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AS IT IS JAMMU
AS IT IS
RNI : JKENG/2007/26070

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ISSN 0974-5653

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City
IMPACT FEATURES INTERVIEW :

IT IS Jammu Municipal Corporation Kavinder Gupta,

AS JAMMU AS IT IS Mayor
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Bringing World Closer to J&K

Epilogue
because there is more to know

34
F O R T H E
Volume : 3, Number : 10
ISSN : 0974-5653
RNI : JKENG/2007/26070
www.epilogue.in

M O N T H O F O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9

Drive out of the territorial boundary of Jammu

and Kashmir and what most of India and world
knows is only Kashmir. Back home one finds
here three regions –Jammu, Kashmir and
Ladakh –completely different and often at
loggerheads. That is what described internal
dynamics. After a special issue on Ladakh
(August, 2009) the present edition looks into
the regional identity and issues of Jammu
region –for generating a better understanding
within and outside the region.

Epilogue Ø
5×
October 2009
 TREADING FAILURE

A s world watches keenly the new unfolding developments in Pakistan, our

Consulting Editor D Suba Chandran travelled to the troubled country to
bring fresh perspectives for our readers in April Issue.

Apr. 2009

J&K MOVING FORWARD

M ay issue was one of the rare collections of ideas where 12 natives from
both sides of Jammu and Kashmir poured their ideas out of the heart on
how boundaries can be blurred and relations can be strengthened.

May 2009

LOK SABHA POLLS 2009

W ith Prof Rekha Chowdhary looking into various aspects, the May issue
offered a complete view of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and
Kashmir. An interview with Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather explained

A limited number of unbound back volumes is available in our stocks.

most critical questions on the state's economy

June 2009
A R E Y O U M I S S I N G O U R PA S T S T O R I E S

THE FUTURE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

J uly 2009 issue offered a rare insight into the whole gamut of Kashmir
issue. An ACDIS, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign sponsored
study, which was the cover feature, examined Kashmir issue from different
perspectives.

For booking your copies call us at 9797599365

July 2009
UNFOLDING THE LAND OF MOON

A ugust 2009 issue was one of the path-breaking in the life of Epilogue
magazine. The cover story explored many aspects of life in Ladakh and
carried a first hand of research on the state of media in the Himalayan cold
desert.

August 2009
UNDERSTANDING J&K ECONOMY

A lost has been written and debated on politics of Jammu and Kashmir but
nothing much on the economy. Reading into J&K's annual budget that
was presented in August, Epilogue's September issue focused on
developmental and economic profile of Jammu and Kashmir.

September 2009
 Epilogue
because there is more to know

www.epilogue.in CONTENTS

Editor In Verbatim 10
Zafar Iqbal Choudhary Prologue 13
Letters 14
Publisher
Yogesh Pandoh
Column
Consulting Editor Jammu Hills : The Historical 41
D. Suba Chandran Abode of Multi-Culturalism
Prof. Jigar Mohammad
Associate Editors
Irm Amin Baig Features
Tsewang Rigzin Handcuffed Innocence 73
Volume 3, Issue 10, October 2009
Stories of Lost Childhood in J&K
General Manager Deepika Thussoo
Kartavya Pandoh Quenching the Thirst of 74
Manager IN FOCUS Uttarakhand Through Bottled Water
Dinesh Pant
Adarsh Rattan Bali Jammu
(Marketing & Advertisement) As It Is ! Special Report
Art Editor Exposure of Children to 76
Keshav Sharma 16 The Politics of online-pornography :
Regional Identity Implications Disastrous
Research Officer Rekha Chowdhary Javaid Rashid
Raman Sharma
22 Jammu Region Special Article
Phones & email The Story of Neglect How to Read a Person 80
Office : +91 191 2493136 Prof. Hari Om by Gestures
subscriptions : +91 99060 27136 Dr. G.Q. Sheikh
Editorial: +91 94191 80762 28 Discrimination The Symptoms
Administration: +91 94191 82518 in our DNA
editor@epilogue.in Anmol Sharma
subscription@epilogue.in

Printed and Published by

31 The Limits of Duggar-Desh
People, Politics and Leaders
Yogesh Pandoh for Epilogue Viveyata Sharma
NewsCraft from Ibadat House,
Madrasa Lane, Near Graveyard,
Bathindi Top, Jammu, J&K - 180012 35 The Cost of Conflict :
Between Capital Cities
and Printed at : DEE DEE Manisha Sobhrajani
Reprographix, 3 Aikta Ashram, New
Rehari Jammu (J&K)
37 Rajouri-Poonch Sub-Regions
and case for local autonomy
Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction K.D. Maini
of courts and competitive tribunals in
Jammu only.

RNI : JKENJ/2007/26070
ISN : 00974-5653
Price : Rs 30
Epilogue Ø
7×
October 2009
 H E A R & H E A R
Who Said What

Kashmir should be an independent state, not Indian, not

Pakistani. We should end this conflict. It should be a Ba'athist
state between India and Pakistan

Maverick Libyan leader Col Gaddafi at UN General Assembly

Eliminating militants and checking infiltration into Jammu

and Kashmir from across the border though remains key focus
but my priority also includes building conducive atmosphere

Lt Gen BS Jaswal, new Commander of Army's Northern

Command before taking over charge

There is notable progress on dialogue with Kashmiri separatists

but exact details can not be revealed at this stage.

Union Home Minister P Chidambram

I am happy that the Hurriyat Conference also wants peace and I

hope they will take steps towards it

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq

Abdullah

Our Bank has drawn two lessons from the depressing

happenings of the 2008-09, one of strategy and the other of
operations –first, the global problems can have local remedies;
second, that in this phase of exceptional uncertainty, the best
course is to remain conservative

Dr Haseeb Drabu, Chairman and CE JK Bank at Bank's AGM

Epilogue Ø
8×
October 2009
 Mithi Jayee Dograin Di Boli
Te’ Khand Mithe Log Dogre
Sweet is the language of people of Jammu and Sweeter are the people

CITY LIMITS IMPACT FEATURE

JMC
S T O R I E S I N T E R V I E W S
A Leaf From History KAVINDER GUPTA
Jammu : Where Sweet is Mayor, JMC
the Language, Sweeter P-65
are the People
P-48 AS IT IS
SURAJ PARKASH RAKWAL

Making Historical Sense of Statues

India May Learn
Lessons from Jammu
P-52
Pg 48 Secretary, JMC
P-73

Home Truths
City’s Most
Acceptable Guardian
P-63
 SH. TARA CHAND SH. KAVINDER GUPTA
Dy. Chief Minister Mayor

KEEP JAMMU CITY CLEAN & GREEN

JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

Keen to Serve U Better

Look Inwards Also
Zafar Choudhary
T
he story of Jammu region is
one of confusion. It is
confusion today and was
confusion 60 years back.
For decades Jammu has
lived on long standing complaint of
discrimination against the region and
there is still no end in sight for such
gripes. There are complaints against
the political leadership of Kashmir for
keeping the political power
concentrated in few hands and then
there are complaints against New Delhi
for extending a preferential treatment
to Kashmir. While Jammu continues
with its umpteen grumbles, there is a
loud but not so sudden reversal of trend
in the recent years. Since there is no
proper reading of the trends due to a
regional media divide between Kashmir
and Jammu, complaints are now
coming from Kashmir against the State
for offering concessions to Jammu. Pick
up any newspaper from Srinagar and
there are stories on how allegedly the
funds were diverted to Jammu or share
in employment was tailored to hurt
interests of Valley residents. Kashmir
has started complaining more against
allocation of larger resources and
employment share to Jammu. Select
lists of J&K Combined Services
(popularly KAS), Medical and
Engineering, Naib Tehsildars, Junior
Assistants and even constables have all
reflected in recent years more
candidates coming in from Jammu than
from Kashmir. Development indicators
also suggest that per capita annual
expenditure in Jammu region is above
and Kashmir region below the state
level average. These issues are now
being protested in Kashmir. Jammu is,
however, not taking full note of. In an
interview to Epilogue last year, a
senior National Conference leader,
n o w M e m b e r o f Pa r l i a m e n t
Mohammad Shafi Uri put the issue in
his own way: “the discrimination
sentiment in Jammu is more of
psychological in nature. There was
Dogra rule till 1947 and some people
have yet to come to terms with
realties of democracy”. Shafi's
statement may be one set of opinion
but that does not explain the whole
situation. Leaving aside the
controversial statistics of development
and job allocation, there is at least one
visible case of permanent
discrimination against Jammu –the
number of assembly constituencies
higher by nine in Kashmir than in
Jammu. The decision making process,
therefore, is tilted in favour of Kashmir
which is seen in Jammu is a permanent
and unending discrimination. The way
Jammu succeeded in getting Central
University through an agitation, the
permanent imbalance of assembly
Epilogue Ø
11 ×
October 2009
P R O L O G U E
From the Editor
seats too could have been addressed
someday but there are inherent
problems within the region. Jammu is
further divided into sub-regions with
very clear religious and ethnic
undercurrents. What jeopardizes the
cause of Jammu region is the fact that
discrimination discourse in Jammu is
mostly city-centric and often lets the
religious sentiments to overtake
regional issues? For example, the
Muslim dominated districts of region
–Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar, Doda,
Ramban and Reasi –often refuse to
become party to the cases projected in
districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua etc
–essentially the Hindu dominated
districts. With this division within the
region, many in Kashmir and
elsewhere in the country dub any
agitation in Jammu as communal and
they often have valid reasons to say so.
At Epilogue, we have been arguing for
close to three years that internal
synergy among regions –Kashmir,
Jammu and Ladakh –within the state is
most essential for resolution of all
issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir.
It is true that there are issues within the
regions but they can be resolved
without having targeted the other
region as an offender.
Feedback :
zafarchoudhary@epilogue.in
 L E T T E R S
Readers Write

Unusual for J&K

I am a student at the University of Chicago. I lived in Jammu
and Kashmir for one year in 2004-05 and I have visited state
since then. My primary interest is with respect to the Right
to Information in Jammu and Kashmir. I have worked on this
issue since 2005.
I recently encountered Epilogue and read your most
recent edition and I thought the quality of content was very
good and particularly unusual for J&K. Epilogue magazine
almost seems J&K's answer to Outlook. I don't know if your
magazine has any particular political inclinations but I hope
it does not.
I have been working closely with my best friend and
Kashmiri activist Muzaffar Bhat in promoting the Right to
Information in J&K and would like to write for Epilogue on
the issue.

