#Statehood for Ladakh

[prabodhjamwal]

In Defence Of Ladakh’s Movement For Constitutional Safeguards: A Balance Sheet Of Apprehensions And The Logic Of Demand

“Extinction of cultural identities through different means like displacement, and no safeguards in their preservation, particularly language, are not merely distant future realities. Such unfortunate realities have always found their place in the history of India. According to Ganesh Narayan Devy, a literary critic, India may have lost 220 languages since 1961 – a staggering and unfortunate state…

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#Article 35A #Article 370 #Article 370 Abrogation #Article 371 #Constitution of India #Constitutional Safeguards #Environmental concerns #Fifth Schedule #Fragile Ecology #Indian Constitution #Jammu and Kashmir #Kargil #Kargil Democratic Alliance #KDA #LAB #Ladakh #Ladakhis #LAHDC #Leh Apex Body #Political Empowerment of Ladakh #Protection of Tribals #receding glaciers #Sajjad Kargili #Sixth Schedule #Sonam Wangchuk #Statehood for Ladakh #Tribal Culture

[khlur]

full text:

Activist calls for border march in Ladakh to mark land lost to China

The march would be taken out in the north and south banks of Pangong Tso lake, Demchok, Chushul among others along the Line of Actual Control with China; two dates are shortlisted �� March 27 and April 7

Around 10,000 people from Ladakh will march to the border along China this month to showcase how much land has been lost to the neighbouring country, climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk said on Tuesday.

Mr. Wangchuk has been protesting in open in sub-zero temperature in Leh, surviving only on salt and water for the past 14 days, to demand constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.

“We know from the shepherds that they are not allowed [anymore] to go to the places that they always used to go. In particular areas, they are stopped kilometres before where they used to go earlier. We will go and show whether land has been lost or not,” Mr. Wangchuk said.

The march would be taken out in Finger area (north and south bank of Pangong Tso), Demchok, Chushul among others along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

He said two dates have been shortlisted for the march — March 27 and April 7.

“The march will also highlight the areas, prime pasture lands, that are being turned into solar parks. On one hand, nomads are losing their land to corporates who are coming to set up their plants, maybe mining in future. Nomads will lose 150,000 sq km of prime pasture land, on the other hand they are losing pasture land to China which is encroaching from the north, the Chinese have captured huge chunks of land in the last few years,” he said.

After the June 15, 2020 incident in Galwan where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in violent clashes with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, several rounds of talks between the two armies have taken place leading to disengagement and creation of buffer zones or no-go areas. These areas in eastern Ladakh were regularly patrolled before April 2020 when China started amassing troops close to the LAC. At least 26 patrolling points out of total 65 PPs in Eastern Ladakh are not being patrolled due to the border dispute.

At the centre of Mr. Wangchuk’s protest that has received huge support from the locals is the failure of talks between Ladakh civil society leaders and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 4.

The members of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) representing the Buddhist majority and Shia Muslim dominated regions respectively in Ladakh, are jointly protesting for Statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule of the constitution thus giving it a tribal status, job reservation for locals and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil.

Though ministry officials had in previous rounds of meetings agreed to examine how the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution can be implemented in Ladakh’s context, the meeting with Mr. Shah “did not result in any positive outcome”.

“Government has been declining to keep their promise on Sixth Schedule. The Home Minister said we cannot give this but we will give you some constitutional safeguard,” Mr. Wangchuk said adding that he wants to awaken the people of India to this “breach of trust”.

“People are disillusioned, disenchanted and angry. There is no chance BJP will win a seat here in the upcoming elections. But this is not only for Ladakh, am trying to awaken the nation, if this is how election promises are honoured, then elections are a joke. Why did we vote this party to power twice?” he said. Ladakh’s only parliamentary seat was won by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 and 2019.

After the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution was revoked by the Parliament on August 5, 2019, Ladakh was turned into a Union Territory without any legislative assembly.

#ladakh #climate #borderlands

[rajafatema]

The Ladakh Protest: The 21-day Hunger Strike led by Sonam Wangchuk 

Ladakh, famously known as “Mars on Earth”, is the perfect destination where the mind slows down and the soul finds its path.

It is the northeastern Union territory of India, known for its highest mountain ranges, mesmerizing landscapes, beautiful deep valleys, crystal clear blue lakes, diverse wildlife, highest motorable mountain roads, Buddhist heritage, and the overall picturesque beauty of the place.

