Civil Society resolves for Separate Jammu State: Endorsed by Academicians Lawyers and Prominent citizens in a seminar organised by DSSP

JAMMU, 6 August : A one-day seminar was organised by Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP) at Hotel Ritz Manor, Chhanni on the topic “Hammu in the Present Context and a way Forward”.  In a day-long marathon brain storming session by top Intellectuals, lawyers, Social Activists and Members of Social organizations of Jammu resolved to intensify the campaign for “Jammu as a Separate State”. In the main presentations made by the Former Justice JP Singh, Former Vice chancellor, University of Jammu Prof. R D Sharma, Prof Hari Om, Sr. Advocate KS Johal, Advocate AK Sawhney and Advocate Tarlok Nath expressed their views on the title of the seminar.

The seminar was divided into two sessions one devoted to discuss politico-cultural issues and the other to legal issues. The speakers made it clear that the demand of Jammu as a separate state of India is very much justified and qualifies all the norms and the guidelines provided in the Indian constitution to make a new state unit of India. The speakers, in a very detailed manner, highlighted various issues which the people of Jammu are facing without any of their faults. 

The glaring loss which the present Jammu is reeling under, is the absence of an elected government.  Jammu has been suffering due to the law and order problems in Kashmir, which Government of India is competent to tackle at its own without depriving the Civil and democratic rights of the people of Jammu.  It has been observed and rather is in the record that Jammu has faced governor rule from time to time only due to problems in Kashmir. Moreover we are a separate entity in every respect including our geographical location, our language, culture and climate as well.

Earlier, Dr. Hari Dutt Shishu, General Secretary (DSSP) while extending welcome address to the dignitaries said that DSSP has been trying to bring people of Jammu on a single platform to find out a permanent solution to the issues of Jammu which is possible only through making Jammu as a separate state of India.

Thakur GS Charak, Chairman Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu, while speaking on the occasion appreciated the initiative of DSSP for creating such a vibrant platform to strengthen the people of Jammu and preserve its rich cultural heritage.  He further said that we are ready to support any initiative of anybody which is in the interest of Jammu and Dogras.

Prof Hari Om said that the people of Jammu have always been used merely as a vote bank and have  been penalized for being nationalistic. While endorsing the DSSPs demand of separate Jammu State Prof. Hari Om batted for the restoration of Dogra Certificate as well as state subject which will help in preserving the Dogra identity and ensure their survival.

Dr. Amrinder Singh Amn, former additional secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Art Culture and Languages said that Jammu symbolizes the best example of communal harmony and diversity in the entire world. He highlighted the importance of mother tongue in shaping once identity and a sense of cultural empowerment, something which has been increasingly discouraged by successive governments of the state.

Adovocate HC Jalmeria emphasized that Jammu has always been exploited by Kashmir and New Delhi and expressed his dismay on the open loot of natural resources by the present dispensation. Senior Advocate AK Sawhney while speaking in the Legal session of the seminar lamented the delay in assembly elections in J&K so that the democratic process could be started. He advocated the formation of separate Jammu state under article 371 with required modification to protect the identity, culture and secular fiber of Jammu.

Maj. General Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, veteran Dogra leader appreciated DSSP and its leaders Ch.Lal Singh and expressed confidence that Ch. Lal Singh and his party is the silver lining and said that that time is not far when we will have our own Dogra State.

Former J and K High court Justice JP Singh, in his presidential remarks on the presentations made by the panelists said that it’s because of the lackadaisical approach of our people that we suffered till date and gave a clarion call to all the people of Jammu to take up this demand vociferously at every forum to realize this in practical terms. He termed downgrading of State of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territory as illegal and unconstitutional.

Ch. Lal Singh expressed confidence that the endorsement by the top intellectuals of Jammu for the demand of separate state, will certainly energize the people of Jammu to take up the campaign of Jammu as a separate state, Dogra Certificate and jobs to the locals, more aggressively. He said that people of Jammu have experienced that it’s only through the local party of Jammu that we can get what we deserve.

Neither the Kashmir based parties nor the National parties will ever help the people of Jammu for getting their share. “DSSP is already in the field and hardly a day passes when we are not meeting people of every nook and corner of Jammu to stand united to achieve this most wanted demand of Jammu”, said Ch. Lal Singh Those others who spoke on the occasion include Former IGP Sh Johny Williams, Sh Rajiv Chuni, Chairman SOS International and Advocate Tarlok Nath Gupta, Advocate BS Jamwal and Smt. Kanta Andotra former MLA and President DSSP presented the formal Vote of Thanks.     

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