CENTRE FOR PEACE &PROGRESS
7B Everest House, 46C, J L Nehru Road, Kolkata 700071
Phone:2288-3249/370,EMail:[email protected]
June 19 , 2023
Mr. Narendra Damodar Modi,
Prime Minister Of India
New Delhi
Dear Modiji,
Namaskar !
We are pleased to inform you that we held a round table discussion on “Another Look At Articles 35A & 370: Statehood for & Elections in Jammu & Kashmir” among a cross section of people from J&K & other states at IIC on June 17, 2023.
We would like to bring to your attention the noteworthy views that emerged from the free discussion :
Constitutional impropriety : The participants expressed concern that the abrogation of Article 370 & Article 35A was carried out without the involvement of the people of earstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir & in the absence of their elected representatives. They described the action as Constitutional Impropriety that undermined commitments made by successive governments & the architects of accession without regard for history. They emphasized that the downgrading of the state & its division has led to marginalization& dissatisfaction among the people of J&K.
However one of the participants disagreed with the views & blamed regional parties for disregarding national interest & for having misused special status guaranteed under Articles370 & 35A.She held them responsible for the communalization of J&K & abusing Constitutional instruments, which resulted in separatism & terrorism,.
Denial Of Democratic Rights : The denial of Democratic Rights & the absence of Assembly elections were seen as disempowering factors, causing distress & deepening the existing trust deficit. The participants hoped that the Election Commission holds assembly elections soon, allowing the people of J&K to exercise their democratic rights freely & choose their representatives to restore faith in the democratic processes of the nation.
One of the participants differed again putting the onus on the mainstream regional parties & their approach, which led to the death & destruction of people & deferred democratic rights. She suggested that democratic processes in J&K will be either incomplete or meaningless until socio – economic rehabilitation including political empowerment of Kashmiri Pandits is ensured.
Security & Violence : There was near unanimity that peace continued to elude the region & violence still claimed innocent lives. This indicated lack of clear policy for sustainable peace & security.
Alienation, Fear & deficit of Trust: Economic distress, denial of audience, political disempowerment, communalization of J&K, unfulfilled commitments made in Parliament, failure to acknowledge ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits, failure to compensate the community socially, politically & economically & failure to ensure their safe return & rehabilitation, excessive use of state power to suppress the voice of the people& the absence of dialogue were identified as contributing factors to a sense of alienation, fear &a deficit of trust among the populace.
Recommendations for consideration :
- Restoration of statehood : the restoration of statehood in J&K is essential to address the concerns raised by the participants.
- Conduct early elections to Assembly : Holding elections at the earliest is crucial to regain the confidence of the people. It will be a significant step towards rebuilding democratic institutions for people – friendly governance in the region.
- Facilitating legal disposal of cases on Article 370 & Article 35A : The pending petitions related to Article 370 & Article 35A in the Supreme Court should be given early disposal, considering their wider constitutional consequences.
- Addressing Unemployment & Distressing Economy: Efforts should be made to address the issue of unemployment & revive the economy of J&K. Comprehensive measures , including skill development programs, promotional entrepreneuarship & attracting investments, should be implemented to improve the overall economic well-being of the region.
- Return & Rehabilitation of Pandits: Recognizing the urgency to address the long pending issue of the Pandits, the efforts for their return & rehabilitation should be expedited under a result oriented & sustainable policy.
- Foster Dialogue & Reconciliation : Meaningful dialogues & reconciliation initiatives should be undertaken to address the grievances & aspirations of all stakeholders in J&K.
- Focus on Sustainable Peace & Security: Efforts should be made to establish sustainable peace & security in J&K.
Honourable Prime Minister, some of us would like to meet you & brief you about all these critical issues , in-person. We request your office to grant us an appointment soon.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
O.P.Shah
Chairman
09830089535
Speakers :
- Aadil Nazir Khan
- Aarti Tikoo
- Angad Singh Khalsa
- Ashai Sheeban
- K. Mujju
- Harsh Dev Singh
- D. Khajuria
- Kapil Kak
- Mani Shankar Aiyar
- Muzaffar Shah
- Nandita Haksar
- Nizamuddin Bhat
- Tanvir Sadiq
- Tasleem Rehmani
- Waqar Bhatti
