FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo Biscoe School, Srinagar. He did not get the job back and worked then with here were some sweet provoca- Praja Parishad Movement Mohan Meakins, but could not econom- Excelsior tions received by this author to Established 1965 ically be better off for whole of his life. document certain facts regarding T Dina Nath Zutshi was killed in 1974 at Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra the Praja Parishad movement and the Kashmiri Pandit community's contribu- his residence by the assailants in myste- The Kashmir Contribution rious circumstances. tion in it. Though it is a difficult job Implementing 67:33 keeping in view the time gap between movement when a group of youngsters diplomas at a young age. A few of them We cannot afford to miss the name While we feel passionate about those the movement era and now yet it is my joined the movement and took impor- were in service of the Government of the of Tika Lal Taploo in the context of Pra- heroes, their memories and their work, proud privilege to make a serious tant assignments during the period of the day. When they joined the movement, ja Parishad movement...... but there is they also deserve to be remembered by quota for IAS officers attempt. agitation. they eventually left their Government no documental evidence to support the current generation. They worked for It also needs to be informed in this The leading figures that came out as jobs as well. A few of them were also whether he was a whole-timer or not the society and the nation in the Kash- eeping on introduction of the slew of meas- context that the Documentation depart- full-timers at that time in Kashmir val- married at a young age but that also did- during the movement. On enquiry, it was mir valley in the most hazardous envi- ures to bring Jammu and Kashmir at par with ment of BJP, J&K headquarters has also ley (who worked in the Jammu region n’t deter them from joining their cher- found that he was an underground ronment including political and social other States and Union Territories in the undertaken a serious project to gather for the movement) included: Janki Nath ished mission to which they were com- activist during that period in Kashmir apartheid. They deserve salutations K always from the activists they built with country following abrogation of Article 370 and facts about the Praja Parishad movement Dhobi, Makhanlal and a contact between the and document them. Some voluminous Harkar, Som Nath Ogra, While we feel passionate about overground activists of the their sweat and blood. We pray that they rescinding its 'special status', the Central books have also been published, Omkar Nath Kak, Brij movement and the leadership shower their blessings upon all of Government has taken one more step in this direc- released and circulated by now. This Nath Miyan, Amarnath those heroes, their memories and comprising Jagdish Abrol, us...from wherever they are...! tion by reversing the practice of 50:50 formula in process is still unabatedly going on. Vaishnavi, Niranjan Kedar Nath Sahni and Balraj Some of the names that have been their work, they also deserve to be enumerated above were on the tip of the vogue in the erstwhile State in respect of appoint- The movement led by the revered Nath Kaul, Prem Nath Madhok. leader, Pt. Prem Nath Dogra created his- Bhat, Pran Nath Miya, remembered by the current I take this opportunity to tongue of the erstwhile Central leader- ment of Indian Administrative Service officers. The tory in the erstwhile Jammu and Kash- Devkinanadan Nakhasi name some of the great ship comprising Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K.Advani, Kidar Nath Sahni, practice towards that end started by the UPA mir State that stands written in golden and Avtar Krishen Kaw. generation. They worked for the activists who worked in Kash- M.M.Joshi and Madan Lal Khurana. Government by virtue of an order during the letters. It is due to his vision, struggle These are some of the mir and belonged to that par- society and the nation in the While on their visit to the valley during and consistent efforts that we have been names that my research ticular generation of the peri- Coalition Government of Congress - National sixties and seventies of the last century, able to rewrite history in the Jammu and could gather in this od 1951-53 (as I know) who Conference rule headed by the then Chief Minister Kashmir valley in the most they would be hosted in the valley by the Kashmir State, courtesy, the 5-6 August regard. We knew many of created bands of karyakartas same class of activists therein. This Omar Abdullah thus stands annulled . In other 2019 successful parliamentary legisla- them and are fortunate to hazardous environment including (activists) during their life- tive action pertaining to Jammu and author is a witness to many such devel- words, it means that there would, now onwards be have worked with them time in the vale of Kashmir: Kashmir. The shackles of the so-called political and social apartheid. opments in the Valley and outside the direct recruitment of the IAS cadre from direct for the cause of the nation Amarnath Ganjoo, Dina Nath sub-nationalism in J&K, Muslim and the community. Valley where the top leadership of RSS Zutshi, Som Nath Suri, Moti recruitment basis to the extent