Jammuites miffed at being ‘ignored’ in Parliament debate, all-party meet

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 22

Jammu is miffed at being “ignored” by parliamentarians and political class while debating the prevailing Kashmir unrest in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and in the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar yesterday.

Disappointed over statements of members of Parliament (MPs) and other politicians on the Kashmir situation, Jammuites remind the political class that J&K comprises three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — and any “deliberate attempt” to neglect Jammu would make situation more complex in the state.

They argue that any instability in Kashmir has direct impact on tourists and pilgrims’ footfall and economy of Jammu because an impression goes outside that unrest in the Kashmir valley means trouble in the entire J&K state. They believe that it would be wrong on the part of New Delhi and Kashmiri leadership to take Jammu for granted as it will have serious repercussions in the state.

Hari Om, a noted political analyst and convener of the Jammu For India (JFI), says, “Whatever happened in Parliament and all-party meeting in Srinagar has angered the people of Jammu and demoralised the nationalists in J&K as it has given an impression that there is no one in New Delhi and the PDP-BJP government who could speak about them.”

He adds, “In both the debates at the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, not only Jammu and Ladakh were completely ignored, but also atrocities on Kashmiri Hindus and Amarnath pilgrims were overlooked. New Delhi and the PDP-BJP government have only one-point agenda — lower the morale of nationalists in J&K and strengthen the hands of those who take law of land in their own hands.”

Rakesh Gupta, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, says, “New Delhi has always taken the nationalist forces for granted. It has adversely affected the overall development of Jammu and Ladakh regions. We will be meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tomorrow and will vociferously raise this issue.”

Balwant Singh Mankotia, Panthers Party state president, “The people of Jammu are outraged by the treacherous surrender of the BJP and the similar situation could erupt with explosion there as well. The simmering anger of the people could become volcanic if their genuine aspirations are not fulfilled. It is the result of complete neglect of Jammu by successive regimes at the Centre and in the state.”

Raman Sharma, a Jammu-based activist, says, “New Delhi and Kashmiri leadership must remember that Jammu is one of the major stakeholders in the state and if they continue to neglect it in this way, it may force the people of Jammu to think about the future course of action. Jammu, which also bore the brunt of militancy, had accommodated all sections of society — be it Kashmir Pandits, Ladakhi people, Kashmiri Muslims and refugees. It is the duty of our parliamentarians to convey to the world that Srinagar is not the entire J&K and three-four separatist leaders are not the representatives of the people of J&K.”