Accusing the political leadership of Jammu of demonstrating political cowardice in the face of “rule of whim” being run in the state by “an authoritarian regime”, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and former Minister today appealed the civil society to rise to the occasion so as to fill the gaps in effective representation of people of the dogra land facing crisis of identity and culture. The recent developments in the state have created uncertainty and fear in the minds of the people who are made to compromise with their rights as free citizens under the garbs of national interests, said Singh. Can anyone be allowed to destroy the freedoms that our ancestors/dogra warriors fought to defend? questioned Singh. “Not only were restrictions imposed upon unfettered exercise of constitutional guarantees but Jammu region continued to be disregarded despite it having overwhelmingly supported the abrogation of Art 370 and allied provisions. And while Jammu continued to be neglected and taken for granted even after Art 370 abrogation, Kashmir continued to receive priority attention at the cost of the former. It was deplorable that majority of Jammu based leaders were shamelessly watching the developments with cold criminal silence and cowardly submitting before all dictatorial moves of powers that be”, he lamented. He was speaking in an interactive session with prominent notables of Jammu including academicians, lawyers, rtd. civil servants and representatives of various social organizations.
Urging upon the civil society to support pro Jammu parties without any fear, Mr. Singh said that Panthers Party alone was projecting the concerns of the highly aggrieved people of the incarcerated dogra land who felt let down by their mandated leaders.
Major General Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (Retd.) called upon the people of Jammu to unite for a better tomorrow. He emphasized the need for upholding the secular values for which our ancestors and dogra warriors had made Supreme sacrifices. He said that the nefarious designs of the enemy could be defeated only through collective efforts of all sections of society.
Mr. Paviter Singh Judge (Retd.) laid stress on supporting all pro Jammu initiatives irrespective of the forum from which they emanated. He complemented the Panthers Party for its persistent struggle for ensuring Justice to the people of Jammu region. He called for holding such seminars on regular basis so as to create an awakening amongst the people of Jammu
Prof. R.D. Sharma former Vice Chancellor Jammu University threw light upon the deteriorating standards in political system. He said that prejudiced and based approach of helmsman was responsible for various ills in the society. He assured to contribute his might for ensuring justice to Jammu region.
Prof. Posh Charak former HoD and Ex Member of PSC also called upon the people of Jammu to come on a common platform to realize the aspirations of an otherwise marginalized dogra land. He complemented NPP for raking up the issues of public. Mr. Mnish Sahni President Shiv Sena called for holding public meetings jointly so as to aware the public about the anti people policies of present regime.
Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Sh. K.B. Jandial Ex-Secretary to Govt., Prof. Jai Kumar rtd. Reigstar JU, Sh. .Kiran Wattal rtd. Commissioner JMC Sh. Sojanya Sharma rtd. Director Local Bodies, Sh. Jagdish Singh Chib, rtd. CE PHE, Sh. MS Jamwal rtd. Chief Engineer, Sh. DD Gorkha rtd. CE PMGSY, Sh. P.N. Bali rtd. CE I&FC, College, Prof. Sandoor Singh rtd. Principal, Prof. Sarle Kolhi rtd. Principal, Prof. Hamla Aggarwal, Dr. Arvind Raina, Deputy Director Health (rtd.), MS Katoch President JPPF, Randhir Singh Billowria rtd. Chief Manager JCCB, JS Chouhan, Social activist, Kuldip Khajuria rtd. Dy SP, Col. SS Pathania President Sainik Samaj Party, Mr. CP Gupta leading businessman, Mr. Basharat Ali Ex-Member ST Board, Mrs. Parveen Kesar Advocate, Prof. Sushil Sharma besides others.
The participants unanimously resolved to work in co-ordination for the resolution of major issues confronting the people of Jammu especially “Restoration of statehood for J&K, Equitable treatment to both regions of Jammu and Kashmir with end to all bias against Jammu Pradesh, Early holding of delimitation in J&K so as to rectify the anomalies in allocation of Assembly seats among the two regions of the state, Early eviction of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis illegally settled in Jammu, Disbanding the Toll Plaza of Sarore, Early enactment of domicile law so as to safeguard the interests of unemployed youth and farmers of J&K, Early completion of developmental projects of Jammu including Artificial Tawi Lake project, Mubarak Mandi Heritage project, Cable Car project linking Bagh-e-Bahu and Mahamaya Temple, Smart City project, Development of Tawi River Banks, AIIMS project, Bus stand Multi Parking Complex, Raghunath Bazaar beautification project, Jumbo Zoo project, Metro project, besides construction of Flyovers to decongest the city of temples, Release of adequate compensation to farmers devastated by untimely rains and hailstorm, Special recruitment package for J&K youth as repeatedly announced, Restoration of 4G mobile internet connectivity, Restoration of democratic institutions in the erstwhile state, Abolition of custodian Deptt and conferment of ownership rights upon the holders of evacuee property, Settlement of issues of WP refugees, Valmiki Samaj and OBCs for a fair deal in govt Jobs, Regularization of the services of DRW, Contractuals and other consolidated workers having rendered more than seven years service”.
Mr. Yash Paul Kundal Ex-MLA and former Minister presented vote of thanks.