Gen J J Singh, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh be appointed as Governor of J&K as apart from his outstanding professional qualifications, he also happens to come from Marwah in Doda district

The present mass agitation in Jammu which has support of all sections of the people of Jammu is a volcanic outburst of pent up emotions for 60 years long perpetual discriminations in all the fields hurled on the people of Jammu region


Routes which includes Main Chowk Shastri Nagar (Starting point), Dudhadari Temple, Apsara Road, Gole Market, Green Belt Bikram Chowk to venue, Miran Sahib (Starting Point), Satwari, Vikram Chowk, Dogra Chowk to venue, Patta Borhi (Starting Point), Talab Tillo, Canal, Jewel Chowk to venue, Paloura Talab (Starting Point), Bakshi Nagar, B.C Road to Venue, Janipur Colony (Starting Point), New Plot, Ambphalla, Rehari Chungi, K.C Crossing, Indira Chowk to venue, D. C Office (Starting point), Residency Road, Vivekananda Chowk, J.P Crossing, Indira Chowk to venue, Panjtirthi (Starting Point), CPO Chowk, Ambphalla, Rehari, K.C Crossing, Indira Chowk to venue, Chhani Himmat, Main Market (Starting Point), Trikuta Nagar, Bahu Plaza, Panama Chowk, University, Bikram Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Indira Chowk to venue, Sidhra Colony (Starting Point), Radio Station, CPO Chowk, Ambphalla, Rehari, K.C Crossing, Indira Chowk to venue and Greater Kailash Sector 4 (Starting Point), Sainik Colony, Bhatindi, Narwal, Panama Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Bahu Bridge, Vivekanand Chowk, J.P Chowk, Indira Chowk

Former MLA Samba and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader, Yashpal Kundal 

Satish Poonchi, President, Jammu People’s Democratic Front

Jammu and Kashmir National Party, who are also supporting the agitation for land transfer, today entered its third day. Today, the activists led by Dr Randeep Singh Parihar, president

Hindu Shiv Sena chief organizer, Rajan Dutta, senior vice president, Rajiv Mahajan and city president, Pawan Choudhary 

The present mass agitation in Jammu which has support of all sections of the people of Jammu is a volcanic outburst of pent up emotions for 60 years long perpetual discriminations in all the fields hurled on the people of Jammu region

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey 

Gen J J Singh, who is at present Governor of Arunachal Pradesh be appointed as Governor of J&K as apart from his outstanding professional qualifications, he also happens to come from Jammu and Kashmir with his family home being in Marwah in Doda district

Duggar Pradesh Party (DPP) has termed the proposed all party meet being convened by Prime Minister in New Delhi as a futile exercise.

In a joint press statement issued here today, leaders of Duggar Party Mohan Singh, Udhay Chand, Inder Paul Singh, Versha Suri, Kulveer and Ram Singh 

Government has appointed eight advocates as Public Prosecutors and Additional Public Prosecutors for the newly created and existing Courts of District and Sessions Judges and Additional District and Sessions Judges.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Kathua. Ravi Gupta has been appointed as Additional Public Prosecutor, Kathua. Mohammad Amin Bhat has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Bandipora. Sofi Ghulam Ahmad Gash has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Ganderbal. 

Mushtaq Ahmad Gatoo has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Shopian. Sukhdev Singh has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Samba. G M Shah has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Kupwara and Abdul Rashid Thakur has been appointed as Public Prosecutor, Pulwama.

Meanwhile, the Government has accorded sanction to the extension in the term of appointment of 25 Public Prosecutors and Additional Public Prosecutors from June 1, 2008. 