Ladakh: A union territory without legislature

Ladakh, which was a part of Jammu and Kashmir since 1847, was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019 and was reconstituted as a Union territory on October 31, 2019.

People of Ladakh have constantly demanded separate territory since the 1930s due to the unfair treatment of Kashmir and the prevailing cultural differences between people of Kashmir and Ladakh.

The formation of Ladakh as a separate Union territory was widely celebrated. Still, people were disappointed because it was made a UT without a legislative assembly and would have a lieutenant governor, while Jammu and Kashmir had a legislature.

What does it mean to have no legislature in Ladakh?

Unlike J&K, Ladakh cannot elect its own representative.

Ladakh will be ruled directly by the central government through a lieutenant governor as an administrator.

The President of India has the power to form rules and regulations for Ladakh, according to Article 240.

Sonam Wangchuk following his Father’s footsteps

Sonam Wangyal was born in 1925 in a small village in the Leh district of Ladakh. He worked his entire life for the rights of the people of Ladakh. He had strong secular beliefs.

He was appointed as the MLC of Jammu and Kashmir from 1957–1967 and as the MLA from 1967–1972, due to his selfless service toward the people of Ladakh.

Wangyal was also an active member in the campaign for ST status for Ladakhis, which was carried out between 1982 and 1984. 

In 1984, on his five-day hunger strike, the former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, visited Leh and requested Wangyal to withdraw from the strike with the promise of granting the status of ST to the people of Ladakh.

Following his father’s strong morals and values and showcasing his devotion to the land and people of Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk, a nature activist, engineer, innovator, and educationalist, began a “climate fast for 21 days” on March 6, 2024.

Why are they protesting?

The primary goal behind the protest is to raise awareness about the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh endangered by the growing industrial and developmental projects approved in New Delhi without consent, a threat posed as a result of having no legislative assembly in the Union territory of Ladakh.

The residents of Ladakh have two key demands:

Full-fledged statehood for Ladakh: the residents have demanded to elevate Ladakh’s status as a Union territory to a full-fledged state. This would enable Ladakh to have its own government and the right to form its own rules and regulations in favor of the land and people of the territory.

Integration of Ladakh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution: The 6th Schedule aims to protect areas with tribal and indigenous populations. By including Ladakh in the 6th schedule, it would allow the state to establish autonomous districts and regional councils.

These elected bodies will have the power to administer and protect the tribal regions of the area. It would give the Ladakhis more control over water management, land use, and cultural preservation.

What is the government’s response to the ongoing protest?

Unlike the response and action taken upon the hunger strike carried out by Wangchuk’s father, the present-day government is MIA. 

The current government seems unbothered by the demands and protests in Ladakh, just the way it is, and the deteriorating situation in Manipur. 

The pioneers of the movement and every other active citizen in and out of Ladakh are furious about the inaction of the government and the PM, who knowingly promised in his 2019 manifesto of Lok Sabha, that Ladakh will be incorporated into the 6th schedule of the constitution. But apparently, they failed to honor their promises.

Lack of media coverage:

The lack of media coverage is infuriating for the people of Ladakh and the active citizens of India.

Although the independent media and journalists who are physically present in the ongoing protests do cover the news for the country, But it is disappointing to witness the lack of coverage by mainstream media and the big houses.

The scarcity of coverage of this major issue conceals the truth from the nation. The nation wants to know more about the concerns and affairs of the territory. Unless there is some news from the local media houses, the lack of coverage by the recognized media houses keeps the common man from knowing what is really happening there.

The current news on the Ladakh protest:

According to the current news,

Wangchuk survived solely on water and salt during the 21-day hunger strike (inspired by Gandhiji), which lasted from March 6th to March 26th.

In his speech, he talked about the “21-day fast"—that 21 days was the longest fast that Gandhiji kept during the independence movement.

Wangchuk states that the 21-day fast is over, but the protest will still continue. They will only rest when the government agrees to fulfill their demands.

Wangchuk said, “After me, women will begin a 10-day fast tomorrow. This will be followed by youth and Buddhist monks. Then it could be women, or I could come back. This cycle will go on.”

After ending his 21-day fast, Wangchuk stated “We will continue our struggle (in support of our demands). The gathering of 10,000 people at the venue and the participation of over 60,000 others over the past 20 days is a testimony of the people's aspirations.” 

