BuzzBytes Jammu 19 December2023:

In a significant development, leaders from various political parties in Jammu convened for a meeting on Monday, marking the first such gathering after the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The leaders, representing parties such as Shiv Sena (UBT), National Panthers Party (NPP), and Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP), voiced their collective demand for the immediate restoration of statehood, holding assembly elections, and extending Article 371 to Jammu and Kashmir.
NPP Chairman’s Perspective:
Harsh Dev Singh, NPP chairman and former minister, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of remotely controlling Jammu and Kashmir for many years. He emphasized the importance of a democratically elected government as an antidote against militancy, extremism, and violence. Singh raised concerns about the influx of bureaucrats from outside the region, contributing to the growing alienation among the local populace.
Shiv Sena (UBT) President’s Statement:
Manish Sahni, the president of Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir, shed light on the meeting’s agenda, which encompassed crucial issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir, with a specific focus on the Jammu region. Discussions included the restoration of statehood, extension of special status under Article 371, assembly elections, deportation of illegally settled immigrants, and the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.
DSSP’s Stance on Article 371:
Vijayant Pathania, Jammu district president of DSSP, expressed his party’s support for the extension of Article 371 to Jammu and Kashmir. The rationale behind this support lies in safeguarding land and job rights for the local populace. Pathania highlighted the formation of a committee during the meeting, dedicated to ensuring the implementation of the discussed agenda points on the ground.
Social Activist’s Input:
Anna Durani, a social activist, brought attention to the eight points discussed in the meeting, including safeguarding Dogra culture and heritage, as well as advocating for the inclusion of Punjabi in the list of official languages. She stressed the need for unity and a sustained struggle to achieve the outlined agenda, promoting the region’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
Challenges and Aspirations:
The political leaders and activists also demanded the deportation of illegally settled immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, the regularisation of daily wagers, and the immediate lifting of toll plazas from the Jammu-Pathankot highway, citing the heavy influx of pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
Looking Ahead:
As the political landscape in Jammu continues to evolve, the unity among these political parties and their shared agenda for the region’s development and preservation of its unique identity will undoubtedly shape the discourse in the days to come. The call for statehood, extension of Article 371, and resolution of key issues reflects the collective aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for a stable and democratically governed future.