of 67 per cent majoritarianism and precedence and the They were all full-timers for two to mitted so intensely. and BJP would bank upon this band of Lal Kuchroo, Pushkar Nath Karnail, through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) "second and third class treatment" with four years each. When this author was Som Nath Ogra of Sathu, Srinagar is leadership and activists of the Kashmir Moti Lal Zadoo Pushkar, D.P Kaul, various sections of society in the state an RSS Pracharak in Jammu region dur- alive and is residing somewhere in valley than any other Government and and the rest from promotion quota from KAS cadre Jialal Kaul, Harjilal Jad and Madan Lal instead of the current arrangement. stand broken and melted for all the times ing the period 1978-81, a number of Gujarat. I mentioned about Omkarnath administrative machinery inputs. to come. The credit invariably goes to important people and even commoners Kak, he lives in Talab Tillo, Jammu. He Khashu . Times change, so change the heads This administrative 'reform' was necessitated the herculean efforts of Pandit Prem in the areas such as Kishtwar, Bhader- visited my residence a number of times Out of all of them only Revered Har- and priorities but the history based upon due to the political and constitutional changes Nath Dogra and his colleagues and com- wah, Udhampur, Akhnoor, Samba and only to bless me and encourage me for ji Lal Jad and Madan Lal Khashu are facts remain unchanged. It leaves an which took place in August last year in respect of rades in arms. Kathua detailed me about their contri- what I was doing...... I have great respect alive and live at Jammu and Noida (UP) indelible mark and print on the future respectively. May God give them a long Jammu and Kashmir. Department of Personnel Praja Parishad Agitation of 1951-53 butions and work. Makhan Lal Harkara for him. Let me inform that O.N.Kak is pages of history that remembers heroes was a Jammu province based agitation (Aima) was declared persona-non-grata far senior to many of his ilk at an All and cherished life. Madan Lal Khashu who create the beautiful annals of histo- and Training (DOPT), Government of India, which supported by the Kashmiri Pandit com- in the then J&K State by the Sheikh India level in RSS/BJP. He used to be was falicitated by the Karyakartas ry by their perseverance, commitment, has taken this important decision would set aside, munity; in fact, it contributed to its suc- Abdullah regime and was indeed a hero the RSS Secretary, Jammu Division recently at Jammu. He suffered a lot dur- consistency, vision and heroic efforts. an unusual practice of 50:50 formula in the con- cess immensely. It needs to be made of the movement (at the age of 18). (Jammu Vibhag Karivah 1977-85). He ing the Emergency and thereafter. He “The more said about them the best even cerned recruitment sanctioned by UPA-2 known that there was a great contribu- All these men of material were well continued to be in that position for a went to jail as a satyagrahi in 1975 and at this stage and forever”.....! tion that the Pandits offered in this read and had acquired degrees and number of years. was dismissed by his employer Tendyl Government headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh. (Feedback: [email protected]) However, all modalities have been finalised and formal orders are shortly going to be issued .It may be recalled that the Central Government had reg- Restore mobile internet services in Jammu ularly been insisting on cadre review as timely cadre revision was concomitant to better civil serv- Harsh Dev Singh ified. tions and media houses besides these days. It is note worthing policies amply demonstrate the has never happened before. BJP ice structure which was needed more than ever Citing law and order, the others has come to a grinding that while PM Modi is propagat- authoritarian style of function- after assuming power has been ugust 5, 2019 marked helmsmen have been making halt. The business houses, banks ing social media as a potent ing of the present regime. often resorting to such authori- before in Jammu and Kashmir and now with clear the beginning of a new disproportionate use of authori- and other commercial organiza- weapon of social change, his Enforcing digital gag with- tarian moves only to demon- and laid down framework of a well defined arrange- Aera in J&K. With Art 370 ty to deprive people of essential tions in this era of digitalization colleagues in J&K are a party to out substantial provocation is an strate its authority and power. gone, the state of J&K was services. According to a have suffered immense losses the obnoxious ban imposed on infringement of the right to free- Such tactics would only aggra- ment based on 67:33 basis, the decks stand duly divided into two Union territo- cleared. UNESCO report, “citizens of worth hundreds and hundreds of internet and social media. Fur- dom of speech and expression. vate public outrage against the ries. The announcement of divi- South Asian countries experi- crores due to govt’s unwarrant- ther the highly reprobate deci- The govt can’t deny the internet government’s highhandedness. We have been observing that many depart- sion of state was immediately enced at least 97 instances of ed move. The online bookings, sion of the govt has conveyed a services to society only