Protection of people’s rights & dignity key to healthy democracy: Bhalla

JAMMU, May 07 : JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla Sunday said recognition and protection of people’s rights and dignity as well as speedy justice is imperative for functioning of a healthy democracy. Addressing series of public meetings at Guru Nanak Nagar in Bahu constituency as a part of mass contact programmes from booth level to mobilize public opinion against wrong policies of BJP Govt in Gandhi Nagar constituency, Bhalla said, “For the functioning of a healthy democracy, it is imperative that the people feel that their rights and dignity are protected and recognized. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Block President Mandeep Singh, Parveen Gupta, Tara Sharma, Parveen Basotra, Subash Chander Gupta, Manhor Lal Sharma, Daleer Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Parshotam Kumar, Sham Sharma, Pawan Sharma, Surinder Singh, Harish Sharma, Puran Singh Manhas, Ashwani Sethi, Parveen Singg, Parveen Sharma, Sanjay Gupta Murlu, Onkar Singh, Vicky Singh, Jasbir Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that similar programmes will be organized through J&K to rejuvenate cadre for the various challenges ahead in J&K . Expeditious adjudication of disputes is the hallmark of a healthy democracy. He said denial of justice would result in anarchy and destabilization of the judicial institution as people would seek a solution to their grievances through extrajudicial mechanisms. Peace shall only prevail, when people’s dignity and rights are recognized and protected,” he said. Asserting that people want restoration of their honour and dignity, Bhalla demanded holding of much delayed Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir for the empowerment of people.

“The people across J&K are feeling disempowered with the bureaucratic regime. On the other, the unnecessary delay in holding assembly elections has given rise to the feeling of alienation among the people which needs to be addressed at the earliest,” said Bhalla.  He said that basic needs of the people whether electricity, clean drinking water, road, basic infrastructure for hospitals, and educational institutions are quite irregular due to the poor response from Govt.

As the civil administration has completely collapsed, it is ample time to restore the confidence of the people who are feeling sidelined with no elected representative or Govt in place. The people in both the regions have similar demand to restore statehood and hold Assembly Elections in J&K without delay, he said, and questioned that “If elections can be held in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and others states and UTs in the country, why they are delayed in J&K.” He said that the people want their honour and dignity to be restored with the restoration of statehood.

Bhalla said that the Govt officials have harassed people on the name of formalities in old age pension schemes, but forget to complete the pending developmental projects.He said that vacant posts in various Govt Departments are vacant but no process to fulfill them was taken up. Even as the youth are on the roads demanding employment, the Govt has failed to advertise the vacant posts in various departments for their recruitments.” He criticized the recruitment agencies which has created mistrust among the aspiring youth in J&K for various jobs with the disclosure of recruitment scam.

The situation is not favorable for the common man in J&K. The bureaucrats have failed to do anything for the welfare of J&K and its people. The elected Govt is responsible to the people as it works for them. However, the babus are not answerable to the people.  He further said that BJP and other traditional political parties have created misunderstanding among the people of two regions. They do divisive politics. However, we believe in unity and brotherhood among the people in J&K.

While denouncing the divisive forces, Bhalla said that the people have shown their faith in Congress Party. He said that Congress will form the next Govt in J&K and all the regions will get equal representation.“We will not allow the bulldozer politics to flourish in J&K. The people from all sections of society are against it. People want peace, prosperity and development and Congress is committed to provide stability and equitable development,” he added. He  said that Congress believes that youth are the future of J&K as well as of the country. Hence, they should be guided towards the right track that leads them to peace and progress, but not to the violence. He said that the Legislative Assembly should be held without delay as it has given rise to anguish among the people. He said that “As there is no elected Govt in place, the Govt officials compel people to line up outside their offices. They are not people friendly. The elderly persons have to move from pillar to post to complete formalities to get a pension. Similarly, the development has stopped. The babus are working in a wayward manner,” he claimed.

Bhalla said that like the rest of India, J&K, too, suffer equally if not more under the authoritarian regime of this government. He stated that the situation of J&K is hopeless and chaotic under the BJP. He said “Government had promised that the people of Jammu will not be disappointed after J&K was turned into a union territory. However, people have only faced disappointment since then.The new land laws are an attack on the unique identity of J&K which needs to be protected at all costs.

He stated that the worsening economic and political scenario in J&K calls for immediate action against the government and Congress party in Jammu will strive for reverting such policies which can harm the growth and development of J&K. Secularism is a unique strength of the country, he said, adding that all the citizens have the responsibility to strengthen it. Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-economic development is the focal point of Congress. He further said being representative of the people’s aspirations, the party will raise the issues confronting the people at all forums for their mitigation. Our pro-poor, pro workers, pro agriculturalist, progressive ideology and our commitment to people first are what make us a durable and surviving party in the sub-continent.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)