The scars and wound which people of Jammu have received during the past two months long agitation over the land allotment issue to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) have not healed fully, yet the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sanghersh Samiti (SAYSS) seems bracing up for another agitation. The issue of the agitation this time is failure of government over the assurances and promises, it had made in the August last year after which SAYSS has suspended the agitation.
The issues this time are withdrawal of Public Safety Act (PSA) against Saint Dinesh Bharti who was on the forefront during the struggle for restoration of land to SASB, besides implementation of the agreement reached during the agitation between the government committee headed by former Chief Secretary S.S Bloeria and SAYSS committee. Though at the initial stage on February 13, SAYSS will hold a demo, for just tow hours, but beware, the parliamentary elections are approaching and the saffron party (BJP) which has cashed maximum, (one can say 100%), from the agitation during the Assembly elections, by winning 11 seats, will try all its might to review the agitation fully, so it could gain in the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
However, this time, some organisations like Shiv Sena Hindustan is in confrontation with the SAYSS over the Bandh and strikes. The organization suggests peaceful means of agitation instead of Jammu Bandh. On the other hand, the largest supporter of the SAYSS in the past, Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCI) has strongly opposed the strikes and Bandh like moves. “No strike or Bandh will be allowed, it will be only peaceful protest at different locations,” said CCI President, Ram Sahi. He added, “We are trying to convene a meeting with the Political Secretary of CM on the issue”.
SAYSS Convener, Leela Karan said, “This is just an awakening call to the government, to remind it about the agreement, it is just two hours protest, and if government failed to give some positive signals to implement the agreement, decision will be taken by the Core Committee of the SAYSS about the future strategy and mode of struggle”.
BJP has said that party would support the statewide protests of Samiti on February 13 demanding withdrawal of the Public Safety Act (PSA) imposed on religious preacher Dinesh Bharti.
Relevent to mention here that in the past over two months of shutdowns and curfews following protests by people of Jammu over revocation of transfer orders of the forestland to SASB by the State Government, has cost an estimated five billion rupees to the local industries here. Besides, students and those aspiring for competitive examinations have suffered badly. As till recently, we have seen the protests by the students demanding ‘Open Choice’, as their syllabus could not be covered in time due to Jammu strikes and shutdowns.
This time, if the agitation is reviewed, SAYSS has to keep in mind that Jammu has already suffered losses and should devise a strategy that demands are also met and no further economic/development loss is caused to the people of Jammu.
The government should also act sincerely and came out with the implementation of the agreement agreed upon, so the resentment of people and probable trouble in future could be avoided.