Jugal terms it historical decision
Excelsior Correspondent
New Delhi, Aug 6 : The enthusiasm generated in Ladakh region after announcement of the resolution to create a separate Union Territory echoed in the Lok Sabha today with the young BJP lawmaker Jamyang Tsering, Namgyal thanking the Government for the initiative. Namgyal even earned the praise of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for his speech. In a tweet, the PM said the Ladakh BJP MP coherently presented aspirations of people of the region in his speech.
“My young friend, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal who is MP from Ladakh delivered an outstanding speech in the Lok Sabha while discussing key bills on J&K. He coherently presents the aspirations of our sisters and brothers from Ladakh”, Modi said in the tweet.
Participating in the debate on Statutory Resolution on Article 370 vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir and other relevant draft laws, Namgyal said it was for the first time in seven decades that the people of Ladakh got justice from the Centre.
Sentiments and aspirations of the people of Ladakh have been honoured for the first time, he said, adding that over the years the Ladakh region remained neglected by administration in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said there have been leaders who did not have respectable way of describing the Ladakh region and they used to even say Ladakh was that region where not even grass grows.
His remarks against PDP and NC leaders for their alleged step-motherly treatment against the region amused the members on the treasury bench and Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh were seen thumping their desks.
Many BJP MPs and ministers, including the likes of Smriti Irani – known for their oratory skills – were seen appreciating 34-year old lawmaker’s observations on the State of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir.
”Do these leaders know Ladakh region, do they know our language and culture or they only speak by reading books,” Namgyal asked referring to leaders from Congress, NC and PDP.
He said for 71 years, people of Ladakh have been struggling hard to get UT status for the region and it is only after so many years that their wishes will be fulfilled.
In reference to senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former J&K Chief Minister, the BJP member said ”Did the leader concerned ever think about the jobs for the Ladaki youths when he was in power”?
He said even the demand for university went unheeded during Congress and other regional parties but the demand has now been met under the Modi regime.
Namgyal said that Ladakh was also deprived of higher education institutions by Congress, NC -PDP Governments and when new districts were created in the other two regions of the State Ladakh was not considered for the same.
He said even the Kashmiri language was included in Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution and later Dogri after the struggle by Jammu people was also included in the Eighth Schedule but Ladakhis who have been over the years demanding that Bhoti language be included in 8th Schedule were neglected. This shows the sheer discrimination to which this region was subjected to.
Namgyal, while refuting that Kargil people were against the UT status said they also voted for UT status to region and it was in our poll manifesto also. He said last time when the then Union Minster, Rajnath Singh visited Ladakh region and met cross section of people there belonging to different communities all in one voice said that they are for UT status.
He said even PDP and NC district presidents were signatory to the demand but later their parent parties in Srinagar expelled them from their parties. “Is this democracy of which you are talking of”, he asked. Taking a dig at those who were opposing the abrogation of special status to State, he asked: is this equality that you grabbed the funds meant for the development of Ladakh region over the years. “He further asked how many employees from Ladakh region are working in Civil Secretariat?
“You misused Article 370 and forced the Kashmiri Pandits to leave Valley. Is this the secularism of which you are talking?”
BJP MP, from Jammu, Jugal Kishore Sharma while defending abrogation of Article 370 said that this will herald in an era of development in the State. He said Article 370 was cause of entire mess in the State as youth of the Jammu and Ladakh regions were subjected to lot of discrimination due to the special status. He said the people of J&K are rejoicing today as Modi Government has corrected a historical wrong.
It was due to this special status that separatists and militants gained ground in the State, Kashmiri Pandits were thrown out of Valley and the doors of their return were also closed. Jugal said the West Pak refugees were deprived of their citizenship rights in the State because of this Special status and now there will be no discrimination with any body.
He welcomed the Prime Minster, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah for their bold initiative. He said with the abrogation of Article 370, the State will tread on the path of development and industrial sector will get boost which in turn will create job opportunities for the youth.
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