Agitated over the suppressive measures adopted by the Govt to place the nationalist leaders of the opposition in J&K under house arrest, J&K National Panthers Party activists led by party chairman Harsh Dev Singh staged a protest demonstration at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi. While raising slogans, the agitated protestors cautioned the Central Government to refrain from quelling the voice of the people which otherwise could lead to serious political consequences. Addressing the media, Harsh Dev pointed out that BJP led Government had made a contemptuous mockery of the democracy by placing the opposition leaders of J&K under house arrest. ” Such unconstitutional and coercive measures are adopted only at the time of national emergency. In view of the tall claims of the GoI of normalcy in the State, why the Government has been resorting to such undemocratic means? Such steps are unwarranted and only showcase the dictatorial character of the NDA Government,” Singh said. “Placing separatists and the leaders of Kashmir centric parties under house arrest is justifiable but the detention of nationalist leaders of Jammu who carried tri-colours in their hands is appalling and defied all rationale”, Harsh Dev maintained. He further expressed his dismay over the two set of rules enforced in the State of J&K wherein the ruling party leaders were allowed to hold public rallies and other publicity campaigns, the opposition leaders were placed under detention despite their nationalist and secular credentials. Harsh Dev while welcoming the abrogation of Art 370 and other allied provisions, vehemently flayed the downgrading of around 200 years old historical state of J&K to UT status. He said that such move had not only lowered the morale of the people of Jammu region but caused huge disenchantment in their hearts and minds. He said that it was the only Dogra state in the country which was conceptualized and created by Dogra rulers with countless sacrifices made by the warrior clan. Seeking a separate state for Jammu region, Singh cautioned the Union Govt to stop taking the people of the region for granted.
