JAMMU: Often a question is asked: how would Jammu survive on its own if it is to become a separate entity. It is a valid question for all the skeptics and also for those, who believe that Jammu can improve its destiny by carving out a separate geographical and ethnic identity. The skeptics have doubts over the geographical unity of the region as they pedal a theory that the shills would not reconcile to the plains. They have numerous theories to advance – the cultural, religious and sub regional dissonance. They have been expressing concern over the economic viability of such an entity if at all it came into being.
The fact of the matter is that the real issue with Jammu is that it will assert its Hindu identity. Jammu suffered from this select prism of the skeptics, politicians, business community and political and economic scholars over the decades. There is absolutely no doubt that Jammu is a Hindu majority region as of today. But is the percentage of the community in the geographical reach as much as it was few years ago? No, is the answer. There has been a steady decline in its presence on the geography, both in hills and plains.
PERISCOPE
There has been concentration of Hindus, who migrated from the Kashmir valley, and hills of erstwhile Doda district and parts of Udhampur and Reasi districts in Jammu plains. Earlier, at the time of Partition, the minorities hounded out by the Pakistani tribesmen and army , sought refuge in Jammu . A number of families also came from what is called West Pakistan . All of them were displaced people who found safety net for them in and around Jammu. They have been adopted by the natives by birth of Jammu. This demography was not natural but created by circumstances, wars and terror violence in the places from where they came down to Jammu and made it their home.
An honest look back and the continuing trend shows that a lot many non-Hindus also came down to Jammu and set up their establishments ,constructed homes and started business ventures , including the shopping malls and hotels . They made Jammu as their home , or second home out of choice . There was no compulsion except in the few cases where they were under threat because of their political affiliations and leanings . The others found better chances to flourish their business in Jammu than the trouble-hit areas of which they were original residents.
Not only that , they also encouraged and helped Rohingiyas and Bangladeshis to settle in Jammu . There is no specific number available as these outsiders have settled amidst those who have acquired colour and profile of locals . Today that is a serious problem as they have not only altered the demographic character of this place but also consolidated the forces whose interest is more in challenging peace and security of the place rather than contributing to that. This is a serious problem . It is now a Catch 22 situation for the administration as it has to grapple with pulls and pressures of various political groups .
After the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A , it was expected that there would be a course-correction . The outsiders, inimical to national security , should be driven out of this place and sent back to the countries from where they came . There is no scope of debate on this .Some of the measures contemplated on this count have been frustrated by some political groups and so-called non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
These things are hampering Jammu’s growth and undermining its original identity . The answer to this is that Jammu should assert and reassert its original identity . The people from all walks of life should put their heads together and mull what should be done . There should be a consensus-evolving strategy in which the land and the people of Jammu find their safety all the time , instead of getting flooded by those whose sole interest is to change demographic character of Jammu . This is a matter than concerns all those who love the land and the national security . Jammu’s original identity and its assertion is the only way out to snub and stall designs of elements bent upon harming Jammu’s interests.