Conclusion:

All things considered, Ladakh, the "Land of High Passes," stands at a crossroads. While the echoes of their protests might fade from national headlines, the Ladakhi people's yearning for a brighter future persists. Whether they find resolution in the sixth schedule status or the full-throated roar of statehood, one thing is certain: Ladakh's story is far from over.

#ladakh #india #saveourplanet #sonam wangchuk

[thegoldenstar]

Everyone in Ladakh knows China has taken away our land: Rahul Gandhi

On Sunday last, Gandhi had claimed that Modi's statement that not an inch of the land in Ladakh has been taken over by China is not true.

KARGIL: Raking up the border issue, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said every individual in Ladakh knows that China has “taken away our land” and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion that not an inch of land was taken away was “absolutely false.”

The former Congress president’s remarks come after Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a conversation on Wednesday on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Johannesburg.

The conversation was not a structured bilateral meeting and was an informal one.

“I visited the whole of Ladakh on my motorcycle over the past week. Ladakh is a strategic place and when I was at Pangong lake, one thing was clear that China had taken over thousands of kilometers of Indian land. Unfortunately, the prime minister during an opposition meeting makes a statement that not an inch of our land was taken away which is ‘absolutely false’,” he said addressing a public meeting here on the last day of his nine-day tour of Ladakh.

“Every individual of Ladakh knows that China has taken away our land and the prime minister is not speaking the truth,” he alleged.

This is the second time during his Ladakh tour that the Congress leader has raked up the border issue with China.

On Sunday last, Gandhi had claimed that Modi’s statement that not an inch of the land in Ladakh has been taken over by China is not true.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Thursday said Modi conveyed to Xi India’s concerns on the “unresolved” issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, underlining that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas was essential for normalisation of India-China ties.

The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the eastern Ladakh border row that began in May, 2020.

The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

During the public meeting, Gandhi also extending support to Leh-based Apex body and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which are fighting for full statehood and safeguards under sixth schedule of the Constitution, and said his party would not allow the BJP to hand over the resource-rich land of the union territory to its corporate friend.

The former Congress president said he was briefed by the people about their demand for political representation, safeguards for land, culture and language, unemployment, non-functional Kargil airport and the problem of cell phone coverage.

“I heard you and want to convey that the Congress is standing with you in your struggle, whether linked to the demand for safeguards or employment issues. All the people know that Ladakh is rich in natural resources. The 21st century is of solar energy and Ladakh has no dearth of it,” he said.

“The BJP knows and understands that if you will be given (political) representation, they cannot snatch your land,” he said and alleged that the “BJP wants to take your land for (industrialist Gautam) Adani and we will not allow this to happen”.

The two powerful bodies are jointly campaigning to press for their four-point demands, including full statehood, safeguards under sixth schedule of the Constitution, creation of two separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil districts, recruitment and job reservation for the youth of Ladakh.

Both the Apex body and KDA, which is a separate amalgam of socio-religious, political and youth organisations of Leh and Kargil districts, were formed after the Centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into Union territories of J-K and Ladakh.

The BJP Ladakh unit was also part of the Apex body but later distanced itself after it raised the demand for full statehood.

In an apparent reference to Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio broadcast, Gandhi said, “Some are speaking what is in their heart but I came here to know what is in your heart. One thing is clear that the ideology of Gandhi and Congress exists in the blood and DNA of the people of Ladakh.”

He said migrant labourers from different parts of the country, including Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, told him that they feel that Ladakh is their second home as locals are lending a helping hand whenever they come forward to seek their support.

Referring to his Bharat Jodo Yatra from September 7, 2022 to January 30, 2023, he said the only goal of the foot march was to stand up against the “hatred and violence being spread by BJP and RSS” in the country and spread the message of love and brotherhood.

“The yatra was not supposed to end in Srinagar but in Ladakh. The administration did not allow us to continue the march due to harsh winter and we accepted it. My visit is in continuation of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. I visited every nook and corner of the region on the motorcycle and heard the people,” he said.

He also thanked the people of Kargil for always standing with the country during crisis and war, and said, “All the people in the country, irrespective of their religion, language and culture are equal for us and we all want to live together with love and respect.”

Gandhi described Ladakh as the most beautiful region of the country and assured the people that he will raise both their local and central issues during the next Parliament session.

After his over 15-minute long address, Gandhi walked past the security cover to interact with the gathering amid chants of ‘Jodo Jodo Bharat Jodo’.

