26 November To 1 December, 2019
A march (part by vehicle and part by feet) has been planned from Jammu to Srinagar from 26 November to 1 December, 2019 to demand restoration of democracy in Jammu & Kashmir. We believe that the decision taken by central government in August regarding J&K is undemocratic and if the government thinks what it has done is in the interest of J&K, then it must get it endorsed by the people of J&K. But the manner in which curbs have been imposed on fundamental rights of people of freedom of expression and others, it is analogous to giving a bitter pill to a child saying that it is in the interest of the child while not even allowing the child to cry after that. This is not how decisions are taken in any democracy. While the central government is engaged in a process of dialogue with Nagas and Bodos to resolve their political issues in accordance with their wishes, it did not consider it worth to consult even a single Kashmiri before taking a decision which will significantly impact the lives of citizens of J&K adversely. The entire state of J&K cannot be punished in the name of separatists or terrorists whose number is not more than a few hundred. Worse, even political parties, local or national, are not being allowed to function. It is ironical that the courts when allowing opposition political leaders’ entry in J&K are making it a condition that they should not indulge in political activities when Bhartiya Janata Party’s act has been a part of the political agenda of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh for a long time. Will BJP be the only party allowed to carry on with its political agenda of dividing the society on communal grounds, curbing civil liberties and disrupting peace, and activities of all other organizations be banned? Is its narrative of one nation, one constitution, one language, etc. moving towards a one party rule in the country?
We are accepting this challenge of BJP to finish democracy from this country and declaring this march with the objective of bringing back democratic norms and culture in this country. We request the individuals and organizations that stand for maintaining communal harmony, defending civil liberties and preserving peace to support us in this endeavor.
To participate in the march please contact any of the following and reach Jammu latest by 26 November, 2019 morning. Also, please help us raise resources for this march by contributing or organizing donations. We expect an expenditure of about Rs 60,000 for this endeavour with Rs 40,000 for the bus alone. If you wish to contribute, please contact us and we shall send you the required account number.
- I.D. Khajuria, J&K Forum for Peace and Territorial Integrity, 9419152093, idkhajuria@gmail.com
- Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan People’s Forum, 9419148654
- Faisal Khan, Khudai Khidmatgar, 9999746196, faisalkj2002@yahoo.co.in
- Meera Sanghamitra, National Alliance of People’s Movements, 7337478993, meeraengages@gmail.com
- Feroze Mithiborwala, Bharat Bachao Andolan, 9029277751, feroze.moses777@gmail.com
- Dr. Sunilam, Samajwadi Samagam, 9425109770, samajwadisunilam@gmail.com
- Sandeep Pandey, Socialist Party (India), 0522 2355978, ashaashram@yahoo.com
