Chanakya Charan Dass “Tikri”
Sham Lal Sharma, the BJP Legislator from Jammu North, has set a cat among the many pigeons by looking for the creation of Jammu state, de-hyphenated from Kashmir.
This is not the primary time that he has spoken about it. Even as a minister within the Omar Abdullah Government in 2010 he had bravely and unequivocally raised this demand as he was miffed by the “semi secessionist” perspective of the then Government that was often, although obliquely pandering to the feelings of the anti-national Kashmiri “outfits” and in lots of instances was in alignment with the utterances of the anti-India forces from throughout the border. Such perspective of the political dispensation of the time and that of the Kashmiri political events was clearly an anathema to the nationalist individuals of the Jammu area – throughout the ten districts of the province.
Someone who is a eager observer of Kashmir (particularly after 1996/2000) will recall that there was a competitors for pandering to the separatist ideology among the many native Kashmiri political events to show as to who was extra “separatist” for garnering the votes of the voters. They would often provide you with one components or the opposite, akin to “Autonomy Resolution” of the National Conference & “Self-Rule” of the Peoples Democratic Party.
If one celebration wished pre-1953 standing the opposite one batted for elimination of borders between the 2 components of JandK (POJK & JandK), use of twin foreign money (ie each, the Indian foreign money and the Pakistani foreign money) and nullification of Article 356 (software of Presidents rule in a state/UT) in its applicability to JandK.
In reality, the PDP’s “Self-Rule” was nearer to the Musharaff’s “four-point plan for JandK that would effectively have resulted in backdoor entry of Pakistan into the affairs of JandK and sealed the fate of the people of JandK forever.
So, herein lies the rub!!
While the Kashmir political class was toying with ideas that would have made Indian rule in JandK almost irrelevant and handed over JandK to Pakistan on a silver platter, what was the position of the people of Jammu? Were they ever consulted or taken into confidence for matters related to JandK? Never!!
Now look at the following situation:
JandK came under Governor’s/President’s rule eight times since 1947. A closer look will reveal that the total period through which JandK has been under Governor/President’s rule has been more than 14 years – 14 years out of 78 years!! Is this a healthy situation for a democracy? More precisely, was Jammu region involved at any point in time in creating a situation in JandK for imposition of the central rule? No!!
It was always the machinations of the Kashmiri politicians that created situations for imposition of the central rule in JandK and the people of Jammu province suffered for no fault of theirs. The “demotion” of JandK from a state to the Union Territory is additionally a response of the union Government to the often-created ruckus and chaos by the Kashmiri politicians. The coverage of Kashmiri political class since 1947 of “running with India and hunting it with Pakistan” left no various for the Government in Delhi to use a new template, a new components, that would carry some type of peace within the space.
The destiny of Jammu province is such that the one Chief Minister of JandK from the province since 1947, Gulam Nabi Azad, was not allowed to finish his tenure. Conditions have been created the place he needed to resign in a huff. This, even after he had declared to start with of his tenure because the CM that his household belonged to Kulgam district of Kashmir and had migrated to Gandoh-Bhalesa space of District Doda in Jammu. This revelation had no impression on the “fitnabaaz” Kashmiri politicians. They had no love misplaced for him and he was “violently” eased out prematurely from Chief Ministership of the state. It is to the credit score of Ghulam Nabi Azad that in his brief tenure because the CM of the state he had initiated a number of growth tasks within the Jammu province, particularly within the oft-neglected tourism sector.
Predictably, Sham Lal’s clarion name for creation of the state of Jammu, de-hyphenated from Kashmir has raised hue and cry from a number of quarters from Kashmir in addition to Jammu. Several political events and people from Jammu have additionally opposed it. This is very a lot on predictable strains. Jammuites typically, “excepting an exceptional handful few” are content material with the title of a “deputy” connected to their title. That is why they relish being “Deputy” Chief Minister or possibly solely a minister. This virus has seeped within the collective consciousness and psyche of the Jammu politicians (no matter whether or not they’re Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians) so deep that they don’t wish to be a Chief Minister. The outcome is that the “deputy” all the time tends to look again over his/her shoulders to verify whether or not his/her Kashmiri political boss/management is pleased with him/her or not. Any act by them that marginally favours Jammu will see their exit from the federal government!!