PAUL LA PORTE
The University of Chicago
United States

SEPTEMBER 2009

Make
Half story on democracy
Epilogue
Fortnightly U nderstanding the true contours of democracy in Kashmir needs a balanced approach and sense of
history. Riyaz Wani (Kashmir's Democratic Catharsis, Epilogue, September 2009) has tried to
portray the murkier picture of the elections held in 2008-09 by distorting the facts and leaving many
questions unanswered:
I must compliment you
It was highly misleading by the author to say that "the same people who fought the system in the
for the tremendous work
summer voted for it in the winter". As we all know that there is good amount of support for the pro
you are engaged in
freedom leaders and at the same time there is space for pro Indian leaders also. In summer supporters of
through Epilogue. It is
pro- freedom camp organized few 'million marches' where as in winter workers of pro-Indian parties
very informative journal,
managed the election show.
which has got quite
The author writes "an estimated 63 per cent of voters cast their vote in the valley". As per the
impressive and loyal
official statement 63 percent voted in whole state where as almost 43 per cent voted in valley. However
readership in Kashmir
as per the survey done by independent agencies only 15 per cent voted in valley.
and here in Delhi as well.
Majority of these 15 percent voted in rural areas whereas urban Kashmir boycotted the process.
I have recommended it to
Why people in rural Kashmir voted there are few reasons for it:-
many of my like-minded
Firstly these areas are highly infested with Indian army, during summer those who participated in
friends and they are
pro-freedom rallies were beaten to pulp and even booked under PSA while as women were harassed and
simply addicted to it. humiliated. So they were conscious of the consequences if they will not cast the vote.
Though I only wish that
Secondly yes, pro-India parties like PDP made inroads for the first time by exploiting the inhuman
you make it fortnightly. conditions of the rural people, there is no electricity, no water, no roads etc. women have to travel two
miles in some cases to fetch water for drinking purpose.
ZAFAR MEHDI Thirdly, even if they voted they made it clear that they are doing it for the procurement of the
Hindustan Times basic amenities and it should not be seen as abhorrence for the basic sentiment of 'azadi'.
New Delhi

Epilogue Ø
12 ×
October 2009
 L E T T E R S
Readers Write

Bitter But True Creative Approach

Anmol Sharma's article (CUAS and the stillborn wannabes, Epilogue, Dear Editor
September, 2009) is though bitter and blunt but exceptionally As the cover title suggested
daring and truthful. Zafar Choudhary's the game is low for now as (Understanding J&K Economy, Epilogue
divided we always fall) also brings home the point that most of the September 2009), I had thought inside is
problems Jammu confronts with come from within. True. Jammu expert opinion and analysis by
has long been suffering from a leadership vacuum. Most of the economists and budget specialists. It was
leaders have deliberately limited their clouts to Hindu dominated or not. I found your way, of laying out
Muslim dominated areas which is a dangerous trend. We have seen Finance Minister's speech in a way that
Epilogue not taking any regional lines but the way you have tried to even a beginner can understand, quite
educate people by pointing out the loopholes is different kind of innovative and creative. With honourable
regional awakening which many may not like because truth is bitter. exceptions, the Economists and
Harping on a Jammu region which does not include the districts of specialists usually write in a style which
Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi will never serve only their community can understand.
any purpose. There has to be an inclusive approach as rightly Your approach of simplifying the subject
suggested in your columns. was quite helpful in understanding the
scenario.
ISHTIYAQ AHMED
Koteranka, Budhal ANUPRIYA DESHMUKH
Rajouri Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi

NOTE :
During Parliament elections not only urban Kashmir but also rural Kashmir
boycotted (except in some parts of Kupwara ) and it was accepted by the anchors of the The issue which
DD news at that time when one of the anchors who were hosting the live show, said that writer of this
people of Kashmir have given mixed response by not participating in the parliamentary letter has sought
elections. to raise here go
far beyond the
After the elections a fact finding team was sent by European Union, which
scope of article
categorically rejected the elections and said that elections cannot be substitute to the
he reacted on. It
referendum.
is still being
Am I allowed asking the people of India, was it first time that elections were held in
published for
Kashmir? Was it first time that majority voted? If your answer is 'yes' then you accept
the fact that
that for the last six decades Kashmir was your colony, now Kashmiris have lost every
Epilogue seeks
hope and have kneeled to your 'democratic' pressure. If your answer is 'no' then what is
to offer an open
new about these elections, why are you beating the drum unnecessarily? This process is
democratic
going on for last six decades and it has not brought an iota of change in the contours of
space to
dispute.
divergent views
If, for the sake of argument, we believe that 63 per cent voted in elections. Then
without any
why Government of India feels shy in calling the referendum, pro freedom leaders are
censor as long as
on the record in saying that if majority votes in favor of India, we will have no hesitation
the reasonable
in calling ourselves Indians.
limits of
Last but not the least, the presence of more than seven lakh troops, which were expression are
the part and parcel of this so called democratic process, is more than enough for a third maintained.
person to call it a wangled show. I hope that these few lines will find space in your
esteemed magazine.
Editor
MA SUFI, Srinagar

Epilogue Ø
13 ×
October 2009

The Politics of
Regional Identity
Regional Dimensions
Beyond the Kashmiri
Identity Politics
T
he Kashmiri identity politics is
the most dominant politics of the
State and it is this politics that
assumes visibility in the State. This is
mainly due to the ongoing state of
conflict in Jammu and Kashmir which is
rooted in this identity politics. Tracing
its origins to the political movement
against the Dogra rule, the Kashmiri
identity politics has gone through
various phases of its articulation and
assertion. While the first phase of the
political movement was defined by urge
for control over political power as well
as radical transformation of the
economic structure governed by the
feudal and monarchical logic, the
second phase of the movement that
started in post-1953 period was defined
by the urge for an autonomous political
space in the context of erosion of State's
autonomy and intrusive role of the
Centre. The present phase of the
identity politics has been defined by the
logic of militancy and separatism.
Beyond the Kashmiri identity
politics which remains the focus of the
political attention there are various
other manifestations of the identities
and their politics in Jammu and
Kashmir. However, much of the identity
REKHA CHOWDHARY
Author teaches Political Science at the politics outside the Valley is generated
University of Jammu. in response to the Kashmiri identity
(rekchowdhary@gmail.com) politics and is reflected either in the
Epilogue Ø
14 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
context of its specificity vis-à-vis the
conflict situation or in response to the
location of Kashmir in the power politics
of the State. It is in this vein that the
regional and sub-regional identity
politics of Jammu region assumes
importance.
The sense of political alienation
that underlies the conflict politics of
Kashmir is not felt in the same manner
in these two regions. The concerns of
these regions as well as sub-regions are
specific to the issues of power sharing
within the state as well as within the
region. Unlike the Kashmiri identity
politics, political concerns here do not
revolve around the State's relationship
with India. On the contrary, these
revolve around the 'Kashmir-centric'
politics of the state and the inter-
regional and intra-regional relationships.
Much of the regional politics (as also the
sub-regional politics) has 'Kashmir' as its
reference point.
In Jammu region there is a political
discourse that revolves around the
issues related to regional 'deprivation
and neglect'. 'Kashmir' in this discourse
forms the 'centre of power' within the
state and is perceived to be dominating
not only the power structure of the
state but also controlling the economic
and material resources. It is on this
basis that the popular perceptions have
been articulated around the concept of
regional imbalances and a number of
agitations have been organised both in
Jammu.

The politics of regional discontent
is multi-layered and encompasses three
k i n d s o f i s s u e s : f i r s t l y, t h e
developmental issues, mainly those
related to the distribution of material
resources; secondly the issues related
to the power balances within the State
and thirdly the larger political and
ideological issues related to the
political status of the State.
Development Issues
The first set of issues emanate
from the structural changes that the
state went through immediately after
the abolition of monarchy in 1947. The
change in the power structure affected
the position and privileges of the classes
associated with Dogra rule – the
landholding classes and those surviving
under the patronage of the royalty
especially belonging to upper castes.
The new government led by the
National Conference introduced its
radical agenda of land reforms and
other structural changes in the
economy as envisaged in its New
Kashmir Manifesto. These reforms took
place in three phases. In the first phase
of the reforms, in April 1948, the
government abolished the jagirs,
muafis, and mukarraries. The second
phase of reforms took place in October
1948 when the government amended
the State Tenancy Act of 1924 which
provided for security of tenure to the
tenants. The third and the most
important stage of reforms was set with
the passage of Abolition of the Big
Landed Estates Act of 1950. What was
specific about this reform was that
unlike rest of India, the landlords were
not paid compensation for the excess
land recovered from them. Apart from
the land reforms, many other policies
were introduced which had the impact
of upsetting the position of those in
privilege. The extension of educational
opportunities for larger number of
people, for instance, was to open up
state employment, monopolised so far
by the elite, to the new sections of
society. The state was meanwhile
exposed to substantial 'developmental'
activities in the decade of fifties and
sixties which resulted in the social and
In Jammu region there is a
political discourse that
revolves around the issues
related to regional
'deprivation and neglect'.
'Kashmir' in this discourse
forms the 'centre of power'
within the state and is
perceived to be dominating
not only the power structure
of the state but also
controlling the economic
and material resources. It is
on this basis that the
popular perceptions have
been articulated around the
concept of regional
imbalances and a number
of agitations have been
organised both in Jammu.
economic mobility, especially in Jammu
and Srinagar, the two urban centres of
the State. The impact of these changes
could be seen in the political responses
of the entrenched classes of Jammu
who sought to define the loss of their
privileges in regional terms. The
process started right after the initiation
of the land reforms when the erstwhile
rich landed class that had to suffer the
Epilogue Ø
15 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
loss of land (without getting
compensation) projected it as anti-
Jammu policy. Not only they defined the
denial of compensation as
discriminatory but also saw in the land
reform legislations certain concessions
aimed to benefit the Kashmiri land
owning class. The exemption of
orchards from the effect of land reform
legislations for instance, was seen as a
pro-Kashmir policy since most of the
orchards were located in Kashmir. It is
not to say that there were no
beneficiaries of the land reforms in
Jammu. The large number of Dalits of
Jammu like the mass of tillers in
Kashmir became the owners of land as a
consequence of the land reform
policies. However, the Dalits, unlike the
mass of Kashmiris were not politically
mobilised and did not have a political
voice. The course of Jammu's politics,
therefore, was set by the entrenched
classes. Projecting the loss of their
privileges as 'Jammu's deprivation'
under a “Kashmir-centric' politics, they
gave a direction to the regional politics
based upon zero-sum relationship
between the two regions. The politics of
regional divide was further boosted
with the enlargement of the middle
classes both in Jammu as well as in
Kashmir. There was this peculiar
context of the state's economy which
while being flushed with money was
simultaneously defined by its perpetual
status of dependency upon the Centre
with no source of employment other
than the government jobs. The
artificially enlarged state sector
therefore not only became the source of
intense competition but also a terrain
for regional contestation.
Issues Related to Power
Balance
However, though development
issues have often found central space in

the political discourse of regional
deprivation, it is actually the issues
related to the power balance within the
state that remain at the core of the
regional identity politics. There is a
deep-rooted feeling in Jammu region
that there is lack of political parity
between the two major regions of the
state – while Kashmir is the dominant
political partner, Jammu does not have
enough share in power.
The politics of the state has been
so structured that power politics, till
very recently, has been dominated by
Kashmiri political elite. Kashmir region
has a larger share in the State
Legislative Assembly and therefore has
greater representation in the
ministerial and other positions. As
compared to 37 seats of Jammu, this
region is represented by 46 seats. There
are many in Jammu who claim that
representation of this region does not
justify the population and geographical
dimensions of this region. Delimitation
which will give the Jammu region parity
to Kashmir remains a persistent demand
of the political parties representing this
region.
The relative dominance of the
political elite of Kashmir in the power
politics has also been due to the
homogenised politics of Kashmir: a
single party dominating the political
scene with not much space for
opposition. This has been mainly due to
lack of democratisation of Kashmir's
politics and a deliberate attempt to
contain all kinds of dissent within the
mainstream politics. As against this,
Jammu's politics has been fragmented
from the very beginning. Being a plural
society having different kinds of
political identities, it has been
reflecting internal divergence which, in
turn is reflected within the Legislative
Assembly as well.
The political elite of this region,
therefore, have not been able to
negotiate within the power politics of
the State. As a consequence, the ruling
party having a sway on most of the seats
from Kashmir region has been in a
position to form the government
without much dependence on other
regions. This has been truer of the
National Conference which has
dominated the political scene of the
State for the longest period of time.
Being a Kashmir-based party, it could
survive in power politics with merely a
Kashmir's identity politics
got to be organised around
Kashmir's relationship with
India and Jammu's identity
politics was organised
around Jammu's
relationship with Kashmir.
Kashmir came to form the
reference point for the
regional politics of Jammu.
The issues that have been
raised here are mostly
related to the
discrimination of Jammu in
the Kashmir-centric power
relationship
token representation of elite from
Jammu region.
Wi t h n o t m u c h s c o p e f o r
accommodation in power politics the
Jammu's political class has been raising
the issue of regional imbalances and
mobilising the people around the
disparities and discriminations of all
kinds. This is the reason that Jammu has
been witness to a number of agitations.
Though these agitations have been
triggered by the issues related to
educational and employment
Epilogue Ø
16 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
opportunities, or distribution of
resources, the major reason underlying
the agitational response of Jammu has
been the political disparity. Recognising
this factor, Gajendergadkar Commission
appointed after one of the major
agitation of Jammu has actually
recommended the greater
representation to Jammu region in
power politics.
Ideological Divide
However, besides these two sets of
issues underlying the regional politics,
it is the ideological stance around the
final status of the State that provides
emotional substance to the identity
politics. In response to the emotive
identity politics of Kashmir, an equally
emotive response is sought to be
generated by the rightist forces in
Jammu region emphasising incongruity
of this region's political aspirations with
those of Kashmir. Regional politics in
this context gets defined by the feeling
of strong antagonism towards the
'Kashmiri' identity politics. Much of this
politics follows the basic approach of
the RSS towards the Kashmir question –
contestation of the special status of the
State guaranteed by Article 370 as an
appeasement of Muslims and as a
symbol of incomplete integration of the
State within Indian Union.
One could see a reflection of this
kind of politics during the 1952 Praja
Parishad agitation of Jammu in which
the politics of autonomy was opposed
under the demand of 'ek vidhan, ek
pradhan, ek nishaan' (One Constitution,
one president and one symbol). By this
agitation the basis of the special
constitutional status guaranteed by
Article 370 of Indian constitution was
contested. Projecting the full
constitutional integration of the State
with India as the political aspiration of
Jammu, the Praja Parishad sought to
emphasize the divergence between the