They are Syed Maqbool Ahmad, Public Prosecutor Srinagar, Abdul Ahad Rather Additional Public Prosecutor Srinagar, Mirza Aftab Ahmad, 1st Additional Public Prosecutor Srinagar, Sheikh Mohammad Sultan, 2nd Additional Public Prosecutor Srinagar, Noor-ud-Din Wani, 3rd Addl. Public Prosecutor Srinagar, Tariq Ahmad Malik 4th Addl Public Prosecutor Srinagar, E A Tak Public Prosecutor Jammu, V K Sharma, Addl Public Prosecutor Jammu, Harpal Singh 1st Addl. Public Prosecutor Jammu, Ravinder Sharma, 2nd Addl Public Prosecutor Jammu, Gulzar Singh Charak 3rd Addl. Public Prosecutor Jammu, Som Raj Manhas, Addl. Public Prosecutor Doda, S A Khan, Public Prosecutor Anantnag, Karnail Singh, Public Prosecutor Baramulla, Tariq Ahmad Kakroo, Addl. Public Prosecutor Baramulla, Sanjay Dorjee, Public Prosecutor Leh, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, Public Prosecutor Kargil, Noor Mohammad Dar Public Prosecutor Budgam, Fareed Hussain Beigh, Public Prosecutor Bhaderwah, Showkat Ahmad Manhas, Public Prosecutor Poonch, G R Khajuria, Public Prosecutor Udhampur, Mirza Mukhtar Ahmad, Public Prosecutor Rajouri, Abdul Hamid Yatoo, Public Prosecutor Ramban, M M Sharma, Public Prosecutor Reasi and R K Goswami, Public Prosecutor Kishtwar

Member Parliament from Udhampur-Doda-Kathua constituency Choudhary Lal Singh alongwith former MLA Basohli, Kanta Andotra

President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ram Sahai says Jammu on discrimination-- Centre’s appeasement policy towards Kashmir which has been the cause of indiscrimination towards Jammu region

President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ram Sahai,

The Chamber also expressed concern over the Centre’s appeasement policy towards Kashmir which has been the cause of indiscrimination towards Jammu region

Mr Sahai told reporters here today that the Chamber team apprised the delegation about the discriminatory policies of Union Government towards the industry saying the Central package which was announced for 10 years period has been withdrawn only after three and a half years.

Development Commissioner Power, R. K. Seli and Chief Engineer, Electric Maintenance and RE, Jammu, A. K. Koul the Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association (JURSEA)J URSEA President, Vikas Sharma Vikas Nagar Mohalla Welfare Committee held a meeting under the chairmanship of Mangat Singh Raju

J&K Freedom Fighters’ Association 

BL Gupta, chairman, Ved Gandotra, president, TR Dogra, S Jagjit Singh, DD Jandyal, Rashpal Singh, Karan Singh, Pardesh Sher, Dr Amrit Puri, Th Pansedh Singh and Om Prakash Meenia

Bar Association Jammu, in a meeting held under the chairmanship of its president, B S Slathia

C M Sharma, Pawan Manni, Mandeep Dev Singh Jamwal, R K Kotwal, R K Gupta, Amrit Sareen, S K Shakula and Ajay Singh.

President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ram Sahai,

The Chamber also expressed concern over the Centre’s appeasement policy towards Kashmir which has been the cause of indiscrimination towards Jammu region

Mr Sahai told reporters here today that the Chamber team apprised the delegation about the discriminatory policies of Union Government towards the industry saying the Central package which was announced for 10 years period has been withdrawn only after three and a half years.

SAYSS, Leela Karan Sharma, convenor, Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), Mohammed Afazal and president, J&K Nationalist Movement, S M Bashir here, he said Kashmir was, is and would remain an integral part of India and those who want to go to Muzaffarabad in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) be provided vehicles to do so.

The conquest of Buddhism is the practical result of pacifism- The conquest of Zoroasterianism by the ruthless hands of Jehad is also the practical result of pacifism

The conquest of Buddhism is the practical result of pacifism- The conquest of Zoroasterianism by the ruthless hands of Jehad is also the practical result of pacifism

The first Western Buddhists were the Greeks descended from Alexander the Great’s army in what is now Afghanistan. 


