Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor of J&K, NN Vohra, would do well to work in tandem and undo all the four wrongs the Congress committed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been at the helm of affairs at the Centre since May 2014. It was hoped that he would undo the wrongs which the Congress committed in J&K during its decades of misrule. Some of the wrongs were Article 370, Article 35-A, denial of citizenship rights to the Hindu-Sikh refugees from Pakistan living in Jammu since 1947 and a regime that enabled Muslim leadership in Kashmir to convert Jammu and Ladakh into Kashmir’s two colonies and render the people of these two regions unreal and ineffective for all practical purposes.
It was Jammu-based lawyer Ankur Sharma who exposed the conspiracy seemingly hatched by Mehbooba Mufti, Zulfikar and others in the government by putting in public domain the 5-page official note containing those outrageous and unconstitutional directions.
These four wrongs created the separate Republic of J&K on the soil of India and subverted the very Preamble of the Indian Constitution that preaches the principle of equality across the country.
The hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would undo these wrongs had stemmed from the speeches he delivered at very-largely attended elections rallies across the nation, including Jammu, between February 2013 and May 2014. Sadly, however, he did nothing whatsoever to undo these wrongs much to the chagrin of the suffering people of Jammu and Ladakh. Instead, the BJP sprung a big surprise on February 26, 2015, by stitching an alliance with the known pro-Pakistan, pro-separatist; essentially Kashmir and Muslim-centric; and rabidly anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist, anti-Jammu and anti-Ladakh People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The BJP not just forged an alliance with PDP, but also handed over everything to it on a platter: the office of Chief Minister, all portfolios with political weight, considerable funds and patronage and veto power. The PDP assumed the office on March 1, 2015, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders. This writer was also present on that occasion.
As was expected, the PDP took full advantage of the opportunity it got and further hurt the nation. It systematically destroyed Jammu and Ladakh politically, socially, culturally and economically. Its policies created widespread resentment and dissatisfaction among all in Jammu and Ladakh except those in power and those close to the corridors of power. The worst aspect of the whole situation was the kind of freedom the PDP-led coalition government gave to separatists and jihadis to create serious troubles for the nation in the state in general and Kashmir Valley in particular. As a matter of fact, the PDP-led government facilitated and hastened the process of radicalization in Kashmir and also directly encouraged Muslims to grab and occupy state, forest and other lands in Jammu. The BJP watched all these dangerous and disturbing developments as a mute spectator.
The case in point is the February 14, 2018 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s written directions to the Revenue Magistracy and Police not to “disturb/dislocate members of tribal families” (in this case Gujjar and Bakerwal Muslims) from the illegally-occupied forest and state land “without the permission of Tribal Affairs Ministry” (headed by Zulfikar Choudhary).
It was Jammu-based lawyer Ankur Sharma who exposed the conspiracy seemingly hatched by Mehbooba Mufti, Zulfikar and others in the government by putting in public domain the 5-page official note containing those outrageous and unconstitutional directions. Ankur Sharma, a renowned social activist, has now founded “Ikk Jutt Jammu” (one Jammu) movement and its three fundamental objectives are to defeat the ongoing demographic invasion of Jammu; expose fake secularism; and obtain for the minority Hindus, Sikhs and Jains minority rights/minority status.
PM Narendra Modi at the helm of affairs in New Delhi and the imposition of the Governor rule in J&K has created a novel situation
Again, it was Advocate Ankur Sharma, who approached the J&K High Court and got the application of the change-Jammu-demography “Roshni Act” of Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Omar Abdullah and Ghulam Naboi Azad stayed. The Roshni Act was the biggest ever land scam in the history of J&K. People, overwhelmingly Muslims, looted nearly 17 lakh kanals of state, forest and other lands in Jammu province, especially in the Hindu-majority districts of Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur. In other words, Ankur Sharma exposed all the conspirators, who through legislative and executive routes wanted to change Jammu’s demographics and convert it into another Kashmir.
Anyway, the issue under scrutiny is the grave wrongs committed by the Congress in J&K to appease separatists and communalists in Kashmir and hurt the Hindus and Buddhists of Jammu and Ladakh and the nation as a whole.
