Tarun Upadhyay
Jammu, July 5: J&K Apni Party president and former Minister Altaf Bukhari said today that J&K bureaucracy is failing in implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making Jammu and Kashmir the most developed region of the country.
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“PM’ vision is to make J&K the most developed UT. In his vision Art 370 and Art 35 A were coming in its way but in the last four years I haven’t seen this vision being implemented.”
Bukhari, in an interview with Excelsior News-digital edition of Daily Excelsior, said while the PM’s vision with regard to J&K is “fantastic” but it’s not being implemented on the ground. “I don’t think this bureaucracy can implement it. Only democratic set up can do so.”
Former J&K Minister said he endorses and supports the perception that bureaucracy in J&K is acting like a “East India Company” coupled with the fact that it’s bureaucrats from outside the J&K who are at key positions.
On being asked how State polity has changed fundamentally after Aug 5, 2019, when Art 370 was abrogated by the Modi Government, he said: “Delhi now has clear policy with regard to J&K with no grey areas and only one narrative will play out. The people of J&K will automatically follow that.”
“Earlier who propagated narrative of ‘Self-Rule’ and ‘Autonomy’? It was Delhi, though the implementers were in J&K. NC gave call for referendum but then who gave them Government in 1975? it was Delhi. The point is Delhi has been consistently playing dubious role. Didn’t Cong support the abrogation of Art 370. Now with Modi Government there is no confusion.”
Bukhari said the people of the J&K suffer when Delhi “rulers” look at it through the prism of national politics rather than through people’s prism.
“We are nationalistic people. People living along border are the ones who first take enemy’s bullet. They have given sacrifices so we don’t need lecture on sacrifice or nationalism,” said Bukhari.
Even though enough indications have been given by the Modi Government that elections in J&K are likely to be held by the end of this year but there is no indication on restoring Statehood though the Home Minister Amit Shah had repeatedly said it’s the commitment of Modi Government.
“It now seems that restoring Statehood is an open-ended commitment In the past too Delhi has acted in this manner. Delhi feels holding elections here is a favour rather it’s a Constitutional right of the people of J&K. Denying it is a ‘criminal act’,” said Bukhari.
On being asked why elections are being delayed, Bukhari said he feels Delhi is trying to “punish” the people for the sins which common people didn’t commit though may have been committed by some leaders.
Bukhari said the order issued on Mar 31, 2020 reserving only level-4 jobs for the J&K residents was reflective of highly “insensitive” approach of the BJP Government. The order was changed later when there was huge backlash across the J&K.
He said the Centre is not understanding the pain of Jammu and Kashmir and J&K leadership has also failed to put clear picture before Centre and it’s because of this fact that Centre could issue such order , though it was changed later.
Speaking about the recent targeted killings, he termed them as highly despicable act which is handiwork of forces who are dying slowly but there is need to expose forces supportive of such acts. Though, Bukhari said since BJP is directly ruling J&K the security failure lies squarely at it.
In the past two years, Dogra Hindus who are staying there for decades have also been killed by militants. Only recently teacher Rajni Devi from Samba, and truck driver Satish Singh were killed in Kulgam. Satish Singh was among handful of Dogra Hindu families staying in the Valley.
Altaf Bukhari said he believes there could be a reason why Dogra Hindus are being targetted now when it has not happened in the past
” Now there are no local officers at the helm of affairs but an impression has been created and exploited by anti-nationals in Kashmir that what has “befallen” on them the responsibilities lies with Jammu . This could be reason why Jammu Hindus are being targeted in Kashmir.”
On the allegations that Apni Party is the B Team of BJP, a party propped up by the Centre, Bukhari said there is nothing wrong in meeting PM or Home Minister Amit Shah for addressing the issues of the people of the J&K.
“I did nothing wrong in meeting PM on 8th March 2020 but then Apni Party was called the B team of BJP. Now when all political leaders were invited by the PM on 24th June 2021 they all were present. What should they be called A, B or C teams . NC and PDP had alliance with BJP. Now NC and BJP are partners in Kargil Hill Development Council.”
Apni Party president said the politics of Self-Rule and Autonomy was politics of hypocrisy but now it will not have any currency in Kashmir and people will reject. He said in Jammu too people have to reject the politics of religion which the BJP has peddled so far with support of the people.
“If earlier 60% Jammu people were unhappy with abrogation of Art 370 , now 90 % Jammu people are insecure. Mining, liquor trade has been taken over by ‘outsiders’. A mafia is operating and soon the same situation will be in Kashmir. We can’t let this continue,” he said.
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