Jihad destroyed all Buddhism along the silk route. About 10 million Buddhists were ruthlessly hacked to violent death. The conquest of Buddhism is the practical result of pacifism. 

Zoroasterianism was eliminated from Persia. The conquest of Zoroasterianism by the ruthless hands of Jehad is also the practical result of pacifism.

BJP National President Rajnath Singh garlanding the statue of Jan Sangh founder Prem Nath Dogra on his birth anniversary in Jammu

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM)

-President Yudhvir Sethi and

-General secretary

BJP National President Rajnath Singh garlanding the statue of Jan Sangh founder Prem Nath Dogra on his birth anniversary in Jammu on Tuesday

Member Parliament and senior Congress leader, Madan Lal Sharma 

MLC and Congress leader, R S Chib 

Praja Parishad Jammu Chander Mohan Sharma, president

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)

Sikh Jagrook Lehar (J&K), 

Dhanraj Bargotra, state president of Janata Dal (S), 

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) held a meeting today under the chairmanship of Lakshman Ravinder Singh 

Advocate SS Anand Lehar, president of Nami Dogra Sanstha,

Rajesh Bhat, Convenor of Progressive Youth Front,

Dr Randeep Singh Parihar, president, Jammu and Kashmir National Party (JKNP) 

J&K Bral Brahman Biradari 

J&K Minority Forum held an emergency meeting under the presidentship of Ravinder Kaul 

Greater Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha 

All J&K Saini Sabha 

All India Students Federation (AISF)Dr Vimal Manhas, state president

Inderjeet Khajuria, president, Jammu Hotels Lodges Association

Kuldeep Wahi, president, Jammu Prayatan Vikas Mandal; H S Anand, president, Hotel Bar and Restaurant Association; Mahesh Padha, president, Jammu Tourist Trade Employees Federation and others.

Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM)PKM president, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo 

Bahujan Samaj Party state vice president T D Langeh

Channi Himmat Residents Association (CHRA)

Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Kavinder Gupta 

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM)

-President Yudhvir Sethi and

-General secretary

BJP National President Rajnath Singh garlanding the statue of Jan Sangh founder Prem Nath Dogra on his birth anniversary in Jammu on Tuesday

Member Parliament and senior Congress leader, Madan Lal Sharma 

MLC and Congress leader, R S Chib 

Praja Parishad Jammu Chander Mohan Sharma, president

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)

Sikh Jagrook Lehar (J&K), 

Dhanraj Bargotra, state president of Janata Dal (S), 

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) held a meeting today under the chairmanship of Lakshman Ravinder Singh 

Advocate SS Anand Lehar, president of Nami Dogra Sanstha,

Rajesh Bhat, Convenor of Progressive Youth Front,

Dr Randeep Singh Parihar, president, Jammu and Kashmir National Party (JKNP) 

J&K Bral Brahman Biradari 

J&K Minority Forum held an emergency meeting under the presidentship of Ravinder Kaul 

Greater Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha 

All J&K Saini Sabha 

All India Students Federation (AISF)Dr Vimal Manhas, state president

Inderjeet Khajuria, president, Jammu Hotels Lodges Association

Kuldeep Wahi, president, Jammu Prayatan Vikas Mandal; H S Anand, president, Hotel Bar and Restaurant Association; Mahesh Padha, president, Jammu Tourist Trade Employees Federation and others.

Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM)PKM president, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo 

Bahujan Samaj Party state vice president T D Langeh

Channi Himmat Residents Association (CHRA)

Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Kavinder Gupta 

Govt should not become party to any regional competition--Whitepaper on Central University--Daya Sagar

Govt should not become party to any regional competition 

Daya Sagar

(Daya Sagar is social activist he can be reached at  dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk )

http://www.alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com/

Senior NC leader Ajay Sadotra has been quoted as having said that no decision for the site of the Central University in J&K has been taken yet and no team from MHRD has visited J&K for selection of land. J&K State Cabinet also resolved on July 31 to approach GOI for sanctioning two Central Universities for the two regions. May be GOI agrees for two Universities but still  the need is to remove the misunderstandings  like shifting the University to Kashmir that was sanctioned  for Jammu .The inter-regional divides amongst the YOUTH of J&K must be checked.