Therefore, a authorities that has gained elections on the again of the voters from Kashmir and are available to rule JandK, can’t be anticipated to be honest to Jammu.
Under the circumstances, how is Jammu going to prosper?
This is a case akin to undivided Andhra Pradesh. People of Telangana all the time felt that it was the politicians from Andhra Pradesh who, due to their clout within the legislature, have been neglecting Telangana at the price of the present-day Andhra area. They stood up towards the discrimination and eventually Telangana was separated from Andhra Pradesh. Presently, the individuals of each the areas are guiding their very own destinies.
The voices from Kashmir are additionally working alongside two totally different strains.
Overwhelming majority is in complete opposition to what Sham Lal Sharma stated. Some politicians are diplomatic. The extra mischievous ones are additionally bringing the Dixon plan to the fore for terrorizing the individuals of Jammu and the nation. They are forgetting that the Dixon plan, just like the UN resolutions on JandK has been solid into the dustbin of historical past.
The one actuality, over and above any man-made resolutions is the geography of the Kashmir Valley as created and annunciated by God. A have a look at the satellite tv for pc images of the Valley shall reveal the precise extent of the Valley. Anything past that is both Jammu or Ladakh. Politicians of JandK should hold that in thoughts.
As far as Jammu is involved it is a heterogeneous combine of varied cultures, traditions, languages & dialects. It is dwelling to Hindus of all castes & denominations, Muslims (Sunnis & Shias), Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists. Besides a large inhabitants of Kashmiri Hindus have discovered their abode right here after they have been terrorised out of Kashmir Valley in 1989/90. Later many Kashmiri Muslims too constructed their dwellings & mansions in Jammu to flee the tough winters in Kashmir. Many of those dwellings have been constructed on illegally occupied forest and authorities land. Do you discover any particular person from Jammu, of any denomination buying any property in Kashmir? No, however why – a moot query?!
Jammu encompasses 10 districts that comprise of 63% of the full territory of J&Ok. More than 12 languages & distinct dialects are spoken in Jammu as in comparison with one language spoken by greater than 98% of the inhabitants of Kashmir.
Jammu is additionally dwelling to varied tribes akin to Gujars, Bakarwals & Gaddis including color & lustre to the rainbow that is Jammu. There are hundreds of migrant staff engaged in a number of trades in Jammu from, UP, Bihar, Bengal, MP & additionally from a number of southern Indian states.
At the identical time Jammu can have a real delight in giving shelter to a massive inhabitants of Pakistan refugees & these from POJK relationship again to 1947. Well, you even have unlawful Bangladeshis & Rohingyas ensconced right here, virtually completely – whether or not you prefer it or not. (Why are they not settling in Kashmir?!)
In reality, right this moment, Jammu is essentially the most secular of the territories of J&Ok. Can the identical be stated of Kashmir? Unfortunately, not!!
The idea of Jammu state, as said by Sham Lal Sharma, although outdated, has gained foreign money as soon as once more as the thought is to guard this essential & strategically situated secular house within the north of India & strengthen the nationalist & secular forces in a strategically situated territory. It has nothing to do with faith, caste or creed.
A Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or Buddhist chosen because the CM of a Jammu state shall be answerable to the individuals/voters of the ten districts of Jammu and shall not must look over his/her shoulders to Srinagar (in reality Gupkar) for any type of ratification.
He/she can be guiding the future of the individuals of Jammu. He/she would be the CM of the individuals of Jammu, elected by the individuals of Jammu, working for the individuals of Jammu!!
That is why Jammu state is important for the individuals of Jammu and the energy of the Indian nation. Kashmir can have its approach and prosper. Jammu will all the time want it nicely.