politics of Jammu and Kashmir – While
Kashmir demanded Autonomy, the
Jammu region demanded greater
integration of state with India.
It is difficult to argue that this
position is shared by all or even by most
of the people of Jammu region. It has a
clear cut ideological stance of the
parties and organisations of Hindu Right
and even when these parties seek to
represent all the people of the region,
the fact remains that the constituency
of these parties remains limited to the
Hindu-dominated urban areas of the
region. However, in the absence of a
regional party of Jammu, these
organisations seek to appropriate
Jammu's regional politics and make
claim on behalf of the people of the
region. The fact that these
organisations represent the voice of the
most entrenched and the most
dominant classes makes it easy for them
to capture the regional politics and
hegemonise it, rendering other voices
of the region invisible and marginalised.
Political Divergence
However, notwithstanding the
extreme response of the Hindu Rightist
organisations, the political divergence
between the two regions remains a
crucial factor in understanding the
inter-regional relationship within the
state. The fact that there is specificity
to the context of the regional politics of
Kashmir makes the issue of divergence
quite significant. Historically located in
the movement against the Dogra rulers,
the Kashmiri identity politics has
evolved around the context of Kashmir's
relationship with India and has
manifested itself in various dimensions –
ranging from the politics of Autonomy to
the politics of Azadi. The exclusivity of
the Kashmiri regional politics and its
failure to extend beyond the physical
boundaries of this region has been
established by the fact that neither this
kind of politics forms the dominant logic
of Jammu's politics nor does it manifest
itself in any form in this region. Right
from the time of inception of the
National Conference during late 1930s,
the identity politics of Kashmir came to
be defined by the local regional logic.
The way the politics of
regional discontent has been
appropriated and
articulated by the forces of
the Hindu Right, it has
alienated the people of the
Muslim dominated sub-
regions. People both in
Poonch-Rajouri as well as
in Doda sub-regions feel
neglected by the elite of
Kashmir as well as of
Jammu. On various indices
of economy and
development, these areas
fare much worse than other
parts of the region and feel
that their problems have not
been appreciated and dealt
with either in the
'Kashmir-centric' power
politics or in the 'urban-
centric' discourse of the
regional elite of Jammu.
This logic continued to operate in the
post-1947 period even when the NC
assumed the power politics of the state.
Its failure to transcend from its regional
orientation to become a party having a
base all over the state, resulted in the
two regions not having a common
ground of politics. On the contrary, its
Epilogue Ø
17 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
Kashmir-centric political approach
created a perception of neglect of
Jammu region which was accentuated
by the response of Hindu Rightist forces
which sought to project the change of
political power from the monarchy to
popular rule as a change of power from
Jammu to Kashmir region. It is around
Jammu's neglect in the power structure
of the state that the Jammu's identity
politics came to be organised in the
post-1947 period.
It is in this context that the
political divergence between the two
regions came to be defined. While the
Kashmir's identity politics got to be
organised around Kashmir's relationship
with India and Jammu's identity politics
was organised around Jammu's
relationship with Kashmir. Kashmir
came to form the reference point for
the regional politics of Jammu. The
issues that have been raised here are
mostly related to the discrimination of
Jammu in the Kashmir-centric power
relationship.
The context of political divergence
came to be more clearly focused during
last two decades of militancy. The
separatist politics that emerged as the
dominant response of the Valley did not
have much impact in Jammu, though
militancy did take roots in certain parts
of the region. Other than the Kashmiri
speaking part of the Doda sub-region,
the separatist movement did not find
much support here.. The districts of
Po o n c h a n d R a j o u r i , t h e t w o
predominantly Muslim districts of the
region bordering with Pakistan
administered Kashmir, remained
untouched even by militancy for quite
some time. It was only in late nineties
that these areas became active in
militancy-related activities. Sharpening
of the regional identity politics has been
one of the implications of the Kashmir-
specific separatist politics. While the
militant violence in itself generated a

political response against militancy, the
popular separatist sentiment in the
Valley resulted in the expansion of
space for the Rightist politics and a
counter-assertion of chauvinistic
'regional' and 'nationalist' sentiments. In
the overall milieu of assertion of
regional sentiments, the demand for
'Regional Autonomy' was raised and for
some time, the organisations lying at
the fringe were also able to raise the
demands of reorganisation of the State
and formation of a separate state of
Jammu. Though these demands did not
have much impact on the overall
politics of the region, yet they did
succeed in sharpening the politics of
regional divide throughout the period of
late nineties.
Sub-Regional Identity
Politics
The context of conflict during last
two decades has not only reflected the
political divergence between Kashmir
and Jammu region but has also clearly
established as to how extensive and
deep-rooted is the impact of the
political divide throughout Jammu
region. The conflict by its nature
remains ethnic and regional in nature
and despite the efforts to give it a
religious colour by the fundamentalist
organisations, it has not crossed the
regional boundaries. Jammu's Muslims
have not, as a matter of course, joined
the separatist movement of Kashmir. It
is interesting to note that neither the All
Party Hurriyat Conference or any other
separatist organisation has any
effective presence in any part of Jammu
region.
Of the three major Muslim-
dominated sub-regions of Jammu, it is
only the Doda sub-region that reflects
some influence of the politics of
Kashmir. But the influence is more due
to ethnic rather than religious reasons.
A substantial part of the population of
this region is ethnically Kashmiri, having
migrated from the Valley at some point
of time. Maintaining their Kashmiri
identity, these Muslims of Doda, do
empathise with the politics of Kashmir.
But their sympathies do not go beyond a
point. Feeling the brunt of extreme
backwardness, they blame the Kashmiri
Of the three major Muslim-
dominated sub-regions of
Jammu, it is only the Doda
sub-region that reflects some
influence of the politics of
Kashmir. But the influence
is more due to ethnic rather
than religious reasons. A
substantial part of the
population of this region is
ethnically Kashmiri, having
migrated from the Valley at
some point of time.
Maintaining their Kashmiri
identity, these Muslims of
Doda, do empathise with
the politics of Kashmir. But
their sympathies do not go
beyond a point
elite for their marginalisation. The
same is the position of the Muslims of
the Poonch-Rajouri sub-region, the
other Muslim dominated sub-region of
Jammu who feel that Kashmir-centric
power politics has kept the sub-region
perpetually deprived.
To a large extent, the regional
discontent of Jammu defined by feeling
of deprivation and neglect in the
Epilogue Ø
18 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
Kashmir-centric power politics and
administration, is all pervasive and
shared by people all over the region.
However, the way the politics of
regional discontent has been
appropriated and articulated by the
forces of the Hindu Right, it has
alienated the people of the Muslim
dominated sub-regions. People both in
Poonch-Rajouri as well as in Doda sub-
regions feel neglected by the elite of
Kashmir as well as of Jammu. On various
indices of economy and development,
these areas fare much worse than other
parts of the region and feel that their
problems have not been appreciated
and dealt with either in the 'Kashmir-
centric' power politics or in the 'urban-
centric' discourse of the regional elite of
Jammu.
The discourse of regional
deprivation of Jammu has remained
generally oriented towards the elite
and urban interests. Most of the
agitations spearheaded in the name of
regional discrimination of Jammu have
focused on the interest of the educated
middle class located in the urban
centres. It is from the perspective of the
most developed parts of the region that
the issues of regional discrimination and
regional imbalances have been raised.
The real backwardness of the region
which is represented by the poverty,
illiteracy and backwardness of the
marginalized sections of society mostly
situated in the peripheral sub-regions is
not reflected in this discourse.
Jammu's politics of regional
discontent could not be articulated in
an inclusive manner due to the non-
availability of a regional party. Unlike
the National Conference which could
evolve an overarching regional agenda
for Kashmir, Jammu did not have the
benefit of a regional party that could
incorporate in its politics the
aspirations of various communities and
sub-regions within Jammu. There was a
sort of political vacuum in the region
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

after 1947 and this was filled in by the

forces of Hindu Right which sought to
give a communal direction to the
regional aspirations of Jammu. Though
these forces did not succed in
communalising the politics of Jammu
region, yet their political assertion
even from the fringes of the regional
politics did have the effect of creating
a political discourse of regional
politics which was quite exclusive and
did not represent the urges and
aspirations of people belonging to
backward areas.
It is in this context that one can
place the intra-regional political
assertions, especially those emanating
from the backward areas of the region.
Along with the demand for a Poonch-
Rajouri Hill Council, there is a demand
for Chenab Valley Hill council arising in
Doda. This demand seeking for
The discourse of regional deprivation of Jammu has remained
generally oriented towards the elite and urban interests. Most of
the agitations spearheaded in the name of regional
discrimination of Jammu have focused on the interest of the
educated middle class located in the urban centres. It is from the
perspective of the most developed parts of the region that the
issues of regional discrimination and regional imbalances have
been raised. The real backwardness of the region which is
represented by the poverty, illiteracy and backwardness of the
marginalized sections of society mostly situated in the peripheral
sub-regions is not reflected in this discourse.
devolution of power at the sub-regional urban centres of the region, the
level exists parallel to the demand for demand for Hill Council or the sub-
regional autonomy. While the demand regional autonomy is raised from the
for regional autonomy is raised from the backward areas of the region.

JAMIA HAMDARD
(Hamdard University)
Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi - 110052
“Accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in ‘A’ Category”
JAMIA HAMDARD RESIDENTIAL COACHING CENTRE FOR PREPARING
STUDENTS OF MINORITY COMMUNITY FOR ENTRY INTO SERVICES
Jamia Hamdard has been entrusted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India to provide
coaching to students from Muslim minority community for preparing them for entry into services in Government & Private
and Public Sector Undertakings. The Centre is being setup in the main campus of Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New
Delhi - 110062. The University envisages offering coaching for Central and State civil services and services in
Railways, Banks, Judiciary, Financial Institutions, General Service Sector etc.
The coaching program for 6-8 months duration will be rigorous and intensive. It will lay stress on sharpening the
communicative skill and developing analytical approach to situations and problem. Provision of internet facility to the
students to retrieve required information quickly and group discussion with retired and serving Civil Servants will be
added features of the coaching. The coaching would also involve extensive personality development modules. A total of
100 candidates will be admitted in the first batch with 50% seats reserved for girls from the community. Hostel facility may
be made available to candidates from outside Delhi. 20% of the selected candidates will get the stipend of Rs. 2,000/- per
month.
Applications on the prescribed form are invited from the bright candidates from minority community latest by 20th
October 2009. The prescribed application form is available on our website. No application form will be entertained
thereafter.
The Entrance Test for the coaching will be held on 15th November 2009 at Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati,
Hyderbad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Srinagar ancd Thiruvananthapuram. The group discussion and interview will
be held in Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi - 110062, are the date will be announced on our website.

