ALL JAMMU CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM DOGRA HALL , JAMMU
Press Release on 
18.08.2019
Unique synergy consolidates voices of Jammu
In a remarkable step of consolidation, heads of various organizations, services veterans and distinguished citizens from all walks of life joined with All Jammu Civil Society Forum (AJCSF) and Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS). They amicably discussed various impacts and repercussions of the recent decisions of the central government regarding abrogation of Article 370/ 35A and also the re-structuring of the J&K State.
The unique synergized configuration of Jammu leaders jointly welcomed the recent, necessary & bold decisions of GoI of abrogation 370 & 35A. These provisions were incorporated as Article 370 and 35A in the constitution of India post accession of J&K into the union of India signed by the then ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, with a view to safeguard the peculiar identity of this state to have merged with India. However, the development in the last 73 years after Independence, have shown that these provisions have proved counterproductive and harmed the state and its people without gaining any benefits of this provisions. The details of new arrangements are not yet clearly spelled out.
References were made to the sufferings of the Jammu region of the last seven decades amidst apprehensions that in the new arrangement too Jammu region may continue on the back foot, now at the hands of those rushing into the state after abrogation of Article 370 and thus lose their recognition and identity.
As a strange development, former minister Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, president DSS and convener AJCSF was prevented from proceeding to Dogra Bhawan where he was to preside over the meeting and kept under house arrest at his residence at Greater Kailash. All members present at Dogra Bhawan strongly condemned this high handed action by the local administration. The proposed meeting was to endorse and appreciate the bold action by the GoI of abrogation of Article 370/35A. They were to peacefully deliberate on checks and measures for retaining identity of Dogras of all communities and development of this Jammu Dogra region that faced discrimination on all fronts and suffered in social and material developments and aspired to be one with the nation. They wanted to present their proposals to the J&K UT government and the GoI for consideration and necessary incorporation in future plans.
Members called the act of house arrest as “politically motivated and /or result of a sense of insecurity among some local politicians who have failed to look after the interests of the Jammu Dogra region”. However, the meeting discussed the pre-fixed agenda and made their resolutions undeterred.
1 They resolved that there have to be measures to safe guard the identity and interests as Dogras of all communities and demand provisions like Articles 371/372 with some changes that are protecting identity of Himachal Pradesh and the Eastern States. The distribution of academic seats, opportunities and jobs should be in an 80: 20 ratio favouring locals.
2 Jammu has suffered a lot politically, culturally, heritage wise and is facing identity crises. Jammu festival like event has lost its shine and heritage monuments are in shambles. The great summit meeting also resolved that no election should be held without proper delimitation and fair population/area based share of power to Jammu region.
3 The summit meet unanimously resolved to propose Statehood for Jammu and merger of POJK and granting all 24 assembly constituencies to the proposed state of Jammu with Kashmir and Ladakh as UTs. The elections to be held only after delimitation, rotation of reserved seats, SC/ST voter rights of Valmikis and West Pakistan refugees.
4 Alternatively, they further resolved that the Jammu and Kashmir to have two separate Autonomous Councils with separate secretariats in respective capitals in existing buildings to operate simultaneously round the year. All allocations of financial, educational, jobs and development opportunities be made separately.
5 Historians have done great injustice by distorting the real history of the state and ignored great deeds of the Dogras. Now again while the history of the state is being re-written it is time that national focus shifts from the lawless valley in turmoil to the nationalist population of Jammu comprising all communities that absorbed those migrated from all parts of the state living amicably.
6 There had been no planning and concerted efforts for the development of tourism, education and industrial sector, of Jammu, which has immensely suffered discrimination on all fronts, due to clubbing with disturbed, dominant Kashmir Valley. The meeting resolved to take on priorities pending issues like, Dogra Certificate, Fauji Colonies in all region of the state compensation to farmers and calamity and Pakistan firing damages, special recruitment drives/ employment packages for youth and young retired servicemen. They also demanded action against drug abuse, border bunkers and cultivation across wire fence.
7 At present all well wishers of Jammu are raising their voices from separate platforms. The need is to synergize and work on commonly agreed demands and project while retaining your own entities and affiliations, as they are. Let anyone take the lead. It is not designed against or in rivalry of existing social/ political group or party; thus all are requested to join the cause of Jammu jointly and project Jammu issues in one voice.
8 The meet also resolved to appeal to the authorities to immediately lift all the restrictions imposed on the peaceful citizens of Jammu region and release all the activist including political who have been detained during the recent days.
9 The meeting resolved to appeal to all political parties, social organizations and other activists of Jammu to work for these resolutions together in the interests of Jammu in the new arrangements and draw agreeable common voice and promote it from your own outfits.
They also urged upon the Governor administration to release Shri Charak immediately and warned the authorities for serious consequences if nationalist forces/Dogras are harassed and mishandled.
Prominent among those who addressed the meeting were Prem Sagar Gupta, Anil Suri Ex.President Bari Brahmana Industries, , Col. Vir Sahi, , Neeraj Anand Chairman Chamber of Traders Federation, Zorawar Singh Gen.Secy. Press Club Jammu & Chairman Team Jammu, T.S.Reen Ex.Chairman Federation of Industries, Rajesh Padgotra Provincial President Panthers Party, G.A.Khwaja Gen. Secy. DSS, Gambhir Dev Singh and others.
Prominent organizations that were represented in the meeting included Gen. GS Jamwal Chairman Ex Services League, Ch.Manmohan Singh Ex. Mayor Jammu & President Jaat Mahasabha, K.B.Jandial, OP Gupta Gen. Secy. Mahajan Sabha, Rameshwar Manhas President Jammu Pvt. Schools Coordination Committee, Raghbir Chander Gupta Gen.Secy. Traders Federation, Amanat Ali Shah, S Kulbir Singh, S Hakumat Singh, Kailash Langer, Rakesh Charak(Raka), Dr OP Saini, Advocate Ishant Gupta, Rajinder Mehta, Khajoor Singh Jt. Secy. JKNPP and other prominent members drawn from civil society, various political, social, religious and trade organisations.
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