Rather Omar Abdullah, the youthful CM, must come out with a whitepaper on the actual status on (i) the proposals and sanctions already issued for Central University for Jammu & Kashmir and (ii) the reasons for setting up the temporary office of the Vice Chancellor of Central University at Srinagar. Let Kashmir Region too get the Institutions that are needed there but Government should not become party to any regional competition {with bitterness} between the people as regards demands.

Those who claim that a Central University was sanctioned for locating in Jammu Region and land was selected in Samba district must too immediately come out with any documentary evidence that they have. The Divisional Commissioner Jammu has been quoted earlier by media as having denied this. 

The student community of Jammu region is very much disturbed and is on the roads. Their protests are genuine. As regard setting up Central University in J and K,  some statements and disclosures are being made daily by the leaders including those from within the present Government and those who have remained in the Government   on the issue of setting up Central University . To check the confusions and a growing distrust the government should come out with a white paper on the sanction of Central University for J&K so that the issues could be targeted to a solution and the youth in particular is saved from divisive ideologies.

It was during the first quarter of 2008 that Ghulam Nabi Azad discussed the issues regarding Central University, IIM, Tribal University etc with the HRD and other ministries. The leadership from Jammu should have held the threads right from that time instead of raising the issue much later. It’s too late. Now the Vice Chancellor of the Central University has started operating from his office in Srinagar. If serious, the leadership should immediately come out shedding all political reservations to impress upon the Government that the backward and distanced areas of Jammu Region do need a Tribal University, IIM, IIT (IIIT ) and a Central University . Udhampur, Doda , Poonch / Rajouri Districts have genuine claims. 

Regional divides have grown over the years between Jammu Region and Kashmir Region. The political leadership has rather more actively taken part in broadening the gulf after 1995. Someone may say it after 1990 but I shall not agree since at time local leaders were too weak to prepare  a strong political working ground in J&K. The Militants and anti-India insurgents had in 1990 materially and psychologically overpowered the mainstream leadership of J&K. I would rather say, the leadership of Kashmir Valley, since it was only Kashmiri leaders who were till then more recognized by New Delhi to represent J&K. 

After 1995 political fields were prepared under the security cover and with moral & economic support from New Delhi. But still under the circumstances the Kashmir based leaders had (were rather compelled} to behave more Kashmir specific. Valley specific social, economic and administrative issues appeared better tools to the political leaders in Kashmir Valley to gain some grounds over separatist forces and growing pressures of separatist ideology. 29th Constitutional amendment bill of 2002 was a step in this direction .Sanction of 4 new districts in 2006 for   Kashmir Valley as against just one recommended by Wazir Commission (1984) too was one such action.

Kashmir Hindu had totally deserted the Kashmir Valley under the pressures of the pro Pakistan / anti Hindu elements in 1990. Migrants appeared having lost hopes of return to Valley. Since after 1990 over 98 % of local population in Valley comprised of Muslims any questions raised by people or parties for the cause of Jammu was named by some leaders from Valley  as even anti Muslim. Inter regional issues between Jammu & Kashmir hence was given some communal face lift as well by some leaders. Very less has been done to check it.

At the same time the political competition for votes grew more in Kashmir valley amongst  NC, PDP, Congress , others. Kashmiri leaderships looked for some new fields and strategies to expand their base out side Kashmir valley on regular basis. The Kashmir centric leadership had for over  50 years totally neglected far flung / distant /backward / poorly connected areas of Jammu region as regards education, employment, industry, local crafts  , agriculture, horticulture and services .They started using the religious brotherhood tools in  Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and adjoining areas. They sensed   some soft targets in the Muslim majority areas of Jammu region. 

