New Delhi: A group of people from Jammu and Kashmir have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about concerns they have about the Union government’s actions. The letter is based on a meeting the signatories participated in in Delhi.
The meeting was chaired by Om Prakash Shah, a peace activist and former journalist. Speakers at the meeting included Mani Shankar Aiyar, Nandita Haksar, Aarti Tikoo, Waqar Bhatti and others.
The letter highlights four broad areas of concern brought up during the meeting – “constitutional impropriety” in the way Article 370 was read down; denial of democratic rights and the lack of assembly elections; continuing violence; and the feeling of alienation and lack of trust that persists.
In their recommendations to the prime minister, the signatories have suggested that Jammu and Kashmir be granted statehood again, and elections be held at the soonest possible date. Issues around unemployment as well as the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits also need urgent attention, they have said.
Read the full text of the letter below.
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Mr. Narendra Damodar Modi,
Prime Minister Of India
New Delhi
Dear Modiji,
Namaskar!
We are pleased to inform you that we held a round table discussion on “Another Look At Articles 35A & 370: Statehood for & Elections in Jammu & Kashmir” among a cross section of people from J&K & other states at IIC on June 17, 2023.
We would like to bring to your attention the noteworthy views that emerged from the free discussion :
Constitutional impropriety : The participants expressed concern that the abrogation of Article 370 & Article 35A was carried out without the involvement of the people of erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir & in the absence of their elected representatives. They described the action as Constitutional Impropriety that undermined commitments made by successive governments & the architects of accession without regard for history. They emphasized that the downgrading of the state & its division has led to marginalization& dissatisfaction among the people of J&K.
However one of the participants disagreed with the views & blamed regional parties for disregarding national interest & for having misused special status guaranteed under Articles370 & 35A.She held them responsible for the communalization of J&K & abusing Constitutional instruments, which resulted in separatism & terrorism,.
Denial Of Democratic Rights : The denial of Democratic Rights & the absence of Assembly elections were seen as disempowering factors, causing distress & deepening the existing trust deficit. The participants hoped that the Election Commission holds assembly elections soon, allowing the people of J&K to exercise their democratic rights freely & choose their representatives to restore faith in the democratic processes of the nation.
One of the participants differed again putting the onus on the mainstream regional parties & their approach, which led to the death & destruction of people & deferred democratic rights. She suggested that democratic processes in J&K will be either incomplete or meaningless until socio – economic rehabilitation including political empowerment of Kashmiri Pandits is ensured.
Security & Violence : There was near unanimity that peace continued to elude the region & violence still claimed innocent lives. This indicated lack of clear policy for sustainable peace & security.
Alienation, Fear & deficit of Trust: Economic distress, denial of audience, political disempowerment, communalization of J&K, unfulfilled commitments made in Parliament, failure to acknowledge ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits, failure to compensate the community socially, politically & economically & failure to ensure their safe return & rehabilitation, excessive use of state power to suppress the voice of the people& the absence of dialogue were identified as contributing factors to a sense of alienation, fear &a deficit of trust among the populace.
Recommendations for consideration :
1. Restoration of statehood : the restoration of statehood in J&K is essential to address the concerns raised by the participants.
2. Conduct early elections to Assembly : Holding elections at the earliest is crucial to regain the confidence of the people. It will be a significant step towards rebuilding democratic institutions for people – friendly governance in the region.
3. Facilitating legal disposal of cases on Article 370 & Article 35A : The pending petitions related to Article 370 & Article 35A in the Supreme Court should be given early disposal, considering their wider constitutional consequences.
4. Addressing Unemployment & Distressing Economy: Efforts should be made to address the issue of unemployment & revive the economy of J&K. Comprehensive measures , including skill development programs, promotional entrepreneuarship & attracting investments, should be implemented to improve the overall economic well-being of the region.
5. Return & Rehabilitation of Pandits: Recognizing the urgency to address the long pending issue of the Pandits, the efforts for their return & rehabilitation should be expedited under a result oriented & sustainable policy.
6. Foster Dialogue & Reconciliation : Meaningful dialogues & reconciliation initiatives should be undertaken to address the grievances & aspirations of all stakeholders in J&K.
7. Focus on Sustainable Peace & Security: Efforts should be made to establish sustainable peace & security in J&K.
Honourable Prime Minister , some of us would like to meet you & brief you about all these critical issues , in-person. We request your office to grant us an appointment soon.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
O.P. Shah
Chairman
Speakers :
- Aadil Nazir Khan
- Aarti Tikoo
- Angad Singh Khalsa
- Ashai Sheeban
- K. Mujju
- Harsh Dev Singh
- D. Khajuria
- Kapil Kak
- Mani Shankar Aiyar
- Muzaffar Shah
- Nandita Haksar
- Nizamuddin Bhat
- Tanvir Sadiq
- Tasleem Rehmani
- Waqar Bhatti