Website : www.jamiahamdard.edu Email : mzabdin@rediffmail.com Sd/-

Ph. Nos. : 011-26059688 (12 lines) Extn. 5303, 5307 Fax : 011-26059663 Registrar
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

Jammu Region
The Story of Neglect

Jammu and Kashmir joined the Indian Union on October 26, 1947. Ever since, then, the people of Jammu
province, Hindus and Muslims included, have been suffering immense losses in spheres political or
otherwise owing to the discriminatory policies being pursued ruthlessly by the Kashmir-centric
authorities. It can be said without any hesitation that the life of the people of Jammu is highly pathetic.
Their complaints are umpteen and appear justifiable when viewed in the light of the official statistics
themselves, leave alone their complaint that they have also been ignored in matters relating to
governance or very crucial political and democratic processes.

PROF. HARI OM
Author is Maharaja Gulab Singh Chair
Professor at the University of Jammu
(omhari09@yahoo.in)
C
onscious of the space limit, I will
focus only on sever issues to
make the point that Jammu
province is indeed a victim of gross
discrimination and these include poor
road connectivity, inadequate power
generation, small number of
administrative units, acute
unemployment, glaring disparity in
wages, wrong admission policy and
invidious distinction between Kashmir
and Jammu as far as allotment of funds
are concerned.
Poor Road Connectivity
It is hardly necessary to point out
that roads are the lifeline of any region.
The figures as contained in the Report
of the Task Force on development of
Jammu and Kashmir show the extent to
which the State Government has
ignored Jammu in this very important
sphere. This Task Force was constituted
by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in
2006. According to it, the total road
length in Kashmir, which has an area of
less than 16,000 sq kms, was 7129
kilometers in 2006. Contrast to this, the
road length in Jammu with an area
almost two times more that of Kashmir
was 4571 kilometers. This shows that
the road density km / sq km in Kashmir
and Jammu was 310.4 and 138.7,
respectively. That most of the towns
and villages in the Jammu's
mountainous and hilly areas continue to
remain inaccessible even today is a sad
reflection on the ruling elite.
The report of the Task Force shows
that the erstwhile Doda district in
Jammu province, which had a land area
of 11,691 sq km, had road length of 613
km. This means that per sq km road
density in the erstwhile Doda district,
which witnesses road accidents every
other day, was a paltry 5.2 km. In
Poonch district, the per sq km road
density was 13 km as it had a land area
of 1,674 sq km and road length of 217
km. As far as the erstwhile Udhampur
district was concerned, the per sq km
road density in this district was 15.8 km
as it had an area of 4,550 sq km and a
road length of 719 km. In Rajouri
district, the per sq km road density was
19.4 km. This district had a land area of
2,630 sq km and road length of 511 km.
As for Kathua district, it was 29.5 km.
Kathua had an area of 2,651 sq km and
road length of 782 km. The erstwhile

Epilogue Ø
20 ×
October 2009

Jammu district was somewhat
fortunate as the per sq km road density
there was 55.8 km. The land area of
Jammu district was, it needs to be
noted, 3,097 sq km and the road length
1,729 km.
All this shows neglect of Jammu
province in the sense that the per sq km
road density in this province was as low
as 5.75 km. The position of Ladakh was
worse still. In Ladakh, the per sq km
road density was 3.7 km. Leh and Kargil
districts of the trans-Himalayan Ladakh
had land areas of 45,110 sq km and
14,036 sq km, respectively, and road
length of 1,164 km and 676 km,
respectively.
Contrast to Jammu, in Kashmir, the
per sq km road density was 49 km in
2006. The erstwhile Anantnag district
Epilogue Ø
21 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
had a land area of 3,984 sq km and 1,328
km of road length. This shows that per
sq km road density in this district was
33.3 km. In the erstwhile Pulwama
district, the per sq km road density was
62.8 as it had 1,398 sq km area and 878
km road length. The per sq km road
density in the erstwhile Srinagar district
was 64 km. It had a land area of 2228 sq
km and road length of 1425 km. Budgam
district was equally fortunate. In this
district, the road density per sq km was
81.8 km as it had an area of 1,371 sq km
and road length of 1,122 km. As for
erstwhile Baramulla and Kupwara
districts, the per sq km road density in
these two districts was 33.9 km and 34.6
km, respectively. The Baramulla district
had 4,588 sq km of land area and 1,553
km of road length and Kupwara district
2,379 sq km of land area and 823 km of
road length. (Development of Jammu
and Kashmir Growth Generating
Initiatives, Government of India, New
Delhi, November 2006, p. 14). It may be
pointed out that Baramulla and
Kupwara districts are essentially
ethnically non-Kashmiri.
Inadequate Power Generation
In 1947, the total installed
capacity of power stations in Jammu
and in Kashmir Divisions was just 4 MW.
It rose to 55.64 mw in 1967. Jammu
produced over 26.39mw and Kashmir
24. In Ladakh, the installed capacity
was only around 4 mw. From 1967 to
1996, the installed capacity in Kashmir
stepped up very sharply. It rose from 24
mw to 335.36 mw. Contrast to this, the
installed capacity in Jammu during the
same period increased only marginally.
It increased from 26.39 mw to 48.54
mw. In Ladakh, the installed capacity
rose to 16.48 mw. This clearly shows
that the installed capacity in Jammu
and Ladakh increased by 83 per cent and
213 per cent, respectively, and in
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

Units, December 1983, PP. 12, 61, 214,

362). But the Congress-led Government
in the state bypassed this
recommendation and increased the
number of districts in Kashmir with one
stroke of pen from the existing 6 to 10 in
2007, one each for 1585.3 sq km on an
average, with a couple of districts just
one-tehsil district (for example,
Shopian). The State Government
created 4 more districts in Kashmir
despite the fact that there was no such
demand in the Valley. It also increased
the number of districts in Jammu from 6
to 10, but one each for 2629.3 sq km.
The people of Jammu, who fought for
more districts between 1975 and 2007
and laid down half a dozen lives for this
cause, wanted the State Government to
implement the Wazir Commission
recommendations in letter and spirit.
But the State Government implemented
the report in a wrong way, saying it
believed in the “principle of justice and
equity” overlooking the fact that
Jammu had more land area.

Kashmir, it increased by whopping
1,297.33 per cent.
The official statistics on installed
power capacity in terms of percentage
share of different regions between 1967
and 1996 further indicate fast growing
inter-regional disparities. For instance,
in 1967, out of the total installed
capacity of 55.64 mw in the state, the
share of Kashmir was 43.13 per cent,
Jammu's 47.43 per cent and Ladakh 9.44
per cent, respectively. But by 1996, the
scene witnessed a total change and to
the advantage of Kashmir. This is
evident from the fact that while the
share of Kashmir in 1996 was 84 per
cent, that of Jammu and Ladakh was
only 12 per cent and 4 per cent,
respectively. Chenani in Jammu
Province is the only State Power Plant
with an installed capacity of 25 mw. The
remaining State Power Plants with an
installed capacity of 335.36 mw are in
the Valley. These are Upper Jhelum,
Lower Jhelum, Mohra, Ganderbal,
Upper Sindh. Besides, there are a
number of gas turbines in Kashmir,
which also cater to the needs of its
people. On the other hand, the Kalakot
Thermal Plant in Jammu has been
virtually closed down.
Administrative units
The story of matters relating to
administrative units is also not very
different. According to the Wazir
Commission report of 1983, Jammu
deserved 10 districts and Kashmir 7
(Report of the Commission for
Rationalization of Administrative
The Srinagar district in
Kashmir with a land area
of 2,228 sq km and which
consisted of 168 villages
was divided into two
districts -- Srinagar and
Ganderbal. In contrast,
Jammu district having an
area of 3,079 sq km and
which consisted of 1,054
villages was been left high
and dry, nothing
withstanding the creation
of Samba district out it.

Epilogue Ø
22 ×
October 2009
Daily Journalism of Truth

Kattu Sat y a 203 Pacci Dhakki, Jammu

Phone : 0191-2562401, 2562409
Fax : 0191-2562411
Something is Watching you E-mail : kattusatya@yahoo.com
 SULAB
International
Sulabh International
Social Service Organisation

Protection of Environment
Through Sanitation

Be Clean,
Be Happy &
Be Happy
Sulabh International
Social Service Organisation
(NGO with Special Consultative stations in UNO)

Address :
62/1, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu - 180012
Phone : 0191-2472034 Fax : 01912472407
Email : sulabhjammu@yahoo.com

The Srinagar district in Kashmir
with a land area of 2,228 sq km and
which consisted of 168 villages was
divided into two districts -- Srinagar and
Ganderbal. In contrast, Jammu district
having an area of 3,079 sq km and which
consisted of 1,054 villages was been left
high and dry, nothing withstanding the
creation of Samba district out it. It is
hardly necessary to point out that
Jammu district was far more superior to
Srinagar district in terms of population
and land area, including the balanced
area. For instance, the population of
Jammu district, according to the 2001
census, was 15,71,911, as against the
Srinagar district's 11,83,493. As for the
balanced area (where developmental
activities could be undertaken), it was 1, 882
sq km in Jammu and 1,537 sq km in Srinagar.
Likewise, the erstwhile Pulwama
district in Kashmir, which had an area of
1,398 sq km and balanced area of 315 sq
km and which consisted of 536 villages,
was divided into two districts --
Pulwama and Shopian. On the other
hand, Kathua district in Jammu
province, which had a land area of 2,651
sq km and balanced area more than five
times that of Pulwama and which
consisted of 555 villages, was left
untouched. The balanced area of
Pulwama and Kathua districts was 315
sq km and 1,616 sq km, respectively.
Hiranagar tehsil in Kathua district was
bigger in size as compared to the
erstwhile Pulwama district.
Not just this. Srinagar city, which
was way behind Jammu city in terms of
population and area, was divided into
two tehsils - Srinagar North and Srinagar
South - with river Jhelum as the dividing
line. Contrast to this, Jammu city,
through which River Tawi passes, was
left untouched. It may be noted that
Jammu Municipal Corporation consists
of 71 wards and the Srinagar Municipal
Corporation consists of only 65 wards.
The unemployment rate
in Kashmir was less than
30 per cent, as against
69.75 per cent in
Jammu. The people of
Jammu province had a
very little representation
in the civil secretariat, the
seat of power. According
to government report of
2007, the number of
employees working in the
civil secretariat was 1715.
These include gazetted,
non- gazetted and fourth
class employees. The
number of gazetted
officers was 199. The
share of Kashmir was
118 (56 per cent) and
that of Jammu 81 (44
per cent). As for the
number of non-gazetted
officers, it was 1041 (767
or 73.67 per cent from
Kashmir and 274 or
26.23 per cent from
Jammu). The number of
fourth class employees
was 363 (256 or 70.52
per cent from Kashmir
and 107 or 29.48 per
cent from Jammu).
Epilogue Ø
27 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
Acute Unemployment Problem
If the official data is to be
believed, then it can be said that the
share of the people of Jammu province
in the vital employment sector is more
than inadequate. According to the
information tabled on the floor of the
assembly in 2007, the unemployment
rate in Kashmir was less than 30 per
cent, as against 69.75 per cent in
Jammu. The people of Jammu province
had a very little representation in the
civil secretariat, the seat of power.
According to the report, which the State
Government presented to the Assembly
on January 22, 2007, the number of
employees from Kashmir, who were
working in the civil secretariat, was
three times that of Jammu. As for
Ladakh, its share was a just 12 (0.68 per
cent).
According to the same report, the
number of employees working in the
civil secretariat was 1715. These
include gazetted, non- gazetted and
fourth class employees. The number of
gazetted officers was 199. The share of
Kashmir was 118 (56 per cent) and that
of Jammu 81 (44 per cent). As for the
number of non-gazetted officers, it was
1041 (767 or 73.67 per cent from
Kashmir and 274 or 26.23 per cent from
Jammu). The number of fourth class
employees was 363 (256 or 70.52 per
cent from Kashmir and 107 or 29.48 per
cent from Jammu).
That the youth of Jammu has not
been given its due share in the
employment sector can also be seen
from other official figures. The figures
from the employment exchanges
located in the Kashmir's six districts
show that they had till September 2006
registered 35,329 unemployed youth.
The position in Jammu province was
just the opposite. The Jammu province-
based employment exchanges had

