Omkar Dattatray
The increasing divide and widening gulf between the two regions of the UT that is Kashmir and Jammu has been manifested and reflected in the voting pattern of the just concluded Assembly elections .The election results and outcomes made the ever increasing gap between the two divisions more strikingly exist and it was felt that the two regions are on the path of exclusivity and the politics exhibit deep rooted regional and religious divide as the voters in both the regions voted for different political parties. .There was not an iota of similarity in the voting patterns ,with the result the divide has further been enhanced and the difference is more glaring .If steps are not taken to fill the deep void between Jammu and Kashmir ,the day will not be far off when the union territory will disintegrate and two new UT’s one for Jammu and another for Kashmir will take birth and it may not be less than the doomsday for the Jammu and Kashmir .Thus this widening gulf and divide is a serious concern for all right thinking political leaders and people also and they want that this deepening wedge should be bridged for the harmonious and balanced development of both regions of Jammu and Kashmir .This deepening wedge and divide was few days ago manifested by the assembly poll results which amply made this unneeded divide a stark reality .There was clear cut polarization between the two regions of Kashmir and Jammu as was crystal clear in the assembly poll results .The political satraps and political leaders of both the NC-Congress as well as the BJP should not lose sight of the fact that the this divide between the two regions is against the unity and cohesion of the combined Jammu and Kashmir .So both the UT’s rulers and the opposition benches should not revel in electoral achievements only but introspect how the deepening divide can be corrected and the mistakes rectified to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir remains one single entity .Grievances and discontent among the people of Jammu region should be removed by the new government and there should be no grouse against one another region .It is the duty and responsibility of the government sworn that it should sincerely try to address all genuine issues of the people of both the regions of the UT .The discontent and dissatisfaction of the people of Jammu region should be addressed as one of the top priority of the new NC-Congress government.NC president and former chief minister of J& K Farooq Abdullah is the strong votary and advocate of unified Jammu and Kashmir .Thus has he pleaded and propounded that bridging the religious and regional divide is the first priority of the new coalition government. Thus has Farooq Abdullah pledged to bridge the divide between Jammu and Kashmir.He said the aim of the NC-Congress government would be to minimize the differences between the two regions of the union territory and build confidence among Hindus ”.We have to minimize the differences that they have created between Jammu ,and Kashmir .Our endeavor should be that the Hindus there have this confidence & that we think about them in the same manner as about Kashmir .”Andullah said .He added that we will not differentiate between the two ,So what they did not vote .It is our duty to solve their problems .The NC chief said there were many challenges before the new government .Farooq Abdullah who is the chief of NC ,said that the primary focus of the new NC-Congress government would be to bridge the divide between the Jammu ,and Kashmir while fostering confidence among Hindu community in the region .Abdullah emphasized that the urgent need to minimize the differences that have been exacerbated between the Jammu ,and Kashmir regions .”We must work towards reducing the gaps that have been created between Jammu and Kashmir regions .Our priority should be to ensure that the Hindus in Jammu have complete confidence in us and know that we will care for them just as we do for the people of Kashmir .”Abdullah stated .The NC president underscored that the new government would not differentiate based on voting patterns .”Even if they did not vote for us ,it is our duty to address their concerns and resolve their issues ,”he added ,reinforcing a commitment to inclusive governance .So far so good Farooq’s words are pious and need of the hour in Jammu and valley which is grappling with the regional and religious divide as revealed by the outcome of the election .But then Farooq is the senior politician of Jammu and Kashmir and a politician promises one thing and undertakes a complete U turn and remember Farooq is infamous for taking U turns and he is a politician and not a statesman and the difference between a statesman and politician is that a statement says and promises what he means on the ground and he will does not broke his promise ,but a politician remains busy in making and breaking promises .Therefore Farooq’s words cannot be taken at their face value .But may God, give sanity and courage to Farooq Abdulla and the new chief minister Omer so that they and their government will sincerely strive to minimize the regional and religious divide and wedge between the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir valley .But remember this regional and religious divide has been accentuated and enhanced by the election campaigning of NC-Congress in Kashmir and by BJP in Jammu region and thus the fathers of this unsavory divide and wedge between Jammu and Valley are the political parties of NC ,Congress ,BJP ,PDP and other smaller parties as well as all of them conducted the poll campaigning in Kashmir valley and Jammu region by polarizing the atmosphere and whole electioneering and it manifested and was revealed in the poll outcome .Leave it aside the new NC-Congress government should sincerely try to lessen the regional and communal divide between the two regions of the UT and in this lies the good of Jammu and Kashmir .As Omar Abdullah is poised to take the reins as the next chief minister of J&K as the head of a NC-Congress ,the biggest challenge before him would be to bridge the deep political ,regional and communal divides between the UT’s two regions -Jammu and Kashmir valley as revealed by the just concluded Assembly poll results .It is in the fitness of things to mention what has former Sadr -e-Riyasat and scion of Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh ,Dr Karan Singh who is also a senior Congress leader said on the issue of bridging the regional divides between Jammu and valley .The former MP said that the election outcome revealed sharp political divide between the two regions which will be a challenge for the new government to overcome administratively .He also stated that now the new government is about to be formed ,the next step should be to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir .The domiciliary provisions on the lines of HP ,Uttrakhand to protect the land and property of the residents of Jammu and Kashmir .I wish that the state created by my ancestors which is so beautiful should shine with peace and development .To conclude it can be stressed that there is great and urgent need to take necessary steps to minimize the political ,regional and communal divide between the two regions of the UT and the new government of NC-Congress should remove & of bridge the widening divide between Jammu and Valley and in this lies the good of our UT which will transform into a state very soon as Modi government is committed to restoration of statehood to J&K ,the sooner it is done the better.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).