The political scene of J&K today is different from what it was before June 19, 2018, when the under-severe-attack BJP suddenly and in a most dramatic manner announced the withdrawal of its support to the Mehbooba Mufti-led government in J&K. It was a great decision, which was welcomed by the people across the nation. The people described the exit of Mehbooba Mufti a “good riddance”. And, why not? Indeed, it was a good riddance. The exit of Mehbooba Mufti from the coveted office paved way for the imposition of the Governor’s rule in the state. It happened on June 20.
PM Narendra Modi at the helm of affairs in New Delhi and the imposition of the Governor rule in J&K has created a novel situation. The Governor rule is in effect the Central rule. It’s a rare opportunity; it’s a God-sent opportunity. It would be only desirable if the Prime Minister makes an optimum use of this God-sent opportunity; integrates Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh fully into the national mainstream and redress the grievances of the Hindus of Jammu and Buddhists of Ladakh. The Hindus and Buddhists have suffered huge socio-cultural and politico-economic losses during all these 70 years of the accession of J&K with India. 70 years is not a small period. The situation has now climaxed to the point that the very identity, personality and existence of the Hindus and Buddhists are under threat. Their plight is no different from the plight of the minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor of J&K, NN Vohra, would do well to work in tandem and undo all the four wrongs the Congress committed. They can do it in no time. No constitutional amendment is required. The President of India can remove Articles 35-A and 370 through Presidential orders. He only needs a Cabinet nod. The removal of these two atrocious Articles would mean the application of the Indian Constitution to J&K. Besides, the Prime Minister also has to devise a mechanism that liberates Jammu and Ladakh from Kashmir. In other words, he has to reorganize J&K on regional, as opposed to, religious basis.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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I totally agree with Jayasankar that there is no one equal to Dr. Swamy and he can be a great, in fact an extraordinary help for our PM making his tasks easy. There’s no one who can match his brilliance in terms of so many faculties. India has been unfortunate that even though Namo is in power, he’s not been able to use such a resourceful and brilliant mind, whose integrity is beyond question. But, look at this man, Dr. Swamy and also at Mr. Arun Shourie. While the later is sulking day-in day-out and maligning our PM, our Swamy is working hard only and only in the interst of the nation and trying to strengthen the hands of NaMo. What a diffrence?
For taking the bold decision of repealing the temporary provision of Art 370 & 35A stealthily inserted by the womaniser Jawaharlal Nehru against National interest, Modi should take the bold step of appointing Dr Subramanian Swamy as Cabinet Minister in the PMO to advise him to weather the political storm that may be created by Cong / Communist / TMC / SP / BSP combine, who have no affection for our Country. Security should be strengthened in our Eastern, Western and Northern Borders adjoining Bangladesh, Pak & China to face any eventuality. Cong / Communist / TMC / SP / BSP they will instigate, create and fund INTERNAL DISTURBANCES like mob lynching, vandalising places of worship on their own and put the entire blame on BJP, as they are now COMRADES IN DISTRESS. For them doing any thing is acceptable to dislodge the Narendra Modi led NDA Govt. Simultaneously, Modi Govt should expedite the process of charge sheeting ALL CORRUPT POLITICIANS / CORRUPT OFFICERS and make them all to face trial THROUGH FAST TRACK COURTS and APPOINT INCORRUPTIBLE PUBLIC PROSECUTORS.
Modi lacks an astute, erudite & experienced Economist-cum-Master political strategist to give him sage counsel on Economics, Foreign Affairs, Internal Security and Political affairs and stand by him to face any eventuality. There is no other person except Dr Subramanian Swamy who can do this onerous task in the interest of our Country. Dr Swamy is physically fit and possesses the manifest competence, unimpeachable integrity, requisite expertise, experience in all matters of governance and age bar of 75 years set by Prime Ministerial prerogative, by Shri Narendra Modi, should be WAIVED [ especially in case of Dr Swamy] and in our supreme National interest. Even his chosen Cabinet Ministers below 75 years of age, handling key Ministries, are having lot of physical disabilities. [ Like Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Manohar Parrikar ]. Good sense shall prevail on our PM as our Country is passing through crucial time in its history. Mr Narendra Modi, are you listening ?
Why would anyone hope he would do with election around?
Can Modiji bite the bullet?It will be worth watching
Agreed