registered as many as 63,613
unemployed youth. In other words, the
number of unemployed youth in Jammu
province in September 2006 was nearly
two times that of Kashmir.
The story of neglect of the Jammu
district-based technocrats was no
different. There were 8,327
unemployed technocrats in Jammu
district. In Srinagar district, the number
was 1,511. That means the Jammu
district had 7,826 more – over five times
more – unemployed technocrats, as
compared to Srinagar district. The
region-wise break-up was: Jammu
11,861 and Kashmir 6,370 - a difference
of 5,491 between the two provinces.
Likewise, the total number of
registered unemployed persons in
Jammu district was 27,738. In Srinagar
district, the number of such
unemployed persons was 10,648. In
other words, Jammu district had 17,090
more unemployed youth.
Glaring Disparity in Wages
One of the complaints of the
people of Jammu has been that the
ruling coalition has turned highly
discriminatory against those in Jammu
working in the Public Health
Engineering (PHE) Department under
the Community Participation Scheme
(CPS). Their complaint is genuine. Each
Jammu-based worker is getting a
monthly wage of Rs.500, as against the
monthly wage of Rs.2,100 his Kashmiri
counterpart is getting. The PHE,
Irrigation and Tourism Minister, Dilawar
Mir acknowledged this glaring disparity
while participating in a debate on the
grants relating to his departments on
January 27, 2007. It was during this
debate that certain members expressed
their grave concern over the manner in
which the State Government had been
treating the people of Jammu province.
One of the members even went to
extent of asking: “Should the youth of
Jammu take to the gun in order to
obtain justice?”
When questioned repeatedly, the
minister said that he needed a sum of
Rs. 46 crores in order to meet the
demand of the Jammu-based workers,
who were working under the CPS. (Their
number ran into thousands.) It also
became clear from the discussion that
the government had already paid full
wages to such workers in Kashmir.
It bears recalling that the wages of
the employees working under the CPS
were the same throughout the state.
Each Jammu-based worker
is getting a monthly wage
of Rs.500, as against the
monthly wage of Rs.2,100
his Kashmiri counterpart is
getting.
Every worker was getting a monthly
wage of Rs. 500. It was only in 2006 that
the State Cabinet revised the wages of
such employees. The decision was: Each
employee working under the said
scheme would get a monthly wage of Rs
2,100. It was indeed a good decision
considering the prevailing price
situation. The State Government did
implement this decision but only partly.
It was enforced in Kashmir alone, thus
leaving such employees in Jammu high
and dry. Their wages remain the same
even today.
Wrong Admission Policy
Similarly, the complaint of the
people of Jammu province that their
share in the state's professional
colleges, including medical and dental
Epilogue Ø
28 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
colleges, is negligible and that there is
an urgent need to revise the existing
admission policy just cannot be
brushed aside. It's a well-founded
complaint. A scrutiny of the MBBS/BDS
selection lists of the last 27 years
reveals that the Jammu's share in the
state's medical colleges dwindled from
60 per cent in 1990 to 52 per cent in
1991 to 38 per cent in 1994 to 36 per
cent in 1995 to 20 per cent in 1997 to
17 per cent in 1998. In 1995, the share
was 41 per cent (Report of the
Committee set up by the Government
of Jammu and Kashmir, January 13,
1999, P. 4). Between 1998 and 2008,
the share of Jammu in these colleges
remained almost the same, and
sometimes even less. During the
agitation days, several Jammu-based
political groups demanded
implementation of the Singhal
Committee report, but nothing came
out of their efforts. One of its
recommendations of the Singhal
committee was that admission in the
state's medical and engineering
colleges be made in accordance with
the 1969 Jammu and Kashmir
Universities Act, which had been
enacted solely to mollify the Jammu's
agitating student community. The
1969 Act, which is in force even today,
provides for admission in the
universities on a regional basis (Ibid.,
PP. 20-21).
Developmental Funds: Invidious
Distinction Between Kashmir and
Jammu
The development of Jammu
province has been prevented by
inadequate funds allotted to it. For
example, in the 8th five-year plan (1992-
1997), 9th five-year plan (1997-2002),
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

10th five-year plan (2002-2007) and 11th crore, 58.01 crore, 109.85 crore and 518.88 crore, respectively; and power
five-year plan (2007-2012) Jammu's 83.09 crore, respectively; sewerage 775.12 crore, 85.41 crore, 1731.43
share in such sectors as agriculture was 6.81 crore, 14.61 crore, 71.42 crore and crore and 4918.17 crore, respectively.
Rs 57.61 crore, 147.31 crore, 270.49 35.67 crore, respectively; drainage A single reference to the sales tax
crore and 337.56 crore, respectively; 47.53 crore, 64.96 crore, 75.41 crore realized from Kashmir and Jammu
irrigation 91.14 crore, 112.79 crore, and 1091.61 crore, respectively; between 1975 and 2007 would also be in
267.76 crore and 282.04 crore, housing and urban development 45.23 order. The Government realized Rs
respectively; roads and buildings 144.2 crore, 93.02 crore, 162.52 crore and 2474.802 crores from Jammu and Rs
crore, 29.38 crore, 730.93 1075.29 crores from
crore and 1229.24 crore, JAMMU KASHMIR Kashmir (J&K Planning
respectively; health 123.92 Agriculture 5761 104.5 FYP8 Department papers).
crore, 226.07 crore, 330.32 147.31 253.17 FYP9 But the story of
crore and 510.81 crore, 270.49 380.29 FYP10 Jammu's complaint that
337.56 519.41 FYP11
respectively; tourism 15.21 the State Government, in
crore, 34.99 crore, 47.17 Irrigation 91.14 136.64 FYP8 pursuit of its political and
crore and 36.29 crore, 112.79 210.05 FYP9 economic policies, has all
267.76 446.72 FYP10
respectively; sewerage 2.92 long been directed by the
282.54 365.35 FYP11
crore, 6.26 crore, 30.61 interests of the Valley does
crore and 11.54 crore, Roads & Buildings 114.2 247.22 FYP8 not end here. Official data
29.38 403.67 FYP9
respectively; drainage on the tourism
730.93 751.03 FYP10
20.37 crore, 27.84 crore, 1229.24 1229.24 FYP11 development, educational
32.31 crore and 67.75 institutions, healthcare
Health 123.92 135.34 FYP8
crore, respectively; housing centers, schemes of public
226.07 274.45 FYP9
and urban development 330.32 390.25 FYP10 utility, canals and bridges
19.38 crore, 39.87 crore, 510.81 819.22 FYP11 and so on all indicate
69.65 crore and 279.4 colossal regional
Tourism 15.21 34.39 FYP8
crore, respectively; and 34.99 58.01 FYP9 disparities.
power 516.75 crore, 56.94 47.17 109.85 FYP10 The ruling coalition
crore, 1154.3 crore and 36.29 83.09 FYP11 would do well to take
3278.78 crore, respectively. Sewerage 2.92 6.81 FYP8 cognizance of the
In contrast, the share of 6.26 14.61 FYP9 complaints of the people of
Kashmir in such vital sectors 30.61 71.42 FYP10 Jammu and rectify the
as agriculture was 104.5 11.54 35.67 FYP11 disparities, which are
crore, 253.17 crore, 380.29 Drainage 20.37 45.53 FYP8 indeed very glaring by any
crore and 519.41 crore, 27.84 64.96 FYP9 standard. Not to do so or to
respectively; irrigation 32.31 75.41 FYP10 continue to perpetrate
136.64 crore, 210.05 crore, 67.75 109.61 FYP11 more injustice on them
466.72 crore and 365.35 Housing & Urban Dev 19.38 45.23 FYP8 would be to hasten the
crore, respectively; roads 39.87 93.02 FYP9 process of the state's
and buildings 247.22 crore, 69.65 162.52 FYP10 disintegration. The
403.67 crore, 751.03 crore 27.94 518.88 FYP11 authorities could start with
a n d 1 2 2 9 . 2 4 c r o r e , Power 516.75 775.12 FYP8 opening the Central
respectively; health 135.34 56.94 85.41 FYP9 University in Jammu and
crore, 274.45 crore, 390.25 1154 1731.43 FYP10 make it loud and clear that
crore and 819.22 crore,
3278.78 4918.17 FYP11 it would not ban the inter-
respectively; tourism 34.39 All figures in Rupees Crore, based on Five Year Plan Fundings district recruitment.

Epilogue Ø
29 ×
October 2009
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

Discrimination
The Symptoms in our DNA

Passing on from one generation to other, the discrimination story is perhaps the most popular discourse in
Jammu region. The most interesting aspect of this discourse is, however, that as much Jammu complaints
against Kashmir as much is the City blamed by the peripheral districts of centralizing politics and economy. It
would have been far better for all of us in Jammu if we had sincerely deliberated over this issue as to, whether
discrimination with Jammu is the 'be all and end all' for our miseries or is there something more to it.

ANMOL SHARMA
Author is a practising lawyer at J&K High
Court and a dispassionate observer and
commentator of trends in politics and
society (anmol.sharma@epilougue.in)
I t would not be like going too over
board to say, that alongwith the
developmental race of Jammu
region run on narrow tracks of our
country's resources, the theorm of
“discrimination” has passed like an
invisible baton from one generation to
another. This sentiment has been
passed like any other 'social value' or
'sanskar' present in the DNA, and even a
school going kid nods his head in
agreement when his\her parents etc
chitchat over the issue.
It may be because the customary
master-slave relationship maintained
with impunity by the ruthless rulers of
Dogra-Dynasty has now been upset and
the clichéd 'Kashmiri Lola' has somehow
or the other successfully managed to
turn the tables on his careless 'hazoor'.
Although, it is beside the point and
might bring out many worms from the
can, but nevertheless it is just a 'mouse
click' or a 'distance between your book
seller' away to become conscious of the
level of barbarity perpetrated by us on a
Kashmiri in the good old days of the
'Maharaj Bhadur'.
Now, a contemporary Jammuite
has to deal with a Kashmiri who is far
wealthier than him, has gone to a better
engineering college, speaks fantastic
English and over and above has a mind
boggling house at Hyderpora, Srinagar
whereas previous generation of the
same Dogra had grown up cracking jokes
on the poor crony Kashmiri hatoh's
running nose and smelly clothes.
Apart from that, it would have
been far better for all of us in Jammu if
we had sincerely deliberated over this
issue as to, whether discrimination with
Jammu is the 'be all and end all' for our
miseries or is there something more to
it. The common jingle, like
discrimination with Jammu or Kashmiri
being a blue eyed boy of Delhi are
definitely over played and is a quite
over simplification of the entire affair.
Those who buttress this concept of
discrimination ignore or do not consider
the circumstances in their proper
perspective.
It is very convenient to rubbish off
the real enemy within when an
insignificant imposter is thought of as
being standing in front. It is a naked
truth that Jammu has traditionally been
infamous for its intra as well as inter-
caste rivalry. Jammu per se is a broken
home. Broken home in the sense that at
outer level they are at odds with people
from other caste and at inner level they
are quarrelling amongst themselves.

