Festivals symbolize unity in diversity, highlights composite culture of J&K

Jammu: On the occasion of Navratras, former Minister and senior Congress leader  Raman Bhalla  today participated in the magnificent Shobha Yatra, taken out from Bage-E-Bahu  Bawe-Bali-Mata with religious fervour and gaiety amidst chanting of Bhajans and hymns in praise of Maa Vaishno Devi towards famous Mahamaya Mandir. Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that such festivals symbolize unity in diversity besides highlighting composite culture of the State. These events also provide a common platform to the people irrespective of caste, colour and creed to interact with each other and share their culture and traditions which further help in strengthening bonds of brotherhood and communal harmony. Extending greetings to the people in general and pilgrims in particular on Navratras, Bhalla said that the festival provides an opportunity to the visiting yatris to have a glimpse of our rich cultural heritage and peaceful co-existence of people of different faiths. He said that efforts must be  made by the Governor Administration to create additional infrastructural facilities at Bawe Bali Mata temple to meet the increasing rush of pilgrims effectively. Lauding the role of various local associations connected with the Navratra festival, Bhalla said that such events could not get successful without the active participation of the locals. Highlighting the fast growing popularity of the festival, Bhalla said the yearly event was started for popularizing the Holy Cave Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji as a major pilgrim destination of the State.He asked Government to make all out efforts to provide all modern line basic amenities to the visiting pilgrims from across the country. He said the devotees of Shri Mata Vasihno Devi Jee and Shiv Khori is increasing day-by-day. Thousands of devotees on Wednesday thronged ancient Mahakali Temple (Bawe Wali Mata) in this winter capital to pay obeisance to mark the celebrations of first day of nine-day long Navratras.Amidst enchanting of Jaikaras in praise of deity, devotees were seen lined up in the premises of the temple on Tuesday midnight for early Darshan of Goddess Kali. In view of this, he maintained that there is urgent need to develop facilities at famous Mahamaya Mandir, Shree Ranbireshwar Mandir, Shree Raghunath Mandir and others including the Chichi Mata Mandir to accommodate huge rush of devotees.Speaking on the sideline of function, Bhalla maintained that BJP Govt has failed on all fronts. He said the authorities are not paying any attention to the burning problems of the common man. All major sectors like manufacturing, trade, construction, education, health, information technology, transport, and accommodation and restaurant have failed to pickup under BJP rule. The BJP manifesto promised to ensure a peaceful and secure environment, where there is no place for either the perpetrators or exploiters of fear but nothing was done also in this regard also.Seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Bhalla said the Congressmen are on the roads to convey the voice of the people to the President as the “undemocratic and unconstitutional” steps taken by the Centre left them “deeply hurt”. “People are scared to open their voice for their rights. This is the situation which has been thrust on them after this beautiful state was dismantled,” he said. He lashed at Narendra Modi government for its “failures” on the issue of security of women and children besides lack of education policy and decline in job opportunities.”The BJP government has failed on all fronts including providing security to women, lack of education policy, huge decline in job opportunities and policy of oppression, repression and denial of rights.

 Bhalla said that the Modi Govt day in and day out has been thumping chests on achievements but there is hardly any positive achievement whereas entire official figures and data reveal lot of failures on most of the fronts and on issues which the BJP had promised and now came out t be only “Jumlas” but the BJP Govt. is indulging in diversionary tactics to distract from the real issues of governance and commitments of BJP.J&K  is virtually witnessing mis-governance with Government nowhere to be seen on ground”, he said, adding that if all there is any visibility of the Govt anywhere here, it is for all the wrong reasons of exploiting people and inciting them to fight each other.BJP leadership suffering from inherent contradictions and playing to galleries, as a consequence of which the people of Jammu, Kashmir find themselves pushed to the wall. He said deceptive politics and disruptive posturing of the BJP has cost J&K dearly, not only in terms of gap between the people widening but also performance of the administration taking nose dive due to lack of political direction.Bhalla blamed BJP for exploiting people by playing with their emotions on good governance drama being staged by them. He claimed that party has lost the ground miserably.  He described BJP Government in Jammu and Kashmir as an abject failure, saying it is plagued by distractions that has slowed down the process of development and left the governance in paralytic mode.“In fact, the present dispensation has lost the will to govern”, he said, adding that the slogan of development is just a façade, as the major concern of the insensitive alliance is how to remain glued to power.

