The Centre’s problems in J&K have further compounded with the secular space literary shrinking in both the regions of the state currently facing serious agitations of different hues.
Jammu & Kashmir agitations assume hardline colours
NEW DELHI: The Centre’s problems in Jammu and Kashmir have further compounded with the secular space literary shrinking in both the regions of the state currently facing serious agitations of different hues. The leaders and cadres of the mainline political parties, an essential for the success of any dialogue, such as the Congress and the National Conference, have been openly backing either the Hurriyat Conference-backed agitation in Srinagar or the BJP-sponsored upsurge in Jammu. Both have taken the shape of a mass movement.
Although during the militancy political cadres backed separatists either out of fear or affinity, the current scenario is alarming. Large sections of the National Conference led by Dr Farooq Abdullah had steadfastly stood against terrorism and sacrificed some of its cadres, but this time around majority of them are overtly or covertly backing separatist agitations.
A senior political analyst pointed out that the success of the Hurriyat-sponsored march to Muzzafarabad in the border areas of north Kashmir including Uri, was on account of the backing of local NC cadres. “Uri and adjoining areas have no Hurriyat presence. Then how does one explain this development,” he asked. On the Jammu front, it is a new phenomenon.The entire Congress rank and file and its senior leaders have publicly lent support to the Sangharsh Samiti spearheading the agitation. There is no one on the field to act as a bridge between the UPA government and the people in the region. Stray efforts made by certain sections to raise a bogey for peace by conducting marches or holding citizens’ meeting failed.
Senior NC leader and former minister Ajay Sadhotra rued that the secular space has shrunk in Jammu. He held the Congress responsible for the situation. “We are holding our ground in Jammu and had expected to form a secular front with the Congress to fight communal forces. But unfortunately, majority of the senior Congress leaders and workers are openly siding with the BJP-backed Samiti,” he said.
a_anil@dnaindia.net
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