The people of poor backward areas of Jammu region were too innocent and simple to know level of neglect. No doubt the leadership in Jammu Region was more near to centers of information and power was based in Jammu district and they too did not move out near to areas Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, etc. Masses from Poonch/ Rajouri/ Doda who were otherwise the worst sufferers did not go with the protests / projects to undo the neglect of Jammu Region.

So in general when ever some major neglect was pointed out against Jammu region it was given the color of protests by Hindu majority areas. 


Any how some local politicians did reap benefits on the side lines. The Shri Amarnath Yatra land agitation of June 2008 and half hearted delimitation commission demands could be quoted in this regard. 

 (Daya Sagar is social activist he can be reached at  dayasagr@yahoo.co.uk )

5th Working group report has in a way demonstrated that regional bias exists-Daya Sagar

A Look Through the Mist
5th Working group report has in a way demonstrated that regional bias exists
*Daya Sagar

(*Daya Sagar is a senior  coloumnist on Jammu &Kashmir Affairs, dayasagr45@yahoo.com )

http://www.alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com/



Report of  the Working  Group headed by Retd Justice S Saghir Ahmad (constituted by Indian
Prime Minister in May 2006 ) that was presented to JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah  at Jammu on 23rd December last year demonstrated the confusions that Justice Saghir Ahmed carried. 


Ofcourse  the WG report does not have much useful text on the subjects that related to Centre State relations .



Kashmiri over ground separatists did not participate in any of the working group meeting as well as
three Round Table Conferences chaired by Prime Minister. Chief Minister  Omar Abdullah presented the report to Prime Minister on 30 December. Omar Abdullah has still  suggested that Centre should hold dialogue with political parties on the issue of Autonomy and other issues. But  the report has failed to even settle the questions being raised by  mainstream groups like NC, PDP, BJP, JKNPP, BSP,etc. 


After having spent over two and half years the Chairman of the WG has in a way still  asked the J&K Chief Minister to study the prime referral  issues, work out road maps for the State Assembly and the Government of India  for consideration where ever deemed fit or practicable. In case the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had to do this, then , what was the Working Group doing. This way the process of constituting committees and groups would go on  till when, no one can tell this day.. 5th Working group report has in a way demonstrated that regional bias exists.



The report is full of regional divides. A separate university has been recommended for Ladakh.
A Dogri TV Channel  on the lines of Kashir Channel in Kashmir Valley has been recommended for
Jammu region. Upgradation of Government College of Engineering Jammu to the level of IIT  has been recommended . Simultaneously upgradation of NIT  Srinagar to the level of IIT has been recommended.



Have not regional considerations influenced Saghir Ahmed decisions concerning J&K? If so, then from Saghir Ahmed report atleast  message should go to Delhi that J&K needs some architecture keeping in view distinct regional needs of J&K. Before 1947 also Maharaja had managed State on similar lines.


Any how the summary of the text of the report as was disclosed through sources did demonstrate the pressures the ruling coalition government in J&K  is facing from the 3 regions of J&K in addition to the separatists.



The report has  made just passing references to  Greater Autonomy of NC, Autonomy Resolution 2000 of J&K Assembly, Self Rule of PDP and  Article 370 .There is nothing new in the report about these subjects. Only thing that could emerge is that National Conference  and PDP could use some passing references  to keep the people of Kashmir Region in illusions as regards future of centre state  relations.


In view of the non serious approach of the GOI regarding the questions raised on the accession of J&K with India  or the  talks of some conditional accession, it has to be accepted that for a common man of J&K (particularly Kashmir  valley) there is some thing still pending as regards deciding the relations between Indian and Kashmir (J&K State of Hari Singh ).


So, it was only the reference to Autonomy /Self Rule / Article 370 that did matter as regards  Kashmir Valley to those in power seat. No objections have been made from the leaders from Kashmir Valley  to the text of the report concerning  subjects like Autonomy / Self Rule / Article 370. Just reference of these subjects  for consideration has been satisfying for the Valley leaders including NC and PDP (even Congress leaders of Valley ). 