Besides the working president of Ladakh Congress Asgar Ali Karbalai, National Conference leader and co-chairman of KDA Qamar Ali Akhnoon, AICC in-charge of J-K and Ladakh Rajni Patel were present at the public rally.

#Ladakh #Rahul Gandhi

[ezivoteofficial]

Sonam Wangchuk's Stand: The Ladakh Hunger Strike Story

Climate activist, engineer, and innovator Sonam Wangchuk ended his 21-day hunger strike on March 26, 2024. The character of ‘Phunsukh Wangdu’ from the Bollywood film ‘3 Idiots’ was inspired by him. Read on to find out the reasons for the protest and what’s after the end of Wangchuk’s hunger strike.

The reason behind the protest

Amid the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh( August 2019). The residents of Ladakh have been demanding complete statehood and its inclusion in the 6th schedule of the constitution. Under the sixth schedule, the tribal areas are to be administered as autonomous regions and the Governor of the state is empowered to determine the areas as autonomous regions. This is one of the key reasons behind the protest. Other reasons include climatic and environmental challenges affecting the sustainability of the region.

"Today our planet is going through huge challenges, environmental challenges, global warming, climate change and nowhere else this challenge can be seen more than in the Himalayas, than in the Tibetan plateau,” Sonam Wangchuk said at the beginning of his 21-day hunger strike.

“It was the end of the 1st leg of my fast. Btw 21 days was the longest fast Gandhiji kept. From tomorrow women's groups of Ladakh will take it forward with a 10-day fast, then the youth, then the monks from monasteries... then me again, and so on. The journey has only started. But we still hope we won't have to do all this. Sooner rather than later a sense of responsible leadership will arise in Narendra Modi ji and Amit Shah ji” says Wangchuk’s latest X (Twitter) post.

Know more ezivote

[khalnayaksstuff]

Unveiling the Pashmina March: Sonam Wangchuk's Quest for Ladakh's Future

In the picturesque landscapes of Ladakh, a silent storm brews as education reformist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk prepares for his groundbreaking "Pashmina March" set for April 7th. This march isn't just a walk; it's a resounding call for justice, echoing the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi's historic Dandi March.

Wangchuk's journey began with a 21-day fast in March, demanding Ladakh's statehood and inclusion of its tribal population in the sixth schedule. Despite the peaceful nature of his protest, the local administration's imposition of Section 144 raises concerns about the suppression of voices advocating for Ladakh's rights.

The Pashmina March isn't merely symbolic; it's a tangible display of Ladakh's ecological fragility and the encroachment of Indian corporates and China on its pristine lands. With Indian corporates gobbling up vast swathes of pasture land and China annexing thousands of square kilometers, Ladakh faces an existential threat.

However, amid the looming shadows of restrictions and concerns, there's a beacon of hope. Wangchuk's "Jail Bharo" movement signifies a collective resolve to fill the jails with voices demanding justice. Yet, amidst the urgency, there's a plea for dialogue. Wangchuk's transition from engineer to activist underscores the gravity of Ladakh's plight, urging the Indian government to engage in meaningful discussions to avert potential exploitation by China.

As the countdown to the Pashmina March begins, the world watches with bated breath. Will Ladakh's voice be heard, or will it be drowned in the echoes of silence? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Sonam Wangchuk's march isn't just a walk; it's a stride towards Ladakh's future, beckoning the youth to stand up and be counted.

#PashminaMarch #LadakhVoices #Ladakh #SonamWangchuk #Section144 #ClimateActivism #SaveLadakh #JailBharo #India #Bharat #Trending #Climate #taylor swift

[bollytollykolly]

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike over statehood for Ladakh - Moneycontrol

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm1vbmV5Y29udHJvbC5jb20vbmV3cy9pbmRpYS9zb25hbS13YW5nY2h1ay1lbmRzLWh1bmdlci1zdHJpa2Utb3Zlci1zdGF0ZWhvb2QtZm9yLWxhZGFraC0xMjUyNjAxMS5odG1s0gF1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubW9uZXljb250cm9sLmNvbS9uZXdzL2luZGlhL3NvbmFtLXdhbmdjaHVrLWVuZHMtaHVuZ2VyLXN0cmlrZS1vdmVyLXN0YXRlaG9vZC1mb3ItbGFkYWtoLTEyNTI2MDExLmh0bWwvYW1w?oc=5&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[williamchasterson]

Indian region protests in freezing cold for statehood

The people of Ladakh, India’s northern-most region, are demanding their own government and state. from BBC News https://ift.tt/VOl9BYt via IFTTT

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#BBC News #IFTTT

[buttercuparry]

Validity of J&K Reorganisation Bill

The order noted that it did not find it necessary to look into the validity of the legislation that divided the erstwhile state into J&K and Ladakh. 

