Shadow Correspondent
Jammu Sept 29:-
While Jammu region continued to be neglected and deprived by successive state govts in the past, the Dogra pride and honour received the deadliest blows during the saffron rule in the state and the centre, said Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Former Minister. And whereas the BJP rule witnessed slew of measures announced for stone-pelters with benefits of SRO-43 and ex-gratia, rehabilitation polices for surrendered militants including unilateral ceasefire, FIRs against armed forces, shelving of Sainik Colony and KP Composite Township projects, grant of lion’s share in recruitments to Kashmir youth, sanction of whopping Rs. 15881 crore for Kashmir metro for appeasement of separatists, the issues of Jammu region contrarily failed to find even a mention during the 3½ year saffron rule. “The intentions of BJP became abundantly clear at the beginning itself when it failed to incorporate any of its election promises in the Agenda of Alliance (AOA) and rather gave legitimacy to the bizarre slogans of ‘Jhelum Vally’ and ‘Pir Panchal regions’ by mentioning them in the common minimum programme of the govt. And thereafter started the process of subjugation of Jammu by denying it not only its legitimate share in employment, development etc but by ruthlessly trampling upon our very self respect and dignity as well, said Harsh. He was addressing largely attended public meetings in Wards 59, 62 and 64 in Paloura Top, Chinor and Chak Chagarwah of JMC today.
“Rasana episode is a grim reminder of the BJP’s wicked politicking and its extremely petrifying conduct while in power. Rather than coming to the succour of the people seeking a fair trial in the said case through CBI, the BJP chose to ignore the popular Dogra sentiment by taking sides with Kashmir centric forces. And all this notwithstanding the fact that District Kathua had given an overwhelming and unprecedented mandate to the saffron party. The Dogras were again betrayed by BJP over the issue of declaration of holiday on 23rd September, the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh which was another popular demand of the people of Jammu irrespective of their religious or political affiliations. And likewise, the people of Jammu had to resort to agitational course for getting the AIIMS project which though earlier sanctioned for Jammu had been conceded to Kashmir by the power hungry leaders. The BJP rule again witnessed the sanctioning of 49 posts of Kashmir language in Jammu’s Degree Colleges forcing the Dogras yet again to take to streets for getting Dogri introduced in Jammu colleges”, maintained Mr. Singh.
“The deceit and dishonesty remained the hallmark of BJP rule with its ministers working overtime to keep Mehbooba Mufti in good humour at the cost of aspirations of their Jammu electorates. The injustice and injury caused to Dogras are not that upsetting. Most distressing has been the breach of trust and insult to our self esteem and pride” said Harsh adding that herculean efforts would be required to straighten the dents inflicted upon the Dogra pride. Support Panthers to uphold Dogra pride and honour, appealed Mr. Singh who was greeted with thunderous applause by huge gatherings at all the meetings.
Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Mrs. Manju Singh, Rakesh Kumar Bittu, Seema Devi, Par Sharma, Kalish, Partap Singh Jamwal, Aditya Hans, Raghav Talwar, Ravi Raj, Desh Raj Pandita, Rakesh Shanker, Jatinder Chib, Kewal, Roshan Palouria, Lucky besides others.