Epilogue Ø
30 ×
October 2009

At any social gathering one is
tacitly asked to state his name i.e., with
his surname or if while introducing it's
specially mentioned that he is also from
our caste like 'ae bi sada raja pra ai' or
'ae sada he muda hai' etc, then it is
expected that he will get a preferential
treatment for sure. Is it not? Is this kind
of thing not happening in Jammu? Is it
not a common allegation here that a
Rajput officer or a Brahmin Officer will
sacrifice merit/right and generally side
with his subordinate if he also shares his
surname?
The lobbies which have evolved
over the time in the shape of 'Sabhas' la
Brahmin Sabha, Rajput Sabha, Mahajan
Sabha etc are signifying what? The
amount of influence they wield on
public-political level acting analogous
like a pressure group is not hidden from
anybody. Their primary covert purpose
is to support and push their own agenda
and people at the socio-political scene.
Although for all practical purposes it
means pushing a person who is not
competent at all. Who in turn will also
walk the same road and facilitate the
person from his caste only.
If we examine minutely the
personal antecedents of ours, then far
bitterer picture surfaces, as almost
every body you talk to, may be like your
friend or an acquaintance who has an
appalling story to tell as far as his uncle
or for that matter his brother is
concerned. We as a community have
stooped so low that we cannot get along
even with our own brother or father's
brother. Almost 80 or 90% of people that
I know are not on talking terms with
their real uncles or brothers. The kind of
'Sharika pan' paralyzing our society and
rampantly going on is bone-chilling
reflecting in the number of court cases
being fought between families.
What is meant to say here is that
the penchant habit of favoring a person
JAMMU: Casualty of
“discrimination” or
a working example
of “schadenfreude”
The lobbies which have
evolved over the time in the
shape of 'Sabhas' la
Brahmin Sabha, Rajput
Sabha, Mahajan Sabha etc
are signifying what? The
amount of influence they
wield on public-political
level acting analogous like a
pressure group is not hidden
from anybody. Their
primary covert purpose is to
support and push their own
agenda and people at the
socio-political scene
of his own caste and isolating his own
Dogra brother of another caste who may
be of higher merit is a far serious and
more damaging kind of discrimination
than a circumstance where a Kashmiri
will go an extra mile to help his own
Kashmiri brother over a chap from
Jammu. After all we cannot blame a
Kashmiri for helping another Kashmiri,
whereas we do not do this at all. Jammu
Epilogue Ø
31 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
has suffered primarily because of this
propensity.
We are witnessing stagnation only
because our infighting has made the cat
fatter. In the corridors of Jammu
secretariat there are many stories
rampant where we are guilty of making
each others file disappear from the
shelves of the clerks, in 'if I do not get it
you won't get it too' disgusting
mentality.
On the other hand Kashmiri may
be, because of their insecurity of living
in a Hindu India have psychologically
evolved into a magnanimous protective
society. One of my Kashmiri friends
stayed here at Jammu for four years for
his education with his second cousins
family, whereas I or any person from
Jammu cannot even dare to think like
that. Staying for more than a day might
make the Dogra-hostess panic resulting
in nervous breakdown.
It is also worth mentioning here
that all the Kashmiri guys without
exception doing law with me were very
hardworking and it came as a shock to
them when they saw us misbehaving
with our teachers. Even I regret being
aggressive with one member of our
college staff but don't remember any
Kashmiri guy ever being impolite.
Kashmiri has now started exerting
himself more academically and

The case of Amarnath Land
row is a glaring point in
this issue. We were totally
out classed, out matched in
the debates by savvy
Kashmiri leaders, which
were aired on the national
TV Channels. We did not
even have one good speaker
who could out smart them
in English, what we could
manage was 'Khajuria
Sahib' who spoke in Dogri
accent and that too in his
trademark cheap and
derogatory tone. He was our
(mis) representative before
the whole world, was not
worth the show and then
how could we lament later
that we were not given
proper chance/footage by the
TV walas
although they are not very inclined to
read English literature but they are
reading the Holy Quran, one of the best
repositories of wisdom, the
revolutionary poets like Iqbal etc. But
on the other hand we have no taste for
reading good books which espouse
wisdom, world-craft etc. The touch we
have as far as reading is concerned
might be the average 'Daily Excelsior'
and this mediocrity reflects directly in
the way we think, rationalize situations
and our overall smartness.
The case of Amarnath Land row is a
glaring point in this issue. We were
totally out classed, out matched in the
debates by savvy Kashmiri leaders,
which were aired on the national TV
Channels. We did not even have one
good speaker who could out smart them
in English, what we could manage was
'Khajuria Sahib' who spoke in Dogri
accent and that too in his trademark
cheap and derogatory tone. He was our
(mis) representative before the whole
world, was not worth the show and then
how could we lament later that we were
not given proper chance/footage by the
TV walas.
The biggest disease from which
people of Jammu are suffering is in the
shape treachery coupled with the
symptoms of schadenfreude and that
can be gauged from the fact that the
person who fought for our land row
cause, to the best of his ability has now
been rendered a stooge of a comic
theater. Many of his own lawyer
colleagues are ridiculing and making fun
of him at his back. So, one is reminded
of one article published in 'New York
Times' in the year 2002 which cited a
The biggest disease from
which people of Jammu are
suffering is in the shape
treachery coupled with the
symptoms of schadenfreude
and that can be gauged
from the fact that the person
who fought for our land
row cause, to the best of his
ability has now been
rendered a stooge of a comic
theater
Epilogue Ø
32 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
number of scientific studies of
schadenfreude, these authors defined
the term as "delighting in others'
misfortune." Many of such studies were
based on social comparison theory, the
idea that when people around us have
bad luck, we look better to ourselves.
Other researchers found that people
with low self-esteem are more likely to
feel schadenfreude than are people
who have high self-esteem.
Also in a 1991 episode of The
Simpsons “When Flanders Failed”, Lisa
asks Homer if he's ever heard of
schadenfreude after he expresses
delight that Ned Flanders' business is
failing. Defining it for him, she says, "It's
a German term for "shameful joy",
taking pleasure in the suffering\failure
of others. On one day he is christened as
the new age 'Giridhari Lal Dogra' and on
another we have the shameless
audacity to label him as an opportunist
with a sarcastic grin on our faces.
People of great nations do not act
and behave like that; they have strong
will power and have will to go on ahead
no matter how hard the world hits
them. People of Jammu instead of
admitting to their own shortcomings
should not blame every thing on a
distant stranger residing in Kashmir like
the way Michael Caine of 'Blame it on
Rio' movie blamed falling for his best
friend's daughter on the promiscuous
milieu of Brazil. It would be good
inspiration for us if we look at the way
Israelis have transformed themselves
from being temporary settlers not so
long ago to now being one of the best in
the field of military, fighter pilots and
state craft.
We need to accept that internally
we are a vertically split society and
start undoing our cold blooded caste
wars.
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

THE LIMITS OF DUGGAR-DESH

People, Politics and Leaders

Jammu is the most heterogeneous and multicultural region in context to any physically quantified dynamic
ranging from religion, caste, dialect, to culture. There is an old saying in this regard that both environment
and language over here changes after few miles. Talking of Jammu province we can say that its
demographic profile is heterogeneous with districts like Jammu-Kathua being Hindu dominated,
Udhumpur-Doda showing mixed trends of having both Hindu Muslim community in sizeable proportions,
and Rajouri-Poonch being Muslim dominated. The so called Dogra identity if exists may be said to be visible
in what is known as 'Duggar-Desh' i.e. Jammu-Kathua region, or more appropriately now Jammu-Kathua-
Samba region. Jammu could not evolve a mass based politics exclusive in its territory the way Kashmir or
lately to some extent Ladakh could be said to have evolved so.

U ntil recently, the one issue that

VIVEYATA SHARMA
Author is a scholar of Political Science,
currently on a teaching assignment.
could mobilize people in any
little way was that of inclusion
of Dogri language in eighth schedule. It
was after fifty-nine years of struggle
that Dogri finally got the recognition
which the people have wanted for it or
more correctly what the civil society
and elites have wanted. On a deeper
analysis one can say that even this issue
was not having such mass support which
it should have and the inclusion of the
language in the eighth schedule was not
totally because of some struggle
movement if there was any. First, of all
what so ever was being demanded was
asked by a little chunk of elites and
interest groups, and secondly the main
thrust on the issue came because a
language like Bodo that is patronized by
only hundred thousands of people was
given priority over Dogri by the central
government. The reason for lack of
common people's enthusiasm and overt
support to the movement becomes
evident if one tries to find as to what
does the inclusion of Dogri in eighth

Epilogue Ø
33 ×
October 2009

schedule means? It means that:
Aspirants can write UPSC exams in
Dogri; In Parliament, one can ask
questions in Dogri; Financial benefits
will be available for promotion of Dogri
language and Dogri will get its due space
in Doordarshan.
Thus, as becomes evident from
above that how can a common man be
mobilized on these issues? It is for sure
that he will be benefited in no way by all
these privileges in his real practical life.
It is only Dogri experts and literates up
to the required level who will reap the
maximum benefits and that is the
reason they were supporting the cause
with such zeal. One thing that this
inclusion served was that it signifies the
emotional satisfaction for several lakh
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
One reason which obviously comes into mind for lack of people
participation and mobilization on political issues is political
illiteracy and ignorance of people. People in Jammu region and
more specifically in Dogra belt are not that politically literate
and aware and are in such professions viz. farmers who do not
have direct dependence upon formal political structures and
processes. These people are so engrossed in their daily needs and
requirements that they have no time to spend on giving a
thought to political issues and problems which for them is a
leisure activity in which they indulge in once a while.
Dogri speaking people. This however, is benefits, if any.
not enough to articulate and mobilize One reason which obviously
people who don't even know what comes into mind for lack of people
eighth schedule is all about, forget it participation and mobilization on
political issues is political illiteracy
and ignorance of people. People in
Jammu region and more specifically in
Dogra belt are not that politically
literate and aware and are in such
professions viz. farmers who do not
have direct dependence upon formal
political structures and processes.
These people are so engrossed in their
daily needs and requirements that
they have no time to spend on giving a
thought to political issues and
problems which for them is a leisure
activity in which they indulge in once a
while.
Another factor which is important
in this context is the lack of efficient
and dynamic leadership. Jammu cannot
boast of a leader like Sheikh Abdullah.
There is not even a single leader of
Jammu of such stature and personality
that can legitimize politics and make it
a perpetual process. With the coming of
democratic process and modernization
phenomena, elections and parties came
to the fore front. But to the
disappointment of people no party and
Epilogue Ø
34 ×
October 2009

no leader could claim the support and
loyalty of masses in Jammu. Thus,
Jammu became only an instrument to
form government by acquiring required
number of seats to fulfill the criteria
which has a huge share of the valley.
People over here vote on party and
parochial lines. They are moved by
caste, religion and gender more rather
than basic and fundamental issues.
Leaders have not been able to bind the
people together by cultivating a feeling
of oneness and unity, so people look at
political issues from individual level and
are thus unable to influence or make
their concerns visible at decision
making level.
Political parties whether national
or regional seem to be at similar level of
alienation. No political party has such
agenda for the region that can mobilize
the region. BJP until recently was
talking only of abolition of article 370.
Now what a layman can derive out of it
that is something meaningful is as
ambiguous as the article itself.
Congress talked of discrimination
against the Jammu region, failure of the
government to set up a finance
commission for allocation of funds
among three regions of J&K on
equitable basis, till the time it was in
opposition. Regional parties generally
talk of separate state status for Jammu.
All these demands depict more of
political aspirations and less of people's
aspirations of the region.
The politics of J&K and specifically
of Jammu is marked by a culture
allegation and counter allegation. On
the one hand politicized interest groups
and parties from Jammu allege
government of ignoring Jammu and
favoring Kashmir over it in every respect
of resource distribution and utilization.
Some of these complaints are age old
while other keep on adding this long list
from time to time. One of the recent
plights of the people is the issue of
increase in number of assembly seats. If
the proposed plan is accepted it will
result in 42 seats instead of present 37
in Jammu, and 56 instead of 46 in
Kashmir. (this proposal was mooted by
Jammu cannot boast of a
leader like Sheikh
Abdullah. There is not even
a single leader of Jammu of
such stature and personality
that can legitimize politics
and make it a perpetual
process. With the coming of
democratic process and
modernization phenomena,
elections and parties came
to the fore front. But to the
disappointment of people no
party and no leader could
claim the support and
loyalty of masses in Jammu.
Thus, Jammu became only
an instrument to form
government by acquiring
required number of seats to
fulfill the criteria which has
a huge share of the valley
Ghulam Nabi Azad's cabinet in 2006 and
shelved by himself before he demitted
office in 2008).
The voices are being raised that
while bringing about any hike
government should consider the
population of the region rather than
any other formulae. Jammu has more
Epilogue Ø
35 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
population numerically so it is Jammu
who should have more seat share.
Other recent issue is that of
implementation of Wazir Commission
report and creation of eight new
districts. The government is boasting
that it has continued with its promised
non-discriminatory policy by providing
both Jammu and Kashmir with four
districts each. However, some people
are of the view that government can
not provide Jammu with any privilege
without appeasing Kashmir on its own,
since there was no demand of new
districts from Kashmir. Others say that
four new districts in Jammu do not
cater to the requirements and the
demand for providing district status to
Sunderbani and Billawar have been
ignored. Besides there is sorrow
amongst such concerned areas of
region who complain that they have
not received due attention, and funds,
as announced by both the state and
centre government for reconstruction
and rehabilitation programme in
context to the devasting earthquake
relief that is being chhenlised to
valley. The positive implication in all
this otherwise seemingly depressing
discourse is the fact that one
important factor that emerges out in
determining the concerns and voices
of people is the economic
development, progress and growth.
People thus somehow seem o be
identifying more with their economic
concerns rather than any other issue.
It isn't so that there are no issues in the
region, but somehow neither the
people claim forcefully nor do the
leaders address them with conviction.
Unemployment is a huge issue but is
not referred to or talked of with such
vigor that is required. From a
government statistics it becomes clear
that out of total number of

