NC patron Farooq reiterates demand for regional autonomy

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 30

National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today reiterated his party’s demand for granting regional autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was the only way to stride Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development.

“Jammu has its own aspirations. Similarly, other regions in Jammu province, too, have their own aspirations and we have to think about all of them. If we fail to understand the grievances of a particular region or a community, we will not be able to take this state on the path of development. Regional autonomy is the only way forward to take J&K on the path of development and prosperity,” he said while addressing a function organised by the Institute of J&K Affairs in collaboration with JK Academy of Arts Culture and Languages, Jammu, to pay homage to noted journalist Balraj Puri on his first death anniversary.

The theme of the function was “Contemporary relevance of Balraj Puri’s ideas for Jammu and Kashmir”. “It was also the dream of Balraj Puri that there should be unity among all three regions and equal treatment to all people barring caste, creed and colour. He has shown us a door as to how we can take Jammu and Kashmir on the path of development, prosperity and communal harmony. It will be our failure if could not achieve anything in this direction,” Farooq said.

The NC leader said Puri was a champion of the cause of uniting all the three regions of the state. He said he himself strongly believed in unity of all the three regions. “Jammu is the gateway of Kashmir whereas Kashmir is the gateway of Ladakh. If Jammu does not exist, where will Kashmir go? Kashmir cannot go to China. There is no question of going to Pakistan. We all will die,” he said.

He highlighted the role of Puri in strengthening panchayati raj institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. “Due to his strong association with panchayati raj institutions, Puri was made the head of the Regional Autonomy Committee when the National Conference assumed reins of the state because no state could make any progress if panchayati raj institutions were not strong enough,” Farooq said. He supported the suggestion, made by CPI MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami of having a chair in the name of Balraj Puri in one of the state universities.

Earlier, Kavinder Gupta, Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, and Tarigami threw light on the life of Balraj Puri. In his address, Tarigami suggested a chair in the name of Balraj Puri in one of the state universities. He said this would be a fitting tribute to a man who served the state for close to seven decades.

“In a state with divergent pulls and pressures, it was remarkable that he was able to articulate his perspectives without sounding partial to any region or community. He was respected by all regions and communities, a rare feat in the present day J&K,” he said.

Ellora Puri, daughter of Balraj Puri, presented the vote of thanks on the occasion.