Consensus Must Prevail in the J & K Assembly

After a decade the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been able to witness the functioning of the elected government at the helm of the affairs. The mandate has been given by the people of the conflict ridden region to overcome the pain and agony suffered over the decades old ethno-religious conflict. This opportunity cannot be lost as people have exercised immense faith in the elected candidates. Democracy is not “mobocracy”. It means to take along all shades of opinion. And Jammu and Kashmir an inclusive approach that satisfies the aspirations of all the sections and all the regions. What has been witnessed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday is unfortunate. The elected representatives must indulge in debate and dialogue to end the stalemate over the resolution introduced by the government. It must be subjected to an open debate. So that all political groups representing both Jammu and Kashmir regions are able to put forth their opinion on this issue. By indulging in the protests and manhandling sends a bad signal. As this tantamount to a street fight. Assembly is the highest temple of democracy and its sanctity has to be maintained. So that people don’t lose faith in this institution. Worst differences can be solved through consensus. And the issue before the Assembly can be solved with convergence of opinion towards inclusiveness. After decades of prolonged wait, the people are waiting and eagerly watching the performance of their elected representatives. The agenda of the people’s mandate is clear. They want peace and stability. Their thrust is on economic well-being. This cannot be allowed to be squandered at any cost. There is no doubt that the mandate given by the people has different connotations in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. As people have voted in terms of their political aspirations. But that is the beauty of democracy in India. It allows the worst dissent to be solved through a people oriented approach. If this logjam is allowed to persist then it can lead to a political crisis that cannot be afforded by Jammu and Kashmir at any cost. The patrons of terror are waiting to take advantage of the political dissonance among the political parties. So that they can engineer disruption to suit the enemies of the nation. Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the regional divide and paid a heavy price in 2008.Those scars are still fresh and people still have bad memories of that confrontation. This has to be avoided at all costs. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that has been constituted in 2024 has a historical responsibility after the neutralisation of Article 370 and 35 A to address the aspirations of all sections. As the situation has changed tremendously on the ground. Time cannot be held hostage. It will lead to an unprecedented crisis. Welfare of the people has to be of paramount importance. Development and synergy with the centre can restore the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. Youth have to be put on the track of skill oriented professions. So that their energies are utilised for the resurgence of Jammu and Kashmir. Any political logjam or political vacuum will catalyse conflict .People have already seen bloodshed. This cannot be allowed at any cost. People’s representatives must act with responsibility and stop the confrontation in the house. So that the maximum time is utilised to mitigate the problems of the people.