for the Stalling mobile internet servic- ments in Jammu and Kashmir were suffering followed by digital clampdown Internet shutdown between May reservations, online shopping, very misleading massage to the reason that it is likely to be mis- es has adversely impacted the in the form of gag order on inter- 2017 and April 2018, including used by a handful of miscreants. normal life as broadband facili- because critical decisions were not taken in time as net services. It was said that the they were under ad-hoc arrangements of bureau- 82 cases in India alone. The It would be like ordering the ty is not available everywhere. decision has been taken in pub- South Asia Press Freedom motor cars to stop plying on the Social and economic life has crats heading them or remained without the top lic interest and that the commu- Report observed that Net shut- roads for fear of accidents, or also been thrown out of gear. slots filled ostensibly due to shortage of IAS cadre nication lifeline would soon be down and deliberate slowdown closing down the banks so as to The Government should tighten restored. The people co-operat- were increasing across the prevent bank robberies from its security network rather than officers towards which attention was being regu- ed. There was no resistance. The larly drawn by DOPT but no heed was being paid world, with the subcontinent happening. The mis-informa- harassing the people for absurd, govt restored mobile internet faring the worst”. The efficacy tion and fake news could be unjustifiable reasons. by the successive State Governments which would services on 17th August for a of these curbs, however, is countered by law enforcement Most pertinent question, now, to a larger extent, stand resolved. It would be day only to be snapped within debatable. In August 2017, agenises and cyber cells consti- however, is the justification for 24 hours. The reason was tech- Haryana, Chandigarh and Pun- tuted for the purpose. Repres- the internet gag in peaceful Jam- no mincing of words that there was a wilful reluc- nical snag with an assurance that tance on the part of State Governments in allow- jab were digitally cut-off before sive measures only go to under- mu. There has absolutely been the facility would soon be and after the verdict in a rape mine the democratic quotient of no untoward incident after the ing officers from 'outside' the State beyond 50 per restored. The length of the case against Dera Sacha Sauda our constitutional architecture. abrogation of Art 370 in the cent which in other words means, that element of ‘soon’however was not defined. Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Excessive use of force and sup- region. What for are the people And people waited endlessly politics was preferred to better and quality admin- Singh. Despite the preventive pression would only prove of Jammu being punished then? without any response, positive A few hours of internet ban in istration, all under the pretext of 'special status'. measures and internet gag counterproductive. Clampdown or negative, from a highly apa- around 40 persons died in vio- and crackdown need to be used Delhi during CAA protests had Surprisingly, even most of the local officers too thetic regime. But on their lence that broke out after the sect student activities pertaining to outside world about the securi- as the last resort. the entire national capital crying were not in favour of inducting more officers into patience running out, they start- chief was convicted. filling up of forms, online stud- ty scenario in the state whose Five months have elapsed. foul. Should the govt not imag- ed questioning the govt. “Public ine the plight of the peace loving the cadre from outside the State. Now, not only The arbitrary and highly ies, had been adversely impact- economy was largely dependent The govt is non-committal over safety is the reason”. This was contemptible blanket ban on ed with huge sufferings caused upon tourism and pilgrimage. the issue which is irking the people of Jammu who have been proper exercise of the cadre review would be done divested of the communication stated by some overzealous, mobile internet services, has to general masses. Besides, the The communication block- common masses who have sus- lifeline for the last five months? but by bringing the UT of Jammu and Kashmir at more loyal than the king brand caused unimaginable losses to telecom companies had already ade by the Govt in the form of tained irreparable losses due to Would any one listen please? par with other nine Union Territories, the cadre officers of the new UT. But how various sections of society. The charged several crores of rupees internet ban and the use of brute the apparently arbitrary deci- (The writer is former Education “public safety” was related to functioning of the state includ- from lacs of subscribers as rent force against those who ques- sion of the govt. Prolonged strength too would be augmented in tune with Minister of J&K and Chairman of JKNPP) internet ban had not been spec- ing various private organiza- for using internet services for tioned its illogical and queer internet blockade of this kind requirements resulting in better management of [email protected] departments and quality administration. Local youth would stand benefitted, the ones who qualify the test by getting absorbed