Where as even  non conclusive and half references have attracted objections from the leadership belonging to Jammu Region, Ladakh region and Kashmiri migrant Hindu. This shows that the affairs of J&K have regional orientations and Saghir Ahmed working group report too could not escape the divisive shades.


Both NC and PDP well know that neither Self Rule nor greater autonomy would be endorsed by New Delhi . But to secure some footing against the separatists  and anti 1947 Accession ideologists they have to keep  accusing  New Delhi for not being FAIR towards "THE KASHMIR". Those who call J&K a matter of political dispute of extra territorial dimensions  and hold  separatist ideologies negating the 1947 accession of J&K  had no interest in working group agenda and the report. The references on Autonomy / Self Rule / Article 370 have been totally rejected by the leaders from Jammu and Ladakh regions.


Most of the other issues that the Working Group Report has referred  to ( even beyond the scope of terms of reference ) too have only regional implications . Rather the report as it pertains to  some important issues  has gone against  all the aspirations and demands of two regions of J&K (Jammu and Ladakh regions). So it were the people from Jammu and Ladakh Regions who had some thing to react. It also appeared from the report that the local and economic issues  demanding consideration in J&K  pertained to areas that fell outside Kashmir Valley (Jammu and Ladakh Regions). 


For Kashmir Valley the Kashmiri leaders had to discuss only center state relations and nothing else. Democratic uniformity subjects like  modifying the term of JK LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY from 6  years to 5 years,


(ii) issue of REPRESENTATION/RESERVATION FOR ST,


(iii) WOMEN IN ASSEMBLY,

(iv) increasing the number of seats in the Legislative  ASSEMBLY, 


(iv)conducting regular elections to democratic bodies including Panchayats and Municipalities where ever due immediately, 


(v) return of Kashmiri migrants/ the relief / rehabilitation packages/facilitating admission of children of returning migrants in educational and training institutions in Kashmir Valley / providing  security to such families,

(vi) payment of relief to Migrants from the militancy affected areas of Jammu Region,(vii) relief/
rehabilitation / local employment  of 1947 refugees from Pakistan who mostly  settled in Jammu
region , 


(viii) implementing the  Wadhwa Committee Report, 


(ix) registration  of properties and payment of claims there of (along with compensation for the delay over 6 decades)  of  POK DPs of 1947,  


(xi)compensation to border migrants displaced as a result of conflict at international border/LOC/ Kargil , 


(xii) alleged under representation in Legislature to Jammu Region  and demand for a fresh Delimitation  by amending  29th   Constitutional Amendment , 


(xiii ) undoing the unfair treatment meted to the backward and remote area people of J&K (Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Bhaderwah, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur , Kupwara belts) who  are unfairly represented in the Legislative Assembly in defiance to  the Representation of the People Act 1957 that lays down the parameters for  fair Delimitation of Assembly Seats, 


(xvi) providing reservation in services / education by State Government  to the residents of areas adjoining international border like those near  LOC, 


(xvii) references to Gajendragadkar  and Sikri Commissions  and the like issues pertained to the people living in Jammu Region only. 


These questions have nearly got no favourable recommendations/ deliberations  in the report and have caused irritation to the people more  in the Jammu Region. So one could say that the demands that were more of socio economic nature pertained more to Jammu Region and have not found  acknowledging reference in the WG report. 


The demand for Union territory status  from Ladakh has been out rightly negated in the report. Not even recommended for some more deliberations. Report says that  the unity and integrity of the State of Jammu and Kashmir can not be compromised and the Union Territory Status for Ladakh is not recommended. 