unemployed youth in the state, 69.5%
belong to the Jammu region. Jammu is
falling short of 5.55 million gallons of
water daily. Similar is the case with
power supply. People and leaders
rather than indulging in shallow
arguments should assert unitedly
on some basic issues that
unfortunately could not attract
the attention of people and
leaders. Few important issues that
come to mind on a brisk thought is
the delay in the Sawalkote power
project, number of people living
below poverty line has been
gradually increasing, there has
been no water resources in some
of the villages since independence
which is a shameful reality
keeping in mind that population
has been increasing and supply by
water tankers is irregular
imposing a severe question to the
schemes like Bharat Nirman Yojna.
Despite all these glaring
problems and issues the question
arises as to why don't people get
united and raise their voices in
this context and why all this
alienation does not inculcate such
feeling of marginalization as it
does in the Valley. An important
and basic reason may be stated in
response to this and that is that
people somehow could not
identify with these issues as a
common grievance and leaders
could not maneuver their politics
around such development issues
and those who did could not deliver.
Jammu elites and leaders have most of
the time manipulated the politics to
see themselves in power and feel
satisfied after having some share in
the government. Leaders have raised
concerns and voices for Jammu's
development and referred to catchy
words like discrimination and
marginalization in context to Jammu
but they forget all their words and
promises once they are a part of
government, whatever is the reason.
Another important reason that may be
The industry sector if not booming
is at least blossoming. The areas
around Jammu like Samba,
Vijaypur, and Kathua are fast
coming up as economic hubs with
big names like Berger and Cadila
setting up their units over here.
Jammu has comparatively balanced
growth in the industry with
investment in manufacturing and
processing units as well. However
we must keep in that, fortunately,
Jammu has not to witness the
turmoil and devastation that Valley
has seen and lived with. A survey
conducted by CCI declares that
every Bandh costs about Rs. 8.50
crores loss to the trade and industry
in one day in Jammu. Imagine
what it would have cost Kashmir
for hundreds of days of shut downs
over past 20 years.
listed in this context is that majority of
people of the belt being talked of
constitute of Business class. They,
thus, are interested in their
development and progressive policies
rather than any other issue of basic
amenities. They somehow do not
depend directly on governmental
Epilogue Ø
36 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
machinery to cater to their
requirements and mange the personal
chaos. The industry sector if not
booming is at least blossoming. The
areas around Jammu like Samba,
Vijaypur, and Kathua are fast coming
up as economic hubs with big
names like Berger and Cadila
setting up their units over here.
Jammu has comparatively
balanced growth in the industry
with investment in manufacturing
and processing units as well.
However we must keep in that,
fortunately, Jammu has not to
witness the turmoil and
devastation that Valley has seen
and lived with. A survey conducted
by CCI declares that every Bandh
costs about Rs. 8.50 crores loss to
the trade and industry in one day
in Jammu. Imagine what it would
have cost Kashmir for hundreds of
days of shut downs over past 20
years.
It is high time that a joint
effort is being put on the part of
both the classes as well as the
masses of the people of Jammu to
create a sense of assertiveness
that is emancipatory and
empowering in true sense. There
is no lack of prerequisites for
evolving a mass based politics,
what needs is conviction and will.
We should do away with the
culture of suspecting each and
every positive step. It isn't so that
we have nothing good to feel
about in context to people's
participation and mobilization. People
are becoming aware and conscious of
their rights and are now ready to talk
and debate whatever is the discourse
of the season which are good signals
for strengthening the foundations of
democracy.

The Cost of Conflict :
Between Capital Cities
MANISHA SOBHRAJANI
Author is a Delhi-based independent
researcher working on the various
aspects of the Kashmir conflict.
(manishasobhrajani@hotmail.com)
I
am often asked what drew me to
research in Jammu & Kashmir. I
usually have a long answer for it, but
the crux lies in the diversity within the
so-called 'Kashmir problem'. The
complexities at every step of life in J&K
allow for so much to be explored (not
necessarily good for those living
there!), and despite several years of
working in the area, I still feel I don't
know enough. The Jammu-Kashmir
divide does not really help to clear
things. While the Valley has received
a lot of international attention, aid,
civil society intervention, and media
coverage (justifiably so), Jammu and
its adjoining areas seem to have been
caught in murky regional politics. It is
often said that Jammu is
discriminated against, and does not
receive its due share of
developmental efforts - neither by
the State and/or Central
governments nor by the civil society.
We've all heard of the latest
controversy brewing in the region:
about where a Central University will
be set up – Jammu or Srinagar.
Unfortunately, while the two
capital cities remain entangled in
debates, arguments, accusations,
controversies and land rows, the
Kashmiri conflict (at the people's level)
remains largely unaddressed in
inaccessible districts and villages of
J&K. For example Darchiks, the last
Epilogue Ø
37 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
village en route Leh to Kargil which is
under Army surveillance due to its
proximity to the LoC, and which is
known for the last few surviving Aryans
who live there; or Tarkundi, sandwiched
between Poonch and Rajouri, where 90
per cent of the village had migrated due
to heavy cross-border shelling and
firing, but an election booth was set up
for the remaining two families which
chose to stay back; or Salhotri, the last
Indian village in Poonch district from
where on a clear morning one can 'see' a
Pakistani mosque and a Pakistani
engineering college just across, but all
the houses have their gates and
entrances in the opposite direction
because you never know when a shell
might land in your courtyard!
The present state of mind of an
ordinary Kashmiri can be judged from
this statement made by an elderly
gentleman in Srinagar whose son's
wedding I was attending. He said: “A
Kashmiri has had to divide his heart into
4 parts – one for India, one for Pakistan,
one for azaadi (freedom), and one part
which is still confused and does not
know what it wants…”
As a keen observer and follower of
the women's movement, I am
particularly interested in the lives of
Kashmiri women. The women's
movement in India can broadly be
divided into 3 segments – first, the
urban feminist groups; second, the
 IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!

larger, more rural-oriented voluntary
organizations; and third, the mass
peasant struggles. In a place like Jammu
& Kashmir - a territory torn apart by
conflict - mobilization of women's
rights is next to impossible. The way
the issues of violation of rights of
women are raised within the context
of the identity politics, the concern for
women does not go beyond a point.
Yet, across the state, women have
built platforms for peace, rebuilt
communities blown apart by separatist
agendas (in the case of Kashmiri
Pandits), and nurtured those that have
been scarred in unimaginable and
innumerable ways, slowly building a
structure of 'normalcy' under the most
difficult conditions.
Work on conflict in the past two
decades has looked at the specific
implications of conflict for women.
Feminist writing has attempted to
understand the politics of mothers'
fronts, the specific mobilizations by
women to promote peace and resist
conflict, the ways in which family and
community locks women into
inescapable custody - through non
consensual marriage, the denial of
choice in widowhood, and remarriage
practices; the experiences of
combatant women within militant
movements and resistance struggles;
the relationship between the violent
masculinity of the armed forces and
women at contested boundaries or on
the borders of nations, to cite a few
concerns in the sub-continent.
Most of the developmental work in
and around conflicts approaches the
issue from a fairly static and simplistic
notion of identity. Perhaps we need to
view it from notions of masculinity and
femininity – separating women's issues
from the rest of it - and their
connections with violence or peace.
But what needs to be done right
away is to interact with common men
and women in Kashmir, and make them
feel 'involved'.

SHRI MATA VAISHNO DEVI UNIVERSITY

Sub-Post Office, Katra-182320-J&K,
Recognized under section 2(f) & 12(b) of the UGC Act of 1956

MBA & MBA (BE) ADMISSIONS : ACADEMIC SESSION 2010-11 (THROUGH CAT - 2009)
College of Management, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, offers two years full time Master Degree Programs i.e. Master in Business
Administration (MBA) & MBA (Business Economics), through Common Admission Test (CAT). The College shall consider CAT 2009 Score for
admission to the MBA & MBA (BE) Program for the Academic Session 2010-11. Applications are invited from interested candidates who wish to
apply for admission to MBA & MBA (BE) programme for Academic Session 2010-11
ELIGIBILITY : Graduation in any discipline, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled
Caste (SC), Scheduled Task (ST) and Differently Abled (DA) categories). Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor’s
degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirements and are awaiting result can also apply.
HOW TO APPLY : Prospectus and Application Form can be obtained on payment of an A/c Payee DD of Rs. 1000/-, from Public Relations
Office, 15C, 2nd Extension, Opp. Bahu Plaza, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu - 180001, or from Office of the AR (A&E), SMVDU Campus, Sub-Post
Office Katra - 182320, J&K India. Or the Form can be downloaded from our website www.smvdu.ac.in and can be submitted along with a DD of
Rs. 1500/- drawn in favour of Registrar, SMVDU, payable at Jammu. The students, who seek admission in SMVDU, need to apply directly to the
University as well.
SEATS : All the seats shall be filled on the basis of merit only as per the University norms. The total number of seats for the program will be
decided by the SMVD University.
NOTE : (1) The College of Management of SMVD University shall use the CAT Score 2009 only for short-listin g the candidates for admission to
two year full time Masters Degree Progam in Business Administration (MBA) & Masters Degree Program in Business Administration (Business
Economics) for the Academic Session 2010-11; (2) IIMs have no role either in the selection process or in the conduct of the program ; (3) The
decision relating to the conducting of CAT and the CAT Centers will be taken by the IIMS and will be binding on the applicants.
NOTE : Besides the CAT Score, the Final Selection ofthe Candidates shal be made after considering other components of the selection process
as well as the admission norms for the MBA & MBA (BE) Program by SMVD University
IMPORTANT DATES
Sale of CAT Vouchers by Axis Bank & Registration for CAT Starts 09/09/2009
Sale of CAT Vouchers by Axix Bank & Registration for CAT Ends 01/10/2009
CAT Test Date 28/11/2009 to 07/12/2009
CAT Result 22/01/2010
Starting date of Sale of Admission Forms for College of Management, SMVDU 05/10/2009
Last Date of sale & submission of Admission Forms for College of Management, SMVDU 20/11/2009 (till 4:00 p.m.)
Sd/-
No. : SMVDU/A&E/09/1906 Registrar

