Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Mar 9: The National Conference Central Working Committee today resolved that the intolerance in Jammu and Kashmir is at its peak and said that it not how pluralistic democracies function.
The CWC of the NC met here at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Srinagar today and discussed the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the course of the meeting the members gave their estimation of the prevailing situation regarding the deteriorating security situation, development deficit and the rising tide of intolerance against contrarian views.
The CWC unanimously resolved that intolerance in J&K is at its peak saying that this is not how pluralistic democracies work. “The clamp down in the case of working journalists and media personalities is more insidious”, it said.
The CWC unanimously condemned the muzzling of the press and called upon the Government to release all jailed journalists.
It termed the trend of rolling out criminal charges and intimidation against journalists as highly deplorable.
It asked the Centre to refrain from using State apparatus from arm twisting and intimidating journalists. “There is complete intolerance of even a single critical word”, it said.
The members demanded revocation of all charges against journalists and also sought immediate release of those who are jailed. The CWC also expressed deep concern over the environment of political intolerance.
The meeting was presided over by the Party president Dr Farooq Abdullah. Among others the Party vice president Omar Abdullah, general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, addl general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, provincial presidents Nasir Aslam Wani, Ratan Lal Gupta, senior leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Mubarak Gul, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Ajay Sadhotra, Shameema Firdous, Sakina Itoo, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Hasnain Masoodi, Mir Saifullah, Aga Mehmood, Ram Paul, Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Javed Rana, AG Malik, Bimla Luthra, Lakshmi Dutta, Chaman Lal Gupta and Imran Nabi Dar were also present in the meeting.
The CWC condemned the series of blasts in Srinagar and Udhampur and expressed sympathies with the victim families, whose loved ones were killed in the incidents. They noted that the escalating levels of violence in J&K is alarming and is contrary to the claims of the Government on the return of peace to the region.
Condemning the violence, the members said that there is no place of violence in emancipated societies.
Condemning the failure of the administration to reach out to the people of J&K, the CWC maintained that nothing has changed on ground. The much touted promises on employment generation, development and investment have proved hollow.
The CWC reiterated to fight using all peaceful, legal and democratic means to have the changes of 5 Aug, 2019 reversed. They maintained that there can be no trade-off between the political aspirations and development needs of people and that both should go hand in hand.
CWC also sought to remind PM Modi about “Dil Ki Doori Aur Delhi Se Doori” remark in the All Party Meet in New Delhi in June 2021 saying nothing much has been done towards achieving that end. “Neither were the hearts connected nor was the distance between J&K and Delhi bridged,” it said.
The CWC regretted that the meeting did not translate into any concrete steps and follow up by GoI.
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