Srinagar, Mar 24: The CPI(M) on Thursday called for the formation of the “broadest possible front” of secular forces to “isolate and defeat” the BJP, saying the priority is to save the Constitution and safeguard people’s rights.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was speaking to reporters at a press conference at party leader M Y Tarigami’s residence here after the 12th J&K State Conference of CPI(M), urged all “democratic forces” to keep their differences aside and come forward to save the country.
He also accused the BJP of using the legitimacy of election victories for the “complete destruction” of the fundamental pillars of the Constitution.
Yechury also said that CPI(M) stands with the people of J&K and will continue to work for realization of the assurances provided in the Constitution to the people of J&K.
“We have and continue to oppose the abrogation of Article 370, and our party have challenged the Re-organization Act and new land laws in the Supreme Court,” he said, while lamenting that petitions, including that of the CPI(M), challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre’s decision are not being heard in the Supreme Court.
“The time the Supreme Court is taking to hear the petitions, gives time to the government to de-facto implement the laws (in J&K). It is because of this that (changes in) land laws, delimitation, etc., are going on. We understand that till the basic question that whether it (revocation of Article 370) is constitutionally valid or not (is answered), such laws should be put on hold.
“By not doing so, you are giving a fait accompli. If the matter is heard after that and even if it (court) says it is wrong, then it will be difficult to repeal all these laws. So, we request the Supreme Court to hear the matter sooner,” he said.
He said the CPI(M) believes that Jammu and Kashmir is a part of the country, but there should be “100 percent, implementation” of the promises and assurances on the basis of which it acceded to India.
Regretting that the Indian Constitution “is being severely undermined” and the independence of the constitutional institutions like the Parliament, Judiciary, Election Commission, CBI, ED, NIA, etc., is being put under severe stress, he said in order to safeguard the Indian Constitution and secular democratic character of the Indian Republic, “it is essential to isolate and defeat the BJP. We appeal to all secular forces to close ranks in order to save India for a better future.”
Speaking on the occasion, Tarigami said that claims being made by the BJP-government on investments, development and job avenues in J&K is a “hoax and not a reality”. The economy of J&K has virtually collapsed and employment opportunities are shrinking, he said.
“Through the scrapping of constitutional rights, downgrading and bifurcating a historic state into two union territories, not only has the BJP government undermined the basic structure of the constitution but the relationship between Jammu & Kashmir and the union itself,” he said, adding that the only way to put it back on track is by immediately restoring the constitutional rights and statehood to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This unconstitutional and undemocratic decision has created a big political void and deep uncertainty in the region,” he said.
Even the people of Ladakh are feeling betrayed and now demanding statehood and protection of identity, land, jobs including constitutional safeguards. Same is the case with Jammu as well, the CPI(M) leaders said.
They appealed to the democratic forces to raise their voice for restoration of the legitimate rights of the people of J&K and Ladakh.
They said a resolution was adopted in the 12th J&K State Conference of CPI(M) held here today, which reads that the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir has gone further downhill since the BJP government revoked the constitutional autonomy under Article 370 of the region and split it into two centrally controlled territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 05, 2019.
While this “brazen assault” dismantled the Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir, “it also seriously undermined the relationship between the people of the State and Union. This authoritarian move has pushed the people further to the wall,” the resolution reads.
It says that amendments to 14 land laws including four crucial laws — The J&K Development Act, 1970; The J&K Land Revenue Act, 1996; The Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, and The J&K Land Grants Act, 1960 –have spurred insecurity among the common people in the entire region.
“The introduction of new land laws are set to have deleterious effects on the economic sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir,” the resolution says.
It also regrets that the Delimitation Commission has proposed an “arbitrary” overhauling of territorial constituencies “to favour the ruling party”.
“Even the fundamental parameters i.e. population has not been used to re-map the constituencies. CPI(M) along with other parties has already moved to the Supreme Court to challenge the Reorganization Act under which the entire delimitation process is being carried out,” the resolution says.
It said owing to the continued lockdowns and shutdowns soon after 5th August 2019, the economy of the region has been put in deep crisis. Business, tourism, handicrafts, agriculture, horticulture have been adversely affected.
According to the resolution, “despite tall claims, no substantial relief has been provided to the affected people. Claims regarding development remain confined to repeated announcements by the administration. Corruption is rampant at every level.”
It says the graph of unemployment in the region has shot up considerably, and cites the recent report of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme, which has pegged the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir at 46.3 percent, which is second highest in the country.
“The grueling wait for jobs has begun gnawing at the educated unemployed youth. The sacking of government employees, on the other hand, in an arbitrary fashion reflects the dictatorial tendencies of this administration,” the resolution says.
It also says that the apple industry, which is the backbone of the region’s economy, has been grappling with losses over the past several years. The long-drawn-out lockdowns and competition from the imported duty free apples, which are sold at dirt-cheap prices in the name of Kashmiri apples in various Mandis of the country, have incurred heavy losses to the apple growers and traders.
“The strong arm method to evict the small farmers from their Kacharaie, Banjar, Shamilat and land allotted under Roshni scheme has widened the uncertainty among the rural population,” the CPI(M) resolution says.
“The arbitrary arrests under draconian laws like UAPA, PSA, etc., continue unabated and those arrested are being detained outside the valley. Youths are particularly feeling harassed. The restrictions on peaceful political and trade union activities under different pretexts continue.
“The scribes working for different media outlets face intimidation and harassment. The media policy of the government is widely being perceived to muzzle the freedom of the press,” reads the resolution.
“The unfortunate killings of panchayat members, innocent civilians and police personnel still continue. Such incidents lay bare the normalcy and ‘Naya Kashmir’” narrative of the BJP government.”
The undivided Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed tumultuous events for decades “but the exodus of Kashmiri Pandit community from the Valley in early nineties is the saddest part of our history. The people from other communities have also suffered tragedies. These tragedies should have provided opportunities to narrow down the differences and face these unfortunate situations unitedly. However, this bad situation is being exploited for narrow electoral gains by the BJP government. Promoting ‘Kashmir Files’ film is an attempt to polarize the people further,” says the resolution.
It says that CPI(M) conference resolves to fight for the unity of the people, restoration of their legitimate constitutional rights and their well-being along with other democratic forces.
“CPI(M) is committed to work for peace, better future for our people and dignified return of the Kashmiri Pandits to their homes,” reads the resolution.
Notably, during the conference Ghulam Nabi Malilk was re-elected as CPI(M) Secretary.
