SPECIAL REPORT / ANCHOR
JAMMU: STATE TIMES’ discourse on ‘J&K must have a Hindu Chief Minister! But who?’ evoked overwhelming response for nearly a month from the esteemed members of the civil society, comprising intellectuals, veterans, retired bureaucrats, political analysts and above all the youth, mostly students. The active participation of the opinion leaders reflected Jammu’s growing consciousness over the need for attaining political empowerment in the true democratic spirit of the world’s largest democracy. The crux of the debate revolved around one single point- Jammu yearning for breaking the hegemony of Kashmir, which has ruled the roost over the then three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh since past seven decades and more. As a matter of right, the Valley, in fact the majority community, has been clinching on the top political executive slot. A single aberration in 2005 witnessed a change from the tradition but again the choice remained restricted to an incumbent belonging to a particular religion. Is this democracy? Those crying hoarse over democracy being trampled in India, have never ever questioned the right of a particular religion and region enjoying privileges at the cost of the other regions and religions. And, once a finger is raised against this hegemony, liberals jump to silence the sanity by terming the observation as communal. This is Kashmir style of democracy, which has no parallel across the country.
The so-called leaders have always put this important facet of democracy under the carpet-for obvious reasons and for their vested interest. They have been getting overt and covert support of New Delhi in this undemocratic practice and tradition. However, post August 5, 2019 developments have changed the mindset. The people, especially those from Jammu, are realising that if the special status of Jammu and Kashmir could be reversed, why not the unhealthy and undemocratic practice of political empowerment of a particular region and religion.
Self-respect, magnanimity and sense of sacrifice have been core of the Jammu ethos. This is why they have allowed themselves to get exploited in the larger national interest. Their silence has been taken as their weakness. For this, the factotums of Jammu are hugely responsible. They have brought disrepute to the Jammu pride by voluntarily playing the second-fiddle role to their Kashmiri masters. But enough is enough. The people of Jammu have made it clear that they are not going to take exploitation, deprivation and humiliation to their stride. They have spoken their heart. They have spelt out their choice. They want a change. They want Jammu to be an equal partner in the political power. This time around they want a Chief Minister from the Jammu region. Most of them want the incumbent to be a Hindu-not because of BJP but on the basis of experience gained over a period of time-73 years precisely.
In their pursuit to gain political empowerment by being equal shareholders in the statecraft, Jammu choice has, by and large, been restricted to four politicians-Sham Lal Sharma of BJP, Devender Singh Rana of National Conference, Dr Jitendra Singh and Ashok Kaul, both belonging to the right wing BJP.
This is what the people of Jammu voiced in their posts for over a month. But what remains the ground reality is totally against what the opinion leaders have zeroed in. Though Sham Lal Sharma has emerged as the favorite yet his chances are restricted because of being a non-Swayamsevak and an erstwhile Congressman.
The BJP has a history of breaking the leaders of other parties but not owning them up vehemently. Sham Lal Sharma remains an outsider despite being an insider for about two years now. This follows Devender Singh Rana, a vocal National Conference leader. He is being construed as a right politician in the wrong party because of the erratic and provocative statements of Abdullahs, who find China a Messiah after cradling Pakistan for over seventy years. Dr Jitendra Singh runs parallel in the race but his disconnect with the party workers at the grass roots level and non-accessibility emerges a major bottleneck in the ladder of power.
His deployment in Delhi has further widened the gap with common masses. Dr Jitendra has realised the hard fact of his unacceptability among people in Jammu, which is why he has abruptly become active on social-media, after ‘bombardment’ spree of relevant and irrelevant press releases of his own activities (ironically of others as well) on a daily basis to hog headlines. What is the relevance of North East press releases for the Jammu people? He can be in virtual mode with leaders and functionaries of the BJP but his disconnect with common voter is widening. Then comes Ashok Kaul, who is enjoying a clout in the cadre but remains a stranger to bureaucracy. He may be having immense organisational capacities and capabilities but lack of administrative experience fractures his chances to the top slot.
Except for Kaul, the other three front-runners to the slot of Chief Minister may have the administrative experience but credibility of their parties bleaks their chances to the top post in J&K. The issue ‘Jammu should have a Hindu CM’ again goes to the peoples’ court, which are actual fountain-head of power.