‘Delimitation process should be impartial, transparent’
Avtar Bhat
DODA, Nov 17: Regretting that J&K has suffered a heavy damage over last two years after the annulling of Article 370 and a lot of wedge has been created among the people, former Chief Minister of J&K and senior Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that need of hour is that this wedge has to be bridged in the larger interests of the people.
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Talking to media, at Thathri near here today, the senior Congress leader said that the delimitation process should be impartial otherwise it will again result in public unrest and resentment. He said if delimitation is done on table and in a partial manner with political interference then there is no fun of it as J&K has already suffered a heavy loss over last two years since August 5, 2019 and a lot of wedge has been created among communities in the UT.
Azad, who was also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha (RS), said that delimitation if held in impartial manner without the political interference as was done during Congress rule it will be in the interest of the people of the UT.
Azad said if the delimitation is done in a transparent and independent manner, it will be in the larger interest of the people of J&K UT and if there is political interferences in delimitation process then, interests of the people will be definitely harmed.
In response to another question regarding demand of probe against the killings in Hyderpora, Srinagar, Azad said he too demands an impartial probe. He said it is unfortunate that in all selective and targeted killings no arrest has been made so far. The agency involved in these killings have changed the modus operandi now. Earlier, they were using AK -47, triggering bomb blasts and the Government had found a solution to it. Later they changed the strategy and threw grenades but the Government also found solution to that, he added.
“Now they (terrorists) have changed the modus operandi of attack and they fire at a person near his ear or head. So the arrest of the terrorists involved in these targeted killings is must to find a solution to it also”, he added.
On the opening of Kartarpur Sahab Corridor in Punjab, Azad said he favours its opening. There should be no ban in visiting of people to religious places situated in other countries despite the hostilities between the countries. He said opening of Kartarpur Sahab corridor for pilgrims is a good step.
Azad feigned ignorance about the news reports that some of his supporters are quitting Congress as they have revolted against PCC chief, Ghulam Ahmed Mir. “I have no knowledge of it”, he said in reply to a question in this regard.
Later addressing a mammoth rally at Thathri, Azad said erstwhile Doda district was known for its age old communal harmony, brotherhood, rich culture and civilization, where people of Hindu as well as Muslim communities lived in complete peace and harmony. “The day there will be a breach in the good relationship of two communities that will be his last visit to the area”, he added.
The senior Congress leader said Doda district was one of the biggest districts so far as its area was concerned before carving out other districts out of it and people of both communities nurtured a common culture for centuries together here. He said he feels proud of this cultural heritage of the erstwhile Doda district where the Hindus and Muslims have intimate relations and he wished that there should be no breach in these relations in future times too.
Azad without naming any political party or organization took a dig at divisive and communal forces saying the -God whom we call Bhagawaan or Allah made this entire universe in which people of different religions live. “Had he to divide the people then he would have made separate Universes for different religions. “When God did not divide us what right we have to divide the people’? he asked.
The senior Congress leader said “By nature we have to share the water of rivers, crops of land etc as God made it for the entire humanity so we are no body to create a conflict on the basis of religion and divide people”.
He, while referring to development of Doda region said during his Chief Ministership many offices were opened at district headquarters with the intension that the people don’t face problems.
Addressing the rally, former Minister, GM Saroori highlighted the development made during the tenure of Azad in the erstwhile Doda district in particular and J&K in general.
Another former Minister Jugal Kishore Sharma while addressing said that people of J&K irrespective of their caste, religion and region have lot of regard and love for Azad.
Former Minister and ex-MLA Banihal, Vikar Rasool said that earlier leaders had neglected the erstwhile Doda district in development and it was for the first time when Azad took over as CM of J&K in 2005 that special attention was paid to the development of the erstwhile Doda district.
The rally was also addressed by Naresh Sharma and Sham Lal Bhagat, ex MLCs.
Earlier, a huge public rally and road show was held in Thathri in which thousands of people raising “pro Congress and pro Azad” slogans participated.
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