Srinagar, Oct 20: The J&K National Conference President, Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday stated that the People of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be subdued by the strong-armed measures and that a generous reach-out to the people of J&K is the only way out to address issues concerning people.
Addressing a workers convention in Banihal, Farooq Abdullah said this while questioning the projected dawn of a new era in Jammu and Kashmir post August 5, 2019. “Weren’t we told that August 5, 2019 decisions would bring lasting peace? Where is it then? Where is the much touted new dawn to bring job extravaganza for your educated and skilled youth? Where are those jobs? The projected Naya Kashmir by the ruling dispensation in New Delhi has proved to be a doomsday scenario for the people living on either sides of Chenab and Pir Panjal ranges,” he asked.
Farooq said the claims of GOI on Jammu and Kashmir are far from reality. “There has been a systematic disempowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly its youth. The claims of the BJP government that the abrogation of Articles 370,35 –A paved the way for job creation, decreased violence, nurturing democracy, eradicating corruption have fallen flat. The ground situation belies these claims. Having nothing to show, projects sanctioned by previous NC led governments are being shown as the outcome of abrogation. People, especially the youth of Kashmir, Chenab, Pirpanjal are feeling cheated. The alienation among the youth is at an all time high.
Farooq further stated that consultations are better than coercion. “Kashmiris, the People of Pirpanjal, Chenab, and Kargil cannot be subdued by strong-armed measures. Such things have proven abortive in the past and in the future also will prove vain. Democracies don’t work that way,” he added.
He said that NC has all along been protecting the sub-regional heterogeneities of Jammu and Kashmir but the incumbent dispensation at New Delhi, with its selective pick and choose policy, is allowing it to become a causality of majoritarian narratives. NC, he maintained, is committed to take care of the sub-regional aspirations of Doda, Kistawar, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and Bhadarwah. “NC has always voiced the genuine concerns of the people of Pipanjal and Chenab and we will continue to. It is the BJP which loathes the idea of empowering people of Pir Panjal, and Chenab belt. It is for you people to not allow such forces to take roots in your areas. It is a united voice that can save your future generations. The entire region is at a tipping point of history and any misstep at this juncture will have a bearing on your future generations,” he said.
