While the BJP govt at the centre has announced to provide constitutional safeguards for protection of lands, Jobs, culture and identity of Ladakh, it was disturbing to note that the people of J&K were not even taken on board while enacting the new land laws recently extended to the JK UT. The newly extended land laws are being seen as a threat to the culture and identity of dogra land in particular in view of huge settlements of non state subjects in and around Jammu as also the preference of outsiders for Jammu over Kashmir. This would not only result in divesting the vulnerable sections of people from their marginal land holdings but eventually end up with their enslavement at the hands of outside corporates. The outsiders would get all rights including those of employment in JK thus squeezing the already negligible job avenues for the local youth. This could create a Maharashtra like situation in J&K with locals Vs non locals issues prejudicially affecting governance and development in the days to come.” This was stated by Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Former Minister. He was addressing several public meetings at Gogal, Gudwal and Bandral villages in Vijaypur constituency today alongwith Mr. Yash Paul Kundal, General Secretary Young Panthers and Ex-Minister.
Questioning the govt over the different yardsticks applied for Ladakh and JK which earlier formed part of the same state, Mr. Singh said that if the centre could agree to Ladakhis demand for safe guarding its distinct identity besides its Jobs and lands exclusively for locals, what prompted it to dilute the culture and identity of dogras who created history by their heroic exploits and countless sacrifices for the nation. And why did the BJP revert back by taking a somersault from its original stand assuring to provide similar safeguards for JK UT as repeatedly announced post states re-organization, said Singh.
Strongly countering the argument being advanced as of late by some loud mouthed leaders of Saffron brigade that opening of Jobs and lands to outsiders was essential to the idea of one India, Mr. Singh questioned the contrary provisions being implemented in BJP ruled Himachal Pradesh and other north eastern states and now assured to even Ladakh region which comprised Buddhist as well as Muslim population. He pointed out that several special provisions had been made in Art 371 of the Indian constitution with respect to North East as well as other states of Indian Union to address the peculiar needs of the different regions and sub regions. He said that such provisions existed for Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh etc granting some special concessions upon these states. Likewise Art 371 made express provision for some special concessions for Marathwada and Vidarbha of Maharashtra, and Kutch and Saurashtra of Gujarat as well. Should Jammu region in particular not be provided some special powers and privileges on the analogy of aforesaid states under Art 371? Questioned Singh reminiscing that people of dogra land had been assured of similar concessions which however were being denied by the authoritarian, distortional regime at the centre.