“The Solicitor General stated that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored (except for the carving out of the Union Territory of Ladakh). In view of the statement we do not find it necessary to determine whether the reorganisation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir is permissible under Article 3"

You do not find it necessary to determine if it is okay to divide a land in two Union territories? :))

BITCH YOU ARE THE APEX COURT OF INDIA WTF DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T FIND IT NECESSARY TO DO YOUR JOB?!

[thedailyexcelsior]

KDA, Apex Body Leh Say Ready To Hold Talks With Govt Of India

Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance today said they are  ready to hold talks  with Government of India on the issue of statehood to Ladakh and granting 6th Schedule. They also support Sonam Wangchuk’s fast in support of 6th schedule.

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[jkfirstnews123]

#JKFN #JammuAndKashmir #PDP

Jammu, Feb 19 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday appealed to the people of Jammu to unite and fight for their rights without being misled by any slogan.

She said the BJP has promised to install a Dogra chief minister if voted to power in Jammu and Kashmir, but where are the Dogras.

"We, Kashmiris, have apprehensions about demographic change, but the demography of Jammu has already changed," she told her party workers at the PDP office here.

"They (BJP) are directly ruling Jammu and Kashmir for many years and when they had an opportunity to install a Dogra LG (lieutenant governor), they did not. They are bringing people from outside," she said.

She alleged that the BJP is using Jammu and Kashmir "as a laboratory" for its policies that will subsequently be implemented in the rest of the country.

"I want to tell the people of Jammu to wake up from the dream of some rashtra. The reality is that it wants to turn the country into 'BJP Rashtra' where even Hindus who will not vote for it will face worse conditions than Muslims," Mehbooba said.

"If you have to save Jammu and Kashmir and the country, you have to stand up and fight for your rights without getting misled by any slogan,” she told her party workers in Jammu.

The former chief minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir should take a lesson from the developments in Ladakh where the people of Kargil and Leh have joined hands in support of their demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards.

Mehbooba alleged that the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Jammu and Kashmir was selective and aimed at pleasing a particular community.

#jammu and kashmir #jk

[rnewspost]

Why India’s Ladakh region is now fighting for full statehood | Protests News

On August 5, 2019, when Ladakh was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir and turned into a federally governed territory, the streets in its main city – the Buddhist-majority Leh – erupted in jubilation. Nearly 300,000 residents in the Himalayan desert – situated 5,730 metres (18,800 feet) above sea level – had hoped the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) move would safeguard their lands…

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[hostor-infotech]

Why India’s Ladakh region is now fighting for full statehood | Protests News

On August 5, 2019, when Ladakh was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir and turned into a federally governed territory, the streets in its main city – the Buddhist-majority Leh – erupted in jubilation. Nearly 300,000 residents in the Himalayan desert – situated 5,730 metres (18,800 feet) above sea level – had hoped the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) move would safeguard their lands…

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[spitonews]

Why India’s Ladakh region is now fighting for full statehood | Protests News

On August 5, 2019, when Ladakh was separated from Indian-administered Kashmir and turned into a federally governed territory, the streets in its main city – the Buddhist-majority Leh – erupted in jubilation. Nearly 300,000 residents in the Himalayan desert – situated 5,730 metres (18,800 feet) above sea level – had hoped the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) move would safeguard their lands…

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[sanskritiias]

क्या लद्दाख को मिलेगा पूर्ण राज्य का दर्जा | Will Ladakh get full statehood अनुच्छेद 370 (Article 370) को निरस्त करने के बाद अगस्त 2019 में एक अलग केंद्र शासित प्रदेश के रूप में बनाए गए क्षेत्र के लिए संविधान की छठी अनुसूची के तहत राज्य का दर्जा और मान्यता की मांग को लेकर लेह में विरोध मार्च निकाला गया... https://youtu.be/0vOXF4Wl3ag https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSOdMivZ0w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[newscraving]

