PROF. SK .BHALLA
Proposed August 29 Bandh Call is doing rounds the rounds in newspapers without any much interest among general public.The agenda of strike is same old story. Bar Association Jammu, President, Advocate, M.K. Bhardwaj cent percent was exercised over the problems of his fraternity like registration work, commissions, CAT, DRT, AFT within the court premises at Janipur. So these are the only major problems that we face in Jammu.
Hardly any broad based charter of demands has been read. Possibly, it is a top secret. Some say that in the coming days, things may unfold. Traders Organization as well as Chamber of Commerce & Industry have extended blind support to the so called leaders and opinion makers of Jammu. Come forth with a broad based agenda that takes care of the the genuine problems of all putting up in Jammu province.
Not a word has been read about the chronic problem of unemployment and the consequent frustration among our youth. There is not an iota of word about the bone breaking inflation. Perhaps our learned Advocates have sufficient in their kitty. Nothing has been said about the fate of the unemployed wine merchants. They may have been given some assurance in the closed room but in the print media nothing has been read.
What about the huge army of daily wagers on the roads for the last so many months? They are also the sons/daughters of the soil. They are also a part of our society. Tragically, they are the children of a lesser God. So ignore them.
The learned Advocates are least bothered about different varieties of mafias looting us day in and day out viz mining mafia, education mafia, land mafia, newspaper mafia etc. Illegal colonies are also here. The bug of corruption about which PM Mr. Modi had hinted from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th of August is not on the agenda. I am told it is the least priority as almost corruption has disappeared from the scene. How callous?
There are certain public utility offices viz Municipalities, PHE, PDD whose delivery mechanism is almost zero. Discreet silence prevails. Their services are solicited by one and all and the whole city comes to a stand still in case of their malfunctioning. Oh! this is for another bandh in the days ahead.
We are passing through a very difficult situation the making of our intellectuals and those who understand everything but have intentionally closed their eyes and ears as selfishness and not selflessness is the mantra guiding our destiny. People have not forgotten what the elderly Advocate L K Sharma did when some agitation was launched in our living memory. What our man Jatendra Singh is doing for Jammuites is also a story in itself. Please do not remind the people about the old festering wounds as we shall bleed anew. I am told some are planning dharna today but nobody will listen as the administration has felt the pulse of Jammu people. Let me quote Faiz:
बोल ये थोड़ा वक़्त बहुत है,
जिस्म ओ ज़बाँ की मौत से पहले,
बोल कि सच ज़िंदा है अब तक,
बोल जो कुछ कहना है कह ले!
Satayameva Jayate!
(The author is a retired Principal from J&K HED and Chairman Civil Vigilance Cell)