 Bhalla blamed the  BJP leadership for their utter failure on all fronts, and misleading Jammu people with false loud statements, as the main motive of BJP is to divert the attention of Jammu  people  from the real issues of public interests.Bhalla alleged that BJP whom Jammu people have voted into power should not shift their responsibility, but should concentrate on fulfilment of their electoral promises made. He blamed BJP for showing no concern on  Border tension which has disturbed the daily life of many  Border residents , he demanded adequate compensation and relief should be given to the suffers .He accused Central BJP Government which has failed to address the issue of Cross Border firings which has risen since PM Modi has Formed the Govt. Bhalla in strong words condemned the Pakistan’s uncalled firings on civilians and demanded PM Modi should wake up and take a serious note on to providing  much needed peace and safety to Border area  residents.People are suffering from the lack of supply of power, Drinking water, Ration, Old age pensions, MNREGA payments, but BJP Govt is  totally neglecting masses demands and have left them at the mercy of god. He alleged that there is a total  collapse of  administration since BJP leadership are themselves confused  as media has exposed their internal bickering.

 Bhalla said, all developmental works started by previous government are stopped and seems standstill, which has affected the people of the state badly.Expressing serious concern over the worsening covid-19 situation, Bhalla strongly hit out at the Govt for the sorry state of affairs in Jammu Kashmir and lack of adequate measures in the important hospitals in Jammu during Covid pandemic.He alleged that large number of ventilators are reportedly not functioning in Jammu hospitals which is a panic situation and reflects mismanagement and mishandling of the situation. He called for immediate necessary steps on war footing to augment the facilities besides a detailed statement of facts about the crisis to assure people about the facilities to deal with emerging scenario.Also referring towards great hardships being faced by people in getting domicile certificates during the ongoing covid-19 threat, he alleged that Govt was is not worried about the safety of people and thus not conceded the genuine request of the PRC holders to be treated as domicile holder.

 On the issue of delimitation, Bhalla questioned the procedure being followed so far as only ruling party has been involved in the exercise with ground official to create road map for the delimitation. “Who has authorized them and is this the transparency?” he questioned and said that the party keeps track of the situation and would do whatever required to deal with the issue in accordance with law .Referring to the situation of Panchayats, he said that the UT administration conducted two back to village programmes disturbing the entire machinery and the people but without any follow up results and was a joke with the people. “Now third phase is ready for which an amount of Rs 10 lakhs has been announced but not a single work is carried out and it is to accommodate the ruling party workers especially in those Panchayats where no elections could be held numbering over, 13000 seats,” he said and also alleged that the Government failed to create anti corruption body provided in the 73rd amendment enforced in J&K by the previous Congress regime.Hitting out at PDP-BJP Government for making life of people miserable due to incompetent policies and administrative inexperience, former Minister said that people of State are cursing this insensitive Govt on daily basis for ignoring them completely and making them suffer for everything.

 Bhalla said this Government has nothing to showcase as its achievement. He said treachery and deceit of the BJP is haunting Jammu people who reposed their unflinching faith and support to it with the hope that Jammu may perhaps get a better deal as during the days of its wilderness in the opposition, the BJP leaders were crying hoarse over discrimination and neglect.PCC leader said that sense of alienation and deprivation being felt in Jammu Province also needs to be understood and addressed. He attributed this sense of deprivation to the exploitative and opportunistic politics of the BJP and its local leaders. He recalled the role of BJP in opposition and said that instead of seeking better way of life for them, they were misused as vote bank. “And once sitting on the driver’s seat in Government, the very existence of these people has been undermined”, he added.“The people of Jammu, Kashmir should be empowered as a matter of right and not as charity”, he said while recalling the inclusive character of the State which can legitimately take pride on its inclusiveness and glorious pluralistic ethos. He said Jammu, being abode of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, has always shown the spirit of assimilation and accommodation and is a shining example of pluralistic character.