This was also a regional demand and has not found favours even for consideration where as Autonomy has found. Why did not Saghir Ahmed suggest same approach for examining  the Ladakh Union Territory Demand , could be asked.
(*Daya Sagar is a senior  coloumnist on Jammu &Kashmir Affairs, dayasagr45@yahoo.com )

Rehabilitation of Militants-III : Return and rehabilitation of the misguided youth to National fold By Daya Sagar

A Look through the mist

Rehabilitation of Militants-III : Return and rehabilitation of the misguided youth  to National fold

By * Daya Sagar

( * Daya Sagar is a Sr coloumnist of Kashmir affairs and a social activist  dayasagr45@yahoo.com) ' 

http://www.alookthroughthemist.blogspot.com/

General Amnesty to those who wage war against a Nation  (country) is not so simple a  “gesture” as it may be seen by many. Waging  a war against a Government  by its own people could  be (category i)  a movement  to change the government in place or the system of governance  without out questioning  the  nationality of those in the government, (category ii)  or could be a movement to change the government  in place or the system of governance  by questioning the Nationality of the Government and those in the Government . Where no questions on the nationality are involved the solution could be simple. The  cases initiated against the agitators could  be withdrawn , local governance systems could be modified , localized preferential  programmes could be drawn  and those who took the law in their hands could be  taken in the mainstream. 


But where the challenges to Nationalities are thrown, the general amnesty does not simply rest in material rehabilitation. Where the terrorists / militants / insurgents  from the main lands had been involved  in activities challenging the Nationality  of the government in place , the job of general amnesty is not that simple. The insurgents  who express desires for returning to mainstream out of their having realized  the truth being otherwise  have to be tested before granting amnesty. A process has to be also simultaneously  initiated for their ideological  reconstruction. The ideological reconstruction requires hard work at the level of the government. 

The  programme drawn out by Omar Abdullah lead J&K Government  with the approval of GOI   (for accepting the Kashmir youth from across LOC who  have expressed  desires to shed arms & separatist ideologies ) falls in the category (ii). The draft of the action plan being prepared by State government for submission to GOI will have to time tested. 

Its success will depend more on 

(i) how Government of Pakistan (POK)  accepts officially the programme for the return from across the LOC / international 

(ii) how the identification of Kashmiri  youth in POK is done 

(iii) by whom and how will the certification of intentions  of repentant  youth be done 

(iv) what  programme is drawn to involve the social organizations / community leaders to undo the propaganda of the anti India elements and 

(v) the cadres of political parties , the academicians and the intelligentsia work on ground to defeat separatist ideologists ideologies  so that the inland misinformed and misguided youth too are  ideologically rehabilitated.

Kashmir like approach need be adopted in other parts of India too. In case such like demands come from other State governments also, it should be welcomed by Government of India.  Rather GOI must come out with a Department or Commission  to be installed in place for such work. The challenges of both category (i) and Category (ii) could be sensed in other  areas also. Athough majority of the suffering Indian States suffer from challenges of category (i) only. But if not taken seriously  the enemies of India  can easily turn the local socio economic resentments to  anti India (separatist) movements . The separatist movements may not appear succeeding immediately but would cost heavily on the peace and development of the people of the rural backward Indian people.

Indian State of Punjab has been the worst victim of the Separatist like movement in 1970s and 1980s. There have been instances  where the separatist drafts promoted during 1947 days  were  attempted for cultivation.  Designs did not succeed. But some  seeds and grafts are still dormant . At occasions  the leadership has attempted to agitate the Sikh sentiments. The operation blue star  and the 1984 riots  after Indira Gandhi was shot at have been used all these years by some to arouse the sentiments of Sikhs.




The memories of the Punjab terrorism have again been made live by the Sikh leaders  after GOI expressed agreement with J&K Chief Minister for granting amnesty to Kashmiri militant youth who may wish to return from POK. Demands have been made that similar approach should be adopted towards Sikh youth too. The Home Minister P. Chidambram should have immediately nodded to the suggestion but he did not. No time should be lost  by GOI for extending similar offer to Sikh youth aswell . Any delay will  provide more opportunities to the politicians for exploiting the innocent.

