Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 18: Maintaining that Governor rule is not the legitimate substitute to democracy, eminent legal eagle and Chief Coordinator AICC Legal Affairs, Ashok Bhan has stressed for winning hearts and minds of people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Valley and put in place good democratic governance
Speaking in a webinar meeting of Lawyers associated with Indian National Congress, he alleged that PM Modi and BJP alienated the people of JK especially of Valley by scrapping the distinct status of the State, it’s bifurcation into two Union Territories and consequently depriving the people of basic rights of equality, life and liberty.
“The changing character of the insurgency is a serious warning signal that an urgent policy correction at all levels of governance, and a strategic shift, is urgently needed to prevent escalation and further radicalisation. Now Pakistan-China axis is emerging as a serious challenge not only in Jammu & Kashmir but to the sovereignty of the country, as such the policy correction is an imperative necessity,” he stressed.
“People know the disastrous consequences of the harm Pakistan and terrorists have done to the current and future generations of Kashmir. But the anti-India sentiment that has grown over the years is so strong that people refuse to see the logic,” he added.
Urging the Government to acknowledge that use of military force was not a solution to the complex situation of Kashmir, Mr Bhan said that it has to be a blend of engagement and dialogue with all the stakeholders. “It is the psychological, attitudinal, social, political and economic grievances that need to be addressed. Therefore, the Government should worry more about winning back the trust of the people and let the terrorism be handled by the security forces,” he explained.
Mr Bhan also urged the CWC and high command to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Congress President since he alone was capable to lead the Party with Congress ideals, aggression, pluralism modernism in current challenging times.
“Rahul Gandhi is emerging as the principal challenger to Modi-2:0 to take on its all out failures, like economy failure with dipping GDP to minus double digit levels, growing unemployment, farmers distress, erosion of institutional functioning, foreign policy in South Asian region and elsewhere,” he said.