JAMMU: Lt-Gen Syed Ata Hasnain on Thursday suggested that the solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir will ultimately emerge from Jammu.
This is for the first time a senior army officer, who is credited for bringing about a sea change in the relationship between the Kashmiris and the Indian army, has added this significant dimension to the vexed issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a maiden seminar ’27th October-A Golden Day for J&K, its significance”, which was organised by recently launched Jammu Citizens’ Forum, Gen Hasnain described Jammu as the only place where people understand and know what the reality is.
The senior army officer, who has commanded 15 Corps in Kashmir Valley, maintained that militarily no solutions will ever come about. “Ultimately solutions to my mind are always people’s solution”.
“To me nothing is more powerful than the people of the region”, he said, adding, “I will continue to emphasise on this issue that it is every institution of Jammu and it is every citizen of Jammu who has to be made to realise that he is the most important citizen in this county today because he understands this (Kashmir) problem. He is the stakeholder in this entire issue”.
” Peace in Kashmir, peace in the whole of Jammu and Kashmir means a tremendous boost to the people in Jammu itself. I always talk about the business community of Jammu. How much they can contribute. How much infrastructure they can build and support the people of the State”.
He said it is the people of Jammu who understand socially, politically and most importantly the psychology of the people. “If you understand human mind on the other side of the Pir Panjal it is only you who can experiment on how to bring people together. Otherwise Pakistan will keep disturbing peace in the region and all this will continue and go on like this.
“Kashmir has been a problem for us and, therefore, I sincerely feel with all my boots on ground experience and different spheres in the State that the solution to the problem of Jammu and Kashmir will emerge from here”.
He said, “We have to take a vow, we have to take a commitment to commit ourselves to nation building”.
He said the sacrifices made by the people of bordering states must be recognised.
Another important speaker Major General(Retd) G.D Bakshi could not make it to the event due to some health related issues.
Former Chief Secretary SS Bloeria gave a detailed description of various heroic battles fought by the Indian army after it landed in Kashmir valley to repulse the invasion. He acknowledged the valour of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and motivated the generations. Vice Chancellor of Central University Jammu Prof Ashok Aima, while responding to the observations of Prof Rekha Choudhary said, “If according to her statement Sheikh Mohd Abdullah had defended the accession of J&K to India in the United Nations what happened thereafter. Why don’t we further consolidate on that argument. That’s a huge debate”.
He referred to illegal constructions coming up during the ongoing unrest and said, “What a paradox in the Kashmir Valley; at least 300 houses were built in during these 100 days of unrest in Dal Lake area. Maximum construction has occurred in the valley in the last 25 years”. He said they had to outsource even the beggars there as there were no construction workers. “Kashmir has recorded highest meat consumption. Today we call Kashmir economy as Dukaan aur Makaan economy. There is a huge perceptive failure in addressing to the real root of problem. Central government always thought by sending truck loads of money they will keep people quite”.
“This is the biggest disservice”, Prof Aima said, adding that this is the time when we need to strengthen the instruments of governance with transparency, with the accountability argument. Ask me as a teacher today 40,000 students are studying outside.
“We need to create a space for the young generation. This is a reality Kashmir is not going to go away from India. Kashmir is integral part of India and if we are not able to leverage on that core strength which has been very well defended by our forces, I think we will have to bring convergence between different stakeholders”.
Addressing the seminar, other panelist Prof Rekha Choudhary said Jammu and Kashmir issue has both the external and internal dimensions.
“We must deal with the external dimension aggressively. Pakistan has got no legal right to intervene in our internal affairs and internally we have to take the political initiatives by which the Jammu and Kashmir remains a more harmonious State”, she added.
Former President, Bar Association of Jammu and Senior Advocate B.S Slathia while addressing the gathering in Dogri said the biggest mistake was committed by Delhi when Shiekh Mohd Abdullah was made third party.
“Maharaja Hari Singh was given raw deal and the people of Kashmir, who wanted to coexist, were sidelined and seeds of hatred were sown by the vested interests for their own benefits. He said the sacrifices made by the people of Jammu were not acknowledged and the history was distorted to suit vested interests. He said it is for this reason today that July 13 is observed as Martyrs Day but Accession Day is not regarded as a State function nor celebrated by the State Government. He stressed on the need for empowering people of Jammu because they are true nationalists and have not been heard by the successive dispensations at the helm of affairs at the Centre.
At the Seminar, Brig Sukhdev Singh presented the welcome address while vote of thanks was delivered by President of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Rakesh Gupta. Famous Singer Neelam Bhardwaj regaled the audience with melodious rendering of patriotic songs.
The organisers of the seminar lauded the Management of Jammu Club for supporting the event.
The seminar was attended by galaxy of prominent citizens of Jammu and senior civil, police and army officers. A two minutes silence was also observed in the memory of martyrs and brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The programme was anchored by Kusum Tickoo and Sunita Pandita.
Later, Raj Daluja, Chairman JK Educational Trust and Editor-in-Chief STATE TIMES presented a shawl as token of respect from Jammuites to Gen Hasnain. Gen Hasnain also presented a memento to Zorawar Singh Chairman Team Jammu.
Cartoonist Manoj Chopra presented a caricature to Gen Hasnain.
Besides others present on the occasion include MLC Rani Bloeria, Raman Samnotra, Secretary Jammu Club, K.B Jandial, former PSC Member, Kiran Wattal, ex-Jammu Municipal Commissioner, Kamal Mahindru former Add Provident Fund Commissioner, Ashok Gupta, retired IGP, Prem Gupta, retired IGP, Anil Suri, Bari Brahmana Industries Association, Arun Gupta, General Secretary CCI, Kamal Gupta, President Private Schools Association, Satish Sharma, President Teachers Association, Jammu, Narender Rohmetra, ex-Chief Engineer, Dr Yudhvir Gupta, Dr Amolak Singh, N.L Bakshi, former Administrator, Jammu Municipality, Munish Sharma, social worker, Advocate Dewakar Sharma and senior army officers.
Earlier, in the morning a motor cycle rally was taken out by the members of Team Jammu from Satwari to Balidaan Sthambh to celebrate the arrival of Indian army.
School children of JK Public School,Kunjwani along with school band presented a drill in a formation, which was highly appreciated by Gen Hasnain.
On this occasion floral tributes were paid to the martyrs. Gen Hasnain, Raj Daluja, Brig Sukh Dev Singh, Sidharth Daluja and Gautam Daluja also laid wreaths at the war memorial.
The students also sang National Anthem after taking oath in support of Indian army and nation building. Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain appreciated the efforts of school children and congratulated them. He highlighted their role in mation building.