in their home UT. The decision to this effect should be seen in the CAA - A hope to live with dignity! light of how better administrative delivery could Danish Wazir group of people and political par- citizens. want to ask them that, is any nation brought in this Act, there is also Citizenship is vested with the ties. It has invited a violent protest The Supreme Court in Mum- obliged to ensure constitutional provision to provide Indian Citi- Union Government as mentioned be effected which could be expected only by he recent amendment in there being reasonably adequate strength of in various states including the bai-Pune Taxi Owners' Associa- guarantees to the citizens of other zenship to any foreigner including in the Seventh Schedule (List I- Citizenship Act, 1955 national capital. But in the veil of tion v. Principal Secy. Ministry of nations? Muslims. We have the example of Union List) of the Indian Consti- IAS cadre. Now that all Central guidelines auto- Tbrings a new hope of life to freedom of protest and speech and Surface Transport held that Arti- This amendment speaks of six popular Muslim singer Adnan tution. So, the State Governments matically stand extended to Jammu and Kashmir, the victims of religious persecu- expression, they are damaging the cle 14 provides for reasonable communities and they are actual- Sami, whose father, a pilot in Pak- have no right to interfere in this tion in neighbouring Islamic much desired changes for the better like the one public property and are raising classification for the purpose of ly a class of religiously persecut- istan Air Force bombed Pathankot matter. nations. It is a commendable It is a fact that India is doing under reference, were duly assured. provoking slogans like "Hindutva legislation, so there arises no ques- ed people not merely adherents of with devastating effect in 1965, attempt by Indian Government to ki kabar khudegi, AMU ki chati tion of infringement of Article 14 certain religions. The reason who was given citizenship in today what the countries of origin help the persecuted minorities to par", "Hinduon se Aazadi", etc. India. Few days ago, a Pakistani of these people ought to have e-auctioning of minor live with dignity who have been Some people with vested political Muslim women got Indian Citi- done, which is, to protect these victims in neighbouring Islamic interest are trying to damage It is a fact that India is doing today zenship in Poonch district of Jam- minorities and their way of life. It nations. national unity and integrity. Such mu & Kashmir. As per the govern- is in fact a historical step taken by mineral blocks The Citizenship Amendment people are threat to the national what the countries of origin of these ment statistics, in six years, about the Indian Government which would have been taken much ear- Act, 2019 (CAA) aims to grant cit- security of India and must be dealt 2,830 Pakistani nationals were hat was desired for long in respect of lier by the previous governments. izenship to six non-Muslim com- with strong hands. people ought to have done, which is, given Indian Citizenship. Through CAA, we have reaf- bringing in the element of more trans- munities from Pakistan, Some people are opposing this This act will be implemented to protect these minorities and their firmed the tradition of embracing parency in allotment of mineral blocks in Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who Amendment because they think in whole of the territory of India W are victims of religious persecu- people of different religions and (except tribal area of Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, has now been decided upon that exclusion of Muslims consti- way of life. It is in fact a historical step customs and have set an example tion in these Islamic nations. They Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura tutes an infringement of Article 14 in the World. in the shape of introduction of e- auctioning of min- are identified as Hindus, Sikhs, taken by the Indian Government which as included in the Sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution, which I hope that this Act will pro- ing activities thus 'open' auctioning would now Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Chris- of the Constitution and the area guarantees equality before law would have been taken much earlier by vide relief to the victims of reli- tians, who fled these nations and covered under "the inner line" cease to operate. Department of Geology and and equal protection of laws and gious persecution who fled their entered India until December 31, notified under the 'Bengal Eastern Mining thus shall be doing it in respect of 173 are already knocking on the doors the previous Governments countries for their lives and beliefs 2014. They will not be treated as Frontier Regulation,1873, as men- of Supreme Court, questioning the and will allow them to live with blocks which besides putting an end to illegal min- illegal immigrants anymore. tioned in Section 3 clause 4 of vires of amendment and one must dignity in this great nation - ing, shall also result in enhanced revenue to the The CAA has nothing to do CAA, 2019). Various State gov- wait for the opinion of apex court of the Constitution. behind the exclusion of Muslims INDIA. with Indian citizens, irrespective ernments have opposed