Diplomat Correspondent
Tamilnadu,DD, Resolution adopted at the 24th Congress of CPI(M) Restore Full Statehood and Democracy in Jammu & Kashmir
The unconstitutional and disastrous decisions of August 5, 2019 – nullifying Articles 370 and 35A – along with a series of arbitrary legislations and humiliating actions, have dismembered and downgraded the historic state of Jammu &
Kashmir. The snatching away of statehood and bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories has created a deep political void and intensified the sense of uncertainty and alienation among its people.
Civil liberties, human rights, and democratic freedoms continue to be eroded.
Arbitrary arrests under draconian laws like the UAPA and PSA have become a disturbing norm. Hundreds of political activists and journalists remain incarcerated inside and outside Jammu & Kashmir. Youth are being denied job
opportunities under the pretext of security verification, while passports are withheld on flimsy grounds.
Jammu and Kashmir was enjoying special rights of protection of land and jobs since Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule when non-residents of this region were not allowed to purchase land and get jobs. There are numerous provisions of this nature which give such rights to the people in certain other states as well. But these protections for land and employment for permanent residents of J&K were
arbitrarily stripped away, exacerbating insecurity among the populace.
The state’s economy continues to deteriorate, with the grand promises of development, investment, and job creation proving hollow. Daily-wage workers
face irregular payments, and key sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, and transport are in deep crisis. Apple growers, in particular are grappling with mounting challenges. There remains a lack of legal guarantees like Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Since August 2019, executive orders, such as changes to domicile laws, restrictions on media, and the intimidation of government employees, have become commonplace. Despite these oppressive measures, the recent Assembly
elections held after a gap of seven years saw a significant turnout, with people
participating in large numbers. The BJP’s attempts to polarize the state along communal and regional lines, and to manipulate the outcome using money power and proxies, failed. The people have clearly rejected the BJP-led government’s
policies and have delivered a verdict against its unconstitutional assault on J&K
on August 5, 2019, as well as the ruthless suppression that followed.
Yet, instead of respecting this democratic verdict, the BJP-led Central Government continues to undermine it. Despite commitments made by the
Government of India, both in Parliament and in the Supreme Court, regarding the restoration of statehood, the BJP and its appointed Lieutenant Governor are obstructing the functioning of the Omar Abdulla government. The recent large
number of transfers of J&K cadre officials have further fuelled anxiety and undermined the authority of the elected legislature.
Hence the 24th Party Congress demands:
Immediate granting of full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir as a step towards restoration of special status.
Protection of Land and Job rights.
Restoration of democratic, civil, and trade union rights.
Release of political detenues and journalists and ensuring freedom of the press.
End to indiscriminate arrests of youth on baseless charges.
We appeal to all secular and democratic forces to stand in defence of the legitimate and constitutional rights of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.DD