It was on 18th February that the  Punjab Chief Minster Parkash Singh Badal had said that  Government of India  must have one national policy on one issue . Badal  welcomed the Kashmir initiative as positive and demanded  that the same be widened to include other similar cases like that of  the Sikh youth. Union Home Minister  P. Chidambaram had earlier  had ruled out the possibility of allowing the affected Sikh youth to return to the country in the same manner as the Kashmiri youth would be. 

The Punjab Chief Minister  also disclosed that state  government had prepared a list of wanted Sikh Youth settled  abroad   and had  many a times asked the Union Government to review the lists  for amnesty.  As per Mr. Badal  the Sikh youth who  had to leave the country under some kind of duress, repression or implication in false cases should also be considered for a similar opportunity ( amnesty ). The observation made  by Parkash  Singh Badal has laid serious accusation on the government of State and Union for having falsely implicated the youth in anti India activities. The way Badal has accused the Government for false implication of some youth would rather add to more doubts in the mind of Sikh youth about the Intentions of Union of India.  


Mr. Badal should immediately make public  list of such falsely implicated youth and those Sikh youth who want to return to Indian main stream shedding the demands like that of Khalistan. Similarly SAD President / Dy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that is a large number of Sikh youth who had nothing to do with militancy but who had to flee the state because of police repression prevalent in the state at that time and many Sikh youths had taken  political asylum in foreign countries including Pakistan in 1970s and 1080s. Any how one may ask that why did Sukhbir Singh Badal or Prakash Singh Badal raise this issue only after Omar Abdullah made some suggestions on February 7? .

Mr. Badal  did refer the demand of his party during his meeting with the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram while he was at Amritsar on February 20. Earlier on Februaray13 Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh too emphasized that the list of black listed Sikhs should be reviewed ( as per Mr. Singh there are nearly 200 innocent Sikhs who have been branded as black-listed merely for expressing the truth before visiting Indian leaders in foreign countries and now they want to return to main stream ). The Jathedar  has advised such  individuals for sending their representations  mentioning  the issues, resentments and problems to the Akal Takht . SGPC must prioritize this issue and provide the documents to Punjab Government. Since the suggestion has come from the  highest temporal seat of Sikhs both center and state should address to the issue with commitment. Amrinder Singh Ex Punjab CM has accused  that GOI is extending rehabilitation offer to those who are still  engaged in militancy  in J&K where it has shown reluctance for extending such offer to those  ex Sikh insurgents who have since  shunned arms long back (a list of 50 odd  youth from Canada duly cleared by the  High Commission was  carried  back home  when he was CM and he had taken up with Ministry of external affairs ). 

SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar  too has said that 100 such Sikhs had approached Akal Takht who had been  denied the chance to visit their home although  they have no criminal cases against them. As per Makkar the  entire community  ( Sikh) was angry about Operation Bluestar and many of them  had held public protests ( Why should such reactions  be held a charge against them , he has asked ).Punjab remained militancy  affected for over 15 years . Many Sikhs were put on an ‘adverse list’ (‘black list’) . No doubt some Indian Kashmiri and some Indian Sikh youth  had taken to militant ideology for waging war against India had taken asylum abroad . 

And now when some of them have realized their folly (as claimed by Omar Abdullah and Badals) and want to return to their home , there lies no logic in being selective for extending amnesty to only Kashmiri youth, and not to the Sikh youth. BJP  Amritsar MP  Navjot Sidhu has named it a   discrimination with the people on the basis of their  state  and religion. So no opportunity should be given to any one to allege that Government of India is adopting discriminatory attitude against Sikhs.  No doubt there has to be a serious, workable and reformist action plan for careful identification of the beneficiaries of the general amnesty. Union government  must not waste more  time in taking decision in this regard. No doubt law has to take its own course . Those who were involved in heinous acts of crime, could also  be tried in the court of law and the rest should be given soft  home coming. ( * Daya Sagar is a Sr coloumnist of Kashmir affairs and a social activist  dayasagr45@yahoo.com)