Blow to BJP as Jammu observes bandh over AIIMS controversy

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 24

In a big blow to the BJP, the alliance partner in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government, Jammu today observed a complete bandh to protest the allocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to the Kashmir valley and failure of government to resolve issues confronting transport and trade organisations.

Several political, apolitical, trade, transport and social organisations, including offshoots of the Sangh Parivar, had called for a “complete shutdown” against the “betrayal of the BJP” and its “failure to safeguard Jammu’s interests”.

Transporters of the region protested the imposition of toll on passenger vehicles at Ban Toll Plaza, while traders vented out their anger against non-acceptance of their demands which includes uniformity of VAT. The National Conference, Congress and Panthers party also expressed resented against the “flawed” recruitment policy of the coalition government.

The shutdown was complete as traders, transporters, lawyers and outfits of the Sangh Parivar as well as opposition parties Congress, National Conference and Panthers Party came forward to raise the issue of “discrimination against Jammu”.

All shops and business establishments, including those located in the BJP stronghold, were closed, while public transport remained off roads, subjecting the common man and thousands of Vaishno Devi pilgrims and tourists to hardship as it became difficult for them to reach their destinations.

Barring sporadic incidents of use of police force against protesters, the shutdown remained peaceful and no incident of violence was reported from any part of the region.

Educational institutions witnessed thin attendance of staff and students, while the functioning of government offices was also affected despite the fact that Friday was the last working day of the civil secretariat in Jammu before the offices move to the summer capital of Srinagar.

In other districts such as Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi, the bandh call evoked a mixed response. “We are highly grateful to the people who made the bandh call successful and unprecedented. We have decided to convene a meeting of all social, apolitical and other groups and bring them on a single platform to devise the future strategy. The meeting will be called in the next couple of days and we will give government an ultimatum to resolve our issues failing which we will call for an indefinite shutdown,” said Rakesh Gupta, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu.

“The bandh has sent a strong message to the BJP-led government at the Centre and the present coalition government, especially the saffron party, that it has betrayed the people of the Jammu region on various issues, especially the AIIMS project. The bandh was complete and voluntary, an answer to the BJP’s arrogance and its policies of deceit with people of Jammu region after securing their mandate on the promise of ensuring justice and empowerment to them,” said Sham Lal Sharma, former minister and senior vice-president of the Congress in J&K.

He condemned the police lathicharge on peaceful protesters at Dogra Chowk in Jammu, where several Congress leaders and workers were injured.

Activists of the NC, Congress and Panthers Party visited several parts of Jammu to ensure that people observed a complete bandh. The Dogra Front, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and other groups also staged demonstrations, demanding setting up of AIIMS in Jammu.