Restore full statehood to J&K and announce Assembly election: NC

The Newscraving Desk: Srinagar, Nov 5: The National Conference on Monday sought restoration of full statehood to J&K and announcement of Assembly election dates at an earliest. The NC unanimously re-elected Dr. Farooq Abdullah as the party president again in a delegate session held at the Qaid Mazar, Naseem Bagh, Hazratbal, Srinagar.  " Dr. Farooq Abdullah has been re-elected as the Party President in today's delegate session at Dargah Hazratbal. Party delegates from the three provinces of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh unanimously nominated only one name - Dr Farooq Sb to continue as Party President. His nomination was attested to by the Party Provincial Presidents Nasir Aslam Wani, Rattan Lal Gupta and Haji Qamar Ali Akhoon," the party said.  On the occasion the party delegates unanimously passed the political, economic resolution. A resolution on freedom of press was also passed. Political Resolution   Jammu & Kashmir National Conference has and will always strive to protect the rights and dignity of people of J&K. In spite of the large scale yearlong incarcerations of party rank and file following the rescinding of Articles 370 and 35 A, and the subsequent downgrading of J&K from one of the powerful states in the country to two Union territories on Aug 05 2019, party leadership is at the forefront fighting to get back what was illegally snatched from us.  It is now the third year since Articles 370, 35 A were illegally and unconstitutionally abrogated amidst promises of improved economic and security scenario, J&K has only seen worsening on both these fronts. Economic and security scenario continues to deteriorate, engulfing more and more people.  While JKNC is fighting a legal battle in the Hon’ble Supreme Court against the Aug 05 2019 decisions, people of J&K have, and are being disempowered in the largest democracy of the World. From June 2018 till date, J&K is reeling under the second longest spell of Governor’s rule.  Here is an erstwhile state where people are being denied to have their own government who listens to them, understands their concerns and acts accordingly. For people there is little to no access to the LG or his advisors. The basic essence of representation and accountability has long been rescinded in this part of the world where bureaucracy rules. In the All-Party meeting convened in 2021, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to restoring J&K’s statehood. Then much to our disagreement and protests, GoI started the delimitation process which finally culminated with the release of updated voter lists for the newly redrawn 90 assembly segments of J&K. It was promised by the country's Home Minister that the much awaited assembly elections will be held after the delimitation process is over. Now that the process is complete and the final updated voter list is out, still there is no announcement for Assembly elections. Considering the political situation in J&K, this delegate session resolves: 1.   Articles 370, 35 A be restored to their original, undiluted form. 2.   Restore full statehood to J&K and announce Assembly Election dates at an earliest. 3.   We urge the people of India to rise to the occasion and ask the BJP led central government to remove injustices in J&K. 4.   In view of their great historical significance, Public holidays should be restored on the occasion of Martyr’s day and Sher e Kashmir’s birth anniversary i.e on 13 th  July and 05 December respectively. 5.   NHPC owned Power projects should be returned to J&K to address the electricity crisis.  6.   Prisoners lodged outside J&K should be brought back to Kashmir & prisoners who are not held for serious charges be released.  - JKNC is committed towards the upliftment and development of every weaker section of the society and welcome the steps taken for conferment of ST Status in favour of Paharis of Jammu and Kashmir. As assured, ST Status already conferred in favour of Gujjars and Bakarwals shall not be diluted is also a welcome step and it will bring harmony and brotherhood between the two communities. Economic Resolution The economy of the country is in a bad shape, so is the case with Jammu and Kashmir. This session of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, therefore, expresses its dissatisfaction on the overall economic scenario in J&K. This important meeting demands that the Government should take urgent measures to improve these conditions, which have left the people gasping for succour and relief. As if the disturbed conditions of law and order and political turmoil and uncertainty were not enough, people have been left to grapple with a host of problems and also to encounter an unresponsive and unsympathetic administration. The flood of unemployment is raging unabated and lakhs of young girls and boys are knocking at the doors of the Government for employment. It is a matter of concern that the ranks of these luckless youngsters are becoming larger by the day and the people at the helm are witnessing this phenomenon with a stone hearted detachment and apathy. This session of JKNC is of the opinion that this state of affairs is not only depriving the society of the rich talent of this human resource but is also putting their poor parents to hardships, both financial and emotional.  