to the Government. The revised procedure is not only in this matter. But this amendment Some people argue that this lies in the question that how a Views are personal. of their religions. doesn't deny the protection of Arti- amendment infringes the rights of Muslim will be subjected to reli- implementation of this Act in their comparatively simple and accessible through respective states, but as a matter of (The author is a student of The Law This Amendment has become cle 14 to any citizen of India as this Muslim citizens of Pakistan, gious persecution in an Islamic departmental website and portal but wide publicity fact the power for making and School, University of Jammu.) a matter of heated debate and has act has nothing to do with Indian Bangladesh and Afghanistan. I nation. Beside the changes through print and electronic media shall make it fur- led to opposition from various implementing any Act regarding [email protected] ther transparent and afford a level field to all partic- ipating in the process of e- auctioning. While notices to the extent have already been Drug addiction issued to eleven districts of the Union Territory Sir, to root out this problem.As this malaise is spreading its tentacles with each passing day, it is imperative that drug de-addiction and where mining shall now onwards be duly regulated This has reference to the editorial'Drug de-addiction and reha- Rehabilitation Centres in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir are estab- Bandipora hospital keeping in view environmental considerations, at bilitation centres''HC grants last opportunity to Govt for filing def- lished in good number to provide counselling to the drug addicts inite action plan'(DE, Jan 06,2020).Drug addIction is one of the Sir, the same time there was enough scope of e-auc- and give them proper treatment. challenges the world is fraught with.It is not uncommon to read Alongwith it,a mass movement with strong participation of the This refers to editorial " Complete work on Bandipora hospital" tioning of more blocks. However, obtaining manda- news of many youth falling prey to drugs and unfortunately dying youth and the women needs to be launched.Holding seminars, (DE 31.12.2019). The construction on this hospital began almost 6 tory clearance by the successful bidders from con- a painful death because of overdose or severe addiction leaving for debates, rallies, skits,awareness camps, etc in the educational insti- years back and till date building is yet to be made operational. It their parents a life full of sorrow and grief. Moreover, there are tutions, hospitals, community halls, public places etc. can also help would have been better if the hospital construction was taken up at cerned departments and competent authority reports of drug peddlers being arrested almost daily in the newspa- a lot in checking this menace.It is also wise to invite the some elevated place around DC office road. The existing site is a pers.Though the drug addicts can be treated like any other disease should not be time consuming as that would defeat people/celebrities who gave up taking drugs and who have started by the process of deaddiction which involves many measures, very congested market of Bandipora ? the purpose of streamlining the mining procedure in leading a normal life to such programmes to serve as an example to few people go the deaddiction centres due to lack of awareness or The place where the hospital is constructed also happens to be a clear, open and permitted ways. A time frame right for fear of social stigma attached with drug addiction.Thus, this the drug addicts that they can deaddict themselves and lead a nor- wetland and part of Wullar lake. The water-body has already been from declaring of successful bidders to obtaining of malaise keeps on assuming alarming proportions in the society.The mal life.Films showing harmful effects of drugs and the ways to earth-filled there around hospital and lot of municipal solid waste is avoid these drugs should be screened at Block and District level. also dumped in Wullar lake near Nussu Zalwan village few kms mining lease should be fixed. Shortage of sand and fact that 'In the affidavit filed on behalf of the Health and Medical Education Department on 26th September, 2019 , it is stated that Moreover, more and more youth should be involved in games ahead. If not the new hospital building at least the residential hous- gravels etc faced by the public is likely to be over about two lakh persons in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kash- and other fitness programmes such as Yoga and Meditation by pro- es and some other illegal encroachment should be removed around once mining activities presently suspended are mir need urgent professional help so far as drug deaddiction is con- viding playgrounds and Yoga and Meditation centres at block lev- the market touching Wullar wetlands so that patients coming to this el so that they keep themselves away from drugs. restarted without any compromise with environmen- cerned' speaks volume about the enormity of the problem.There- hospital are safe in future. fore,there is urgent need to create massive awareness in the youth Ashok Sharma, Shahnawaz Mir tal concerns. about the harmful effects of drug addiction and frame a definite plan Housing Colony, Udhampur Bathindi Jammu