-ordination Committee, amalgamation of 70 odd non political organizations, set up the Bar Association has given a call for Jammu Bandh on 27th May to protest against these decisions on the day when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to address a “huge” rally at Jammu to commemorate Modi Govts’ one year in office. It will be a show down - Govt.’s might and people’s anger.
As the local BJP leadership has lost its credibility with different voices coming from BJP & PDP leaders on AIIMS and Artificial Lake, the Co-ordination Committee has given 10-day ultimatum to both the Union Govt. and the local BJP MLAs to clear their stand. The 26 BJP MLAs have been asked to issue public statement as to whether they want AIIMS in Jammu or Srinagar. It is direct question as to whether they “with the people of Jammu or with Mufti” on the issue of AIIMS.
Confusion continues on Artificial Lake also as the Chief Minister and Dy. Chief Minister have not yet clarified the matter even though the Minister for PHE & i& FC Sukhnandan is seen to be reviewing the project. Can a Minister turn down the announcement made by the Chief Minister in presence of BJP’s Dy. Chief Minister that “the project has been shelved on technical and economical ground”. A statement from Mufti Sayeed should come to set this confusion at rest.
This is the first Govt. which shelved the practice of Summer Secretariat when the Ministers including BJP went to Srinagar on weekly basis to attend urgent issues of Kashmir in winter Secretariat. Why this has been done when it came to be Summer Secretariat?
BJP is on the back foot and has to take the initiative back. There is still time to make course correction. It is for BJP to make suitable amends or face agitation. Jammu is up in arm on these issues and is in no mood to relent. It is they who mishandled these issues. What has happened in less than months actually exposes BJP’s political bankruptcy. Instead of speaking for Jammu, they vaguely speak in the language that is construed to be pro Kashmir. One can read between the lines the paradigm shift of its policies from solid Jammu centric to Kashmir appeasement. There is absolutely no harm in meeting the genuine aspirations of Kashmir (and why not Ladakh also). That is the job of the Govt. but not at cost of its own core constituency or in total sell out of Jammu. Kashmir may not get appeased by BJP’s anti Jammu actions but the greater danger is that they may lose its base from there they had their way to Govt. for the first time.
Even on the issue of passport to Syed Ali Shah Geelani and his family who wanted to be with his ailing daughter at Saudi Arabia, there are confusing signals from BJP, mostly in support of granting Passport. It is good that BJP in Govt. is not rigid and obstructionist as it was when in opposition but it should not be competing with pro- Kashmir PDP in espousing the cause dearer to Kashmiris. Before making any comment on this issue, BJP should have insisted on his simple declaration that his nationality is Indian, which is the foremost requirement under Indian Passport Act?
Instead BJP is seen to be taking self contradictory stand. Some time they talk of security consideration and some time on humanitarian consideration. More intriguing is the strong statement from its spokesman from Kashmir that Geelani should first seek apology from the people for misleading them but leaders from Jammu appear to be soft with talking more on humanitarian consideration. If he does not declare himself as Indian national how Govt. of India can issue the passport?
It is sheer Geelani’s hypocrisy to avoid writing Indian nationality when thrice he on his election as MLA took oath as member of J&K Legislative Assembly mandatory under section 64 of the Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir affirming in the name of Allah that “…that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the State as law established and that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India”. Even as a former Lawmaker he knows that section 3 of same constitution unambiguously state that “The State of Jammu and Kashmir is and shall be an integral part of the Union of India”. He is getting even pension for being 3-time MLA. “Kashmir dispute” has no bearing on his nationality. Moreover, there is no dual nationality in Indian constitution. Even then, if he still feels otherwise let him not apply for the passport. Perhaps, he knows which side his bread is buttered. Is there any assurance or guarantee that he would keep it a personal visit and would not make anti India speeches? If such ambiguous stands are continued to be taken BJP in future, one day he people might dub BJP also with “soft separatism” which tag is fixed on PDP.
Today, BJP is in catch -22 situation. It must decide its course of action. People of Jammu have declared its intentions and the Govt. have no option but to immediately accept these demands without a show down. BJP still can retrieve its lost ground if it handles the challenge with maturity and not with arrogance and complacency. Most of the people including BJP’s second rung leaders and workers talk about Ministers having become inaccessible and arrogant. Media reports also speak about Ministers not on talking terms. If malicious, these needed to be denied promptly. Silence often confirms the report. BJP can convert situation as an opportunity rather than be angry with all those who are talking about Jammu interest which once upon a time used to be its buzz word. Wake up Jammu!
(The writer is former Secretary information, health, transport, CAPD departments and a member of Public Service Commission, feedback: [email protected])
(Opinions expressed in write-ups/articles/Letters are the sole responsibility of the authors and they may not represent the Scoop News)
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