This session feels that the continued non engagement of this tremendous work force can have sinister consequences. It can disturb the balance of our society and create a volatile situation. JKNC demands that this most urgent issue should receive the attention of the authorities at the highest level and they must come up with an expeditious plan to solve this problem. Another major issue confronting the people is the unprecedented price rise. The skyrocketing prices have broken the back of the common man. It is becoming difficult for him with each passing day to make both ends meet. Bringing food grains and other cereals in the GST net recently has added fuel to the fire. Needless to mention, these items were out of the tax net till this recent decision of the Government. According to the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) monthly report of October 2022, along with an uncertain macroeconomic outlook, the year 2022 also brought to the fore the vulnerability and inter connectedness of the global food system to shocks. Russia and Ukraine being key suppliers of agricultural commodities, their conflict has choked the supply and fuelled food inflation, impacting overall food security. Heat waves and adverse climatic events in several countries have further impacted food production and restricted their supply to the world market. India’s grain availability was impacted by the untimely heat waves and deficiency of the southwest monsoon in the current year. There is one cause of concern as food inflation has contributed significantly to overall CPI inflation. During the first five months of 2022, food inflation was imported from elevating global prices of oils and fats. Since June 2022, however, domestic seasonal factors have been the major source of food inflation, mostly seen in the elevated prices of vegetables, cereals and their products.  The fruit industry in Jammu and Kashmir, which is the main source of income in the rural populace, is in doldrums. During the current year it faced a serious crisis as never before. Markets for the produce fell drastically causing huge losses to the growers. Mismanagement of transport required for the purpose was another cause of loss to the growers. Thousands of tons of fresh fruit were abandoned in the orchards because the cost involved in the process of harvesting and transportation would exceed the amount the growers would fetch on its sale. Instead of encouraging and helping the local growers, apple was imported from Iran and Turkey, further crushing the already distressed industry. It would be in the fitness of things to review the import policy in this regard. This session demands of the Government to assess the losses incurred by the distressed fruit growers and pay suitable compensation to them. The Union territory is without an elected government for the last more than four years. As such the people have no forum to take their grievances to. In these circumstances the claim of the Central Government that they strengthened democracy in the Union territory is absurd. The Panchayati Raj institutions, which they frequently make mention of, have failed to deliver. The DDC members elected by popular vote have been confined to hired hotel rooms. They are seldom permitted to visit their constituencies due to so called security reasons. This session of JKNC expresses its concern that inspite of a much inflated budget, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have to face financial crunch in their day to day life. They have to face difficulties in the fields of power supply, health care, insufficient teaching staff in educational institutions, damaged roads and by and large, poor infrastructure in every public service. A section of the bureaucracy, at the upper and lower levels, is not at all responsive to the needs of the common man and is indulging in its arrogant ways. This financial and departmental mismanagement is taking its toll. Many bills and claims are not getting cleared from the State treasuries and bureaucrats are callous to the legitimate needs and requests of the public. This session of JKNC draws the attention of the Government to the plight of the common man and demands that it must activate its machinery for the people’s welfare; and remove the bottlenecks which are coming in the ways of people getting their due from the huge investments of the Government. The session demands that the negligent officers/officials must be kept under constant scrutiny and should not be allowed to relapse into lethargy and neglect in their services to the common people. The session also expresses its deep anguish at the growing menace of corruption and corrupt practices at the various levels of administration. We demand that these culprits be given exemplary punishment and measures taken to stem the rot. In conclusion, this session of JKNC stresses upon the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to urgently attend the aforementioned and other grey areas of the economy, to ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir lead a happy, prosperous and stress free life. Press resolution The role of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference for the freedom of the press platform and free journalism in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored in any way. It was due to the unrelenting efforts and  sacrifices of Sher-e-Kashmir that the press platform was founded and safeguarded in Jammu and Kashmir. In order to ensure the freedom of the press, the Lion of Kashmir, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, suffered countless and unforgettable problems and difficulties. He also had to face incarcerations along with his companions. In 1996 the National Conference government led by Dr. Farooq Abdullah breathed new life into the freedom of the press platform by providing a free environment to the journalists and the flourishing of a truly free press.  With the passage of time, the field of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir has developed so much that a large number of young people here have started choosing journalism as their career. Journalists here have been associated with domestic and foreign institutions and have gained international fame and brought home hard-won laurels. But the way the journalism sector of Jammu and Kashmir has deteriorated over the past years is very regretful. In the current era, the free press has been totally suppressed. Journalists are being targeted from different quarters. Not only this, but since the past years, the journalism sector here is suffering from a severe economic crisis, due to which the quality and values of journalism have declined. The J&K National Conference today through this resolution in this delegate session demands that the press in Jammu and Kashmir should be provided with a free environment and should not be subjected to any undue interference in Read the full article