Why do we need a separate state of Jammu Pradesh?

Jan Aadesh Jammu Pradesh

Jammu Pradesh is the region of Jammu province which was on the receiving end of the regional discrimination perpetrated by the Kashmiri political leaders. Today all 10 districts of the province (Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar ) feel betrayed because our rights are snatched and we have to fight back for everything. Jammu Pradesh has survived amid severe discrimination and resource crunch but we feel it is high time we must end this perpetual discrimination and take charge of our land, our people, our culture, our heritage and our growth. It is our democratic right to ask for a separate Jammu Pradesh on the same lines on which the states within the Union of India were formed.Following are some of the main reasons why we need a separate Jammu Pradesh:

Development projects: Many development projects are stalled for decades and growth of Jammu region is hampered because of nefarious designs of Kashmir based political class. Projects like Jammu metro, Redevelopment and expansion of Jammu Bus Stand, Mismanaged public sector, Artificial lake and many other road projects are pending since decades. These projects are deliberately delayed by the Kashmir centric administration at the helm of affairs. Inter district connectivity of all 10 districts of Jammu Pradesh was never given importance but sinister efforts are on to divide Jammu and create rift in this region. There is a continuous push to promote Kashmir and suppress Jammu and is the very basis of a separate Jammu Pradesh.

Tourism: Tourism for Jammu region is neglected and no infrastructure development has happened.Tourism sector in Jammu is not promoted just because there is so much potential in Jammu region that if it is promoted there is insecurity in Kashmir dominated administration and politicians that it will bring down the tourism in Kashmir. It is because of this fear tourist spots are not developed. Road connectivity to these destinations is in shambles and the outcry of Jammu residents are falling on deaf ears. Until and unless we have a Jammu centric administration we don’t see tourism in Jammu will be promoted.

Employment Opportunities: Government jobs for youth of Jammu Province are snatched away under a deep conspiracy, to ensure complete domination in bureaucracy and administration. Currently the share of Jammu residents in government jobs is very less and is decreasing with each passing day. Private sector is also not encouraged and it has pushed the youth of Jammu Pradesh in deep slumber. There is mass mismanagement and misconduct in the selection process. We have seen in the past how the youth of Jammu have felt that there is partiality in the job interviews and corruption in the whole process. Until and unless you have a separate Jammu Pradesh there will be an administrative blockade to set up industries in the region. For our youngsters of the state to find jobs in their own homeland and not migrate we need to set up industries and invite private investment in the region.

Political and Administrative Prejudice: Politics of vendetta started with the exile of the last maharaja of Dogri Empire and since then for the last 70 years it continued. Nefarious designs to promote Srinagar and suppress Jammu shows the biased approach of the Kashmir centric political class which has alienated all 10 districts of Jammu province. Power center was always kept in Kashmir province and Jammu province remained in a state of oblivion for more than 7 decades. Jammu was the capital of J&K but slowly Jammu is sidelined and Srinagar is projected as the capital city and a lot of projects like the international Airport are taken away from Jammu. Jammu Province had to fight for everything and we want to end this perpetual bias and favoritism practiced by Kashmiri politicians. All 10 districts of Jammu province are underdeveloped and people are intentionally entangled in running after basic necessities like roads, power and water. There is a need for a separate state for all 10 districts of Jammu Pradesh so that equitable development of the region can happen and we can prosper with our potential. We have witnessed how key ministries and the chief minister are kept with Kashmir because of their insecurity and fear of losing power to Jammu or to push Kashmiri hegemony down our throat. Jammu Pradesh can’t prosper under this snatch and grab games.

Public Services: Corruption has grappled the whole Jammu Province and public services are not delivered to common people. Healthcare and education sectors are crushed as a part of sinister design. Funds for developmental works or to improve the public services are either lapsed or diverted to Kashmir. There is only symbolic allocation on paper and various schemes are on the paper and never saw the light of the dawn. There are many projects which are approved but the work has not started for decades and those started are only a means to loot public money.

Cultural Heritage, Languages and Traditions: There is a huge difference in the culture, languages and traditions of Jammu province from Kashmir province. If you look at the union of states of Indian union you will see that the very basis of the states in the language, culture and its heritage. Our forts and other monuments of historical importance are in danger because of negligence and there is a deliberate attempt to do harm to our rich heritage. There are many languages/dialects spoken in Jammu province and they are on the verge of extinction because of the imposition of a particular language on all of us. Dogri, Gojri, Bhaderwahi, Paddari, Sarazi, Pogali , Poonchi, etc. are few of the languages/dialects spoken in this region but it needs to be protected and empowered. There are deliberate efforts to change the very basic ethos of this land by inviting illegal immigrants from Burma/Bangladesh and resettle in Jammu. Innovative schemes like the Roshni Act were brought in to change the demography of the region and to grab the forest cover and government land for personal benefits. People of Jammu Pradesh are influenced by the fundamentalists and it will disrupt the pluralistic and a progressive society which has existed for centuries.

Economic Disparity: Jammu province is bigger in size than Kashmir province and revenue generated by the Jammu province is also more than Kashmir Province. Despite being a major contributor to the state exchequer, Jammu province is given a very small share in the allocation of funds. There are no efforts to improve the financial condition of the residents by giving equal economic opportunities to Jammu province. Jammu Pradesh has a lot of potential in horticulture, floriculture , tourism , agriculture, industrial setup, healthcare tourism, education hub but it is not able to leverage its potential because of administrative blockade and red-tape. In order to let Jammu Pradesh grow with its full potential and contribute to the GDP of the country it has to be released from the shackles of Kashmiri hegemony. By keeping Jammu underdeveloped we are pushing our generations in poverty and helplessness which is criminal. Jammu Pradesh will ensure that the potential of our people is not wasted and we can grow and prosper without any restrictions.

Geopolitical Significance: Jammu Province is bordering Pakistan on the west and it is very important to keep this region peaceful and save it from vested interests. We have an international border as well as LOC and it is very important that we have a coherent state with empowered nationalist voices and strengthened pluralistic ethos so that it helps in the growth and prosperity of the residents of this strategically located region. This is another important reason why we need a separate Jammu Pradesh.

Having said that if we delay the creation of Jammu Pradesh it will increase the discrimination and subsequently the plight of residents will grow with passing time. Jammu Pradesh will help safeguard the nationalist interests and marginalize the anti-national elements in J&K. It is not the first time such voices have come out but since 1947 such voices have emerged and subsided. It is pertinent that GOI acknowledge the sentiment of the people and address it in a timely manner. JPPM will fight for a separate Jammu Pradesh and will make a consistent effort to strengthen the resolve till it is achieved. JPPM is convinced and determined about the cause and it is we the people of all 10 districts of Jammu Pradesh who need to rise above the ideological lines and unite for a common cause of Jammu Pradesh. Let us join hands to end this discrimination in Public Services delivery, Tourism, Horticulture, Agriculture, Irrigation, Floriculture, Development Projects, Allocation of funds, intentional hindrance in infrastructural projects, inter-district connectivity etc. Let us unite together and make “Jammu Pradesh Peoples Movement” a success by making it a voice of every resident of Jammu province.  Jammu Pradesh is the only way forward for a prosperous and progressive state.