Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Dec, 16
Referring to the clarification given by the MHA that it had no plans to extend Article 371 to J&K, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman-JKNPP & former Minister said that it had once again exposed the State BJP for its deceptive politics and false narrative. He said that Jammu region which had overwhelmingly supported the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A was being assured time and again by BJP leaders that a ‘Domicile Law’ was in the offing to protect their lands, properties and jobs. He said that repeated statements were being made in the media as well by the BJP leaders that necessary constitutional safeguards were in the pipeline in the form of Article 371 so as to protect the interests of the people of erstwhile State and that GoI would be making a formal announcement on the subject. The treacherous conduct of these leaders has once again come to force as a rude shocker for the people of J&K. The MHA has finally spilled the beans and fully exposed the BJP for its false narrative and subterfuge by categorically ruling out any such proposal, rued Singh.
Mr. Harsh Dev said that people of J&K wanted the Domicile Law as enacted during the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh to continue so as to
safeguard the interests of the people of this erstwhile princely state. He said that possibilities of the land sharks usurping the lands of the state subjects and bullying the poor and un-influential land owners of the state could not be ruled out following the abrogation of the laws giving protection to local farmers. He said that prospects of loss of employment opportunities was another very serious issue which had been irking the minds of educated unemployed youth. He said that a scary situation was erupting in which the unemployed youth was getting restive and agitated with none to address their bonafide concerns and apprehensions and MHA clarification has further dampened their hopes. He said that with thousands of UP and Bihari labourers and other workers from adjoining states already having settled in J&K especially in various parts of Jammu region, the concerns of the locals were well founded. He said that while the Go I had indicated its intention to protect the history, culture, lands, Jobs of Ladakhis by virtue of the proposed amendment of sixth schedule, its apathy towards J&K was not only condemnable but culpable as well. With Jammu region having overwhelmingly supported the BJP in Parliament and Assembly elections, any disregard for the sentiments of its people could prove counter-productive for the saffron party.
Mr. Singh said NPP has already highlighted the concerns of the people for protection of their lands and Jobs through a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India and would continue to agitate the issue till the issue were addressed in right perspective.
He further expressed concern over the collapse of erstwhile Dogra State saying that its demotion as UT would spell doom for saffron party in the days to come.
Mr. Surinder Chouna, District President Jammu Rural & Mr. Parshotam Parihar, State Secretary-PTU were also present in the press conference.
