Jammu, July 21: The Jammu State People’s Movement (JSPM) on Monday organised a peaceful protest at Tawi Bridge, Jammu, to reiterate the democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu Province and to convey two important messages to the Government of India, the movement said in a statement.
The protest coincided with the gathering of Kashmir-based political parties in New Delhi demanding the restoration of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir. JSPM said that this demand does not represent the aspirations of the people of Jammu.
While attempts continue to project the restoration of the pre-2019 arrangement as a common demand of both regions, the people of Jammu do not wish to return to a political system under which they experienced decades of discrimination in political representation, allocation of resources, establishment of institutions, public employment and overall development, it said.
JSPM believes that Jammu and Kashmir have distinct histories, identities, developmental priorities and political aspirations. The restoration of the erstwhile state cannot be presented as the collective will of the entire region, it said.
The people of Jammu seek a separate Jammu State within the Union of India, enabling responsive governance, balanced development and the protection of Jammu’s historical, cultural and geographical identity, the movement said.
The Movement also expressed concern that despite the constitutional changes of August 2019, many of Jammu’s long-standing concerns remain unresolved. The aspirations of the people of Jammu cannot remain subordinate to narratives framed elsewhere. The time has come for Jammu’s voice to be heard independently and on its own merits, it said.
The second objective of the protest was to urge the Government of India to initiate a meaningful and structured dialogue with the civil society of Jammu, JSPM said, expressing disappointment that the 29 MLAs elected from Jammu Province have failed to effectively articulate the region’s genuine concerns and aspirations or build a united voice for Jammu’s interests.
JSPM believes that the future of Jammu cannot be decided without directly engaging its people. It called upon the Government of India to initiate consultations with representatives of Jammu’s civil society, including former civil servants, ex-servicemen, academicians, professionals, business organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders, so that Jammu’s aspirations are understood first-hand.
The Movement also expressed concern over the continuing demographic changes taking place in parts of Jammu Province. JSPM urged the Government to take timely policy measures to preserve the region’s demographic balance, historical identity and social harmony, so that future generations inherit the same plural and inclusive Jammu that has always been the strength of this region.
JSPM once again clarified that its movement is not against the people of Kashmir. “We hold no ill will towards them. Our struggle is against a political arrangement that, in our considered view, failed to provide Jammu equitable representation and development for decades,” it said.