Epilogue Ø
38 ×
October 2009

Rajouri-Poonch sub-regions
and case for local autonomy
K.D MAINI
Author, living close to LoC in Poonch, is a
peace activist and acclaimed writer on
history, culture and heritage of region
(kdmaini123@yahoo.com)
T
he twin districts Poonch and
Rajouri falls in Pir Panchal track
of Jammu province of J&K State.
This is an important mountainous region
located in between the valley of
Kashmir and Dogri speaking zone
(between Chenab and Ravi rivers). Mr.
A.S Stein, the commentator of Raj
Tringani of Kalhana had defined Pir
Panchal track as a region between the
river Jhelum and Chenab in the
southern and southwestern slopes of Pir
Panchal. This region starts from the
Banihal pass and comprised of Budhal,
Rajouri, Kotli, Mirpur, Sudhnutti,
Rawalakote and Bagh. The LOC passes
through the heart of this region.
Presently only two districts Poonch and
Rajouri of Pir Panchal track are located
on this side of LOC while Mirpur,
Sudhnutti, Rawalakote and Bagh falls on
the other side in POK. 123 kilometers
long LOC touches the boundaries of
Poonch and Rajouri districts which
starts from Sunderbani block and after
touching the Nowshera, Rajouri,
Manjakote, Balakote, Mendhar, Poonch
and Mandi block the LOC turn towards
Gulmarg side from Sawjian onwards.
Historical Identity
As per the revenue record, the
total area of Poonch-Rajouri districts is
4.61 lakh hectare while the projected
population for the year 2009 is 10.27
lacs. Gujjar, Bakerwal tribes and Pahari
speaking people are mostly inhabiting in
these twin districts of the state. This
Epilogue Ø
39 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
track had never remain the part of
Jammu before 1846 AD, therefore the
historical background, cultural aspects,
dresses, linguistic aspects, habits, life
style and economic status of the people
of Pir Panchal track are not resembling
with that of Dogra speaking people
inhabiting between the river Chanab
and Ravi.
Pir Panchal region had came in
limelight during Mahabarta period.
There is a reference of King Panchal
Naresh and Panchali (Dropati) in the
Mahabarta. Most of the historians are of
the view that Panchal Naresh was the
king of the area of foothills of Pir
Panchal track. In 336 AD when
Alexander the great attacked on the
territory of the Porus, the King of
Hazara at that time Pir Panchal track
was known as Drava Abhisara (Rajouri,
Poonch and Kotli). The Raja of this
region had remain neutral during the
war. In 10th century AD there were
three important principalities known as
Rajapuri (Rajouri), Loharkote (Poonch),
and Kalanger (Kotli) while in the
beginning of 17th century AD there were
number of small principalities in this
track like Budhal, Rajouri, Manjakote,
Thakiala, Poonch, Sadhroon etc.. These
principalities were having no link with
J a m m u . H o w e v e r, a l l t h e s e
principalities were dissolved in
between 1819 to 1846 AD firstly by
Lahore Darbar and then by Maharaja
Gulab Singh. Finally in 1846 AD Poonch

and Rajouri principalities were merged
with the J&K state of Maharaja Gulab
Singh in the light of Amritsar Pact of
15th March 1846 AD. Therefore, the Pir
Panchal track is having its own historic
background, geographic scenario,
economic problems, social conditions
and cultural heritage.
Present setup
Presently the Pir Panchal track on
this side of the LOC is comprised of
Poonch and Rajouri districts with one
Municipal Council at Poonch, six
notified area committee namely,
Sunderbani, Nowshera, Thanamandi,
Rajouri, Surankote and Mendhar and
563 villages. This track is located on the
tail end of Jammu province. Most of the
area is cut off, inaccessible and
mountainous, very meager
infrastructure is available. These twin
districts are bounded with the main Pir
Panchal range of mountains in the
northern side and LOC in the southern
and southwestern sides. More than 77%
villages are located either in the
mountainous belt of Pir Panchal or near
the line of actual control. Due to its
geography, locational disadvantages,
existence on the line of actual control,
far-far away from the power centres,
negligible representation in political
scenario and executive agencies had
contributed a lot in the economic
backwardness of the people of these
two districts. The people are facing
unique and distinct type of problems
and miseries due to various reasons.
There are various reasons of economic
backwardness.
Sufferings due to partition
After the happenings of 1947 123-
kilometer LOC have been established
between the heart of the Pir Panchal
track. This region have been divided
into two parts. The partition of the
state had not only divided the territory
but also the families residing in Pir
Panchal track were divided. More than
62% population of Poonch and Rajouri
districts are comprised of divided
families. If mother is residing on this
side, the son may be located on the
other side. Therefore, this unnatural
division of families had given a deep
wound to the people of this region
which had not happened with any other
part of Jammu region.
41% population of the twin districts
falls in 5 kilometers long border belt.
The public of this belt had suffered a lot
due to continuous cross firing, shelling,
internal disturbances, low intensity
conflict and three battles with Pakistan
during last 62 years. They have not seen
a day of peace before 2005. Therefore
the habitants were facing unique type
of problems which had become a cause
of their economic backwardness.
Therefore after independence the
people this region could not think about
the developmental scenario for a pretty
long period.
Economic disparities
The northern belt of the region is
comprised of hilly and mountainous
area of main Pir Panchal range of
mountains which remains under the
cover of snow for most of the months.
The terrine is hilly and mountainous.
The villages, habitations and
households are scattered on the slopes.
Due to cold climatic conditions only
Kharief crop is possible in that area and
only one crop is grown in 69% agriculture
land holdings. The livelihood of 81%
population is dependent on agriculture
and allied activities. Only 12% land is
having irrigation facilities. The average
land holding is 1.31 hectare which is the
lowest as compared to the average land
holdings of the state. As per one
estimate there is an irrigation potential
Epilogue Ø
40 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
of 21000 hectare in these twin districts
but only 8600 hectare land is irrigated.
No sincere efforts have been made for
the proper utilization of water
potential of Poonch river, Dharali
nallah, nallah Hans and Sukhtoo. About
30 years back, Parnai Hydle project was
taken in hand by the state government
at Draba. It was expected that 49
megawatt power shall be generated
apart from the irrigation of 22000 kanal
land in Mendhar area, but the work was
stopped in early 90s due to unknown
reasons. As compared to this, hundreds
of medium and large scale irrigation
canals have been constructed in
Jammu, Katha and Udhampur districts
during this period.
There is no industrial environment
in Poonch-Rajouri districts. About 30
years back 60 kanal lands was purchased
at Rajouri and Poonch for the
establishment of industrial ventures but
no important unit have come up due to
the non-cooperation of bankers and
financial institutions. The commercial
ventures are also not satisfactory. This
scenario have created lot of
unemployment problem in the district.
As compared to this scenario thousands
of kanal land have been acquired at
Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur
and required funds have been provided
to the unit holders apart from free
lands. This discrimination have
demoralized the youths of Poonch and
Rajouri districts.
There are 39% families in the twin
districts of Poonch and Rajouri which
are yet to be electrified. These houses
and habitations are mostly located on
border area or the slopes of the
mountains. On the other hand where
the power is available. The people are
facing lot of problem due to irregular
cuts and low voltage. There is no Power
Project in these districts at present and
power is imported from outside.

Kalakote Thermal Project have been
stopped long back. Number of time the
survey of Gagarkote-Mandi project was
conducted but the work have not been
started at site. As compared to this
number of Mega projects are being
constructed in the other part of Jammu
province.
31% villages of twin districts of
Rajouri-Poonch are yet to be connected
with roads. Even in those villages
where the network is available, the
conditions of the road is depleted.
Number of fair whether road
constructed earlier have been un-
trafficable in absence of up gradation.
The schemes taken in hand even 30
years back have not been completed,
for example the foundation stone of 52
kilometer Buffliaz-Mandi road was laid
by Sheikh Mohd Abdullah in 1979 AD. It
was expected that 36 villages across
nallah Suran and nallah Mandi with
82000 populations shall get road linkage
facilities with the construction of this
road. But only 20 kilometers stretch
have so far been constructed and rest of
the work is still pending. Same is the
condition with important road which
were started for the linkage of remote
areas of Thanna, Darhal, Budhal and
Mendhar. On the other hand, in Jammu
and surrounding district there is a good
village road network. Therefore, the
people feels that they are being
deprived of even the linkage of road
facilities.
The literacy rate is 51% which is far
below from the average 54% literacy
rate of the state. The education system
is not satisfactory, 40% schools are
without playfields. 35% middle schools
are without library facilities, 23%
school are having acute shortage of
sitting arrangement, 34% schools are
having less accommodation then the
requirement while 27% high and higher
secondary schools are under staff. The
monitoring and supervision system is
not proper due to which the students
are facing lot of problems because
teachers are used to leave the schools
at their own will. Due to these
constrains the twin districts Poonch and
Rajouri could not produced IAS, IPS and
IFS officers and their share in KAS,
Medical and Engineering services is also
very meger.
There is no air link facility nor
helicopter service available to the
people. 23% population in Poonch-
Rajouri districts is still without portable
water supply, 78% population is without
household latrines. 63% families are
residing in Kachha house while 37% are
residing in one room Kachha house
accommodation. 47% population is still
living below the poverty line. No doubt
that NREGA have been introduced but
the benefit of this scheme is not
percolating to the deserving unskilled
labourers due to various reasons
including lack of supervision.
Lack of representation.
The representation in the
Secretariat is less than 1% that to upto
non-gazetted level. No officer of
Poonch and Rajouri have ever been
elevated to the level of Chief Secretary,
DG Police, Commission Secretary. No
senior officer in the secretariat belongs
to Poonch-Rajouri region. The political
representation is also negligible. There
is no cabinet minister in the state
except one Minister of State. Therefore,
the problems and issues related to
Poonch and Rajouri districts remain
unattended. On the other hand, the
administration at Rajouri and Poonch is
dominated by the outsiders. The
outside officers prefers to stay at
Jammu and home towns. They don't
bother about the proper and systematic
development of the area and people. No
doubt that sufficient funds remains
Epilogue Ø
41 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
provided under district plan but these
funds have not been utilized properly at
gross root level and the benefits of the
schemes, works and programmes could
not percolated in absence of
dedications and sincerity. Same is the
conditions of central sponsored
schemes which have been misutilized
due to lack of transparency and
accountability. The general tendency of
the out side officers is to keep the
works, schemes and projects spill over
and lingering on and in this process the
possibility of misutilization of funds
increased. Keeping in view this scenario
once a sincere District Development
Commissioner posted in this region had
defined Poonch-Rajouri districts as a
black hole. Whatsoever we through in
this hole we could not get back. This is
all due to lack of monitoring and proper
supervision. The outsider officers likes
to stay in their houses while the
subordinate staffs get the schemes,
works and programmes implemented as
per their will. There is not
accountability at gross root level.
Minorities problem
The minorities of twin districts of
Poonch and Rajouri are also facing
unique type of problems. Especially in
Poonch district, the minority people
have never been made a part of political
setup at state, district, block and
panchayat level by the any party.
Therefore their economic conditions
remain unattended. They had also
suffered a lot due to militancy scenario
and border problem. They were existing
in 43 villages at the time of partition but
now their existence is only in 09
villages. They have either migrated to
abroad or shifted to Poonch town where
they are facing accommodation and
unemployment problem. There are
about 2200 refugee families inhabiting
in Poonch town. They have not been the

right of ownership on the land allotted
to them. Therefore the minority
population also wants change on the
patterns of autonomous councils of Leh
and Kargil where the minorities are
having reservations and sufficient
avenues for their overall development.
Need for Autonomous Councils.
The above said scenario,
constrains and indicators reveals the
reasons for economic backwardness and
worst type of developmental scenario
of Poonch-Rajouri districts due to which
these districts could not progress as
compared to the other districts of the
Jammu province. On the other hand,
the people of Poonch-Rajouri remain
waiting for the justice from the
leadership of Jammu province. It is
unfortunate that the Jammu leadership
always remain confined to the problems
of Jammu and surrounding districts and
they have never paid any attention to
address the genuine grievances of the
people of Poonch-Rajouri districts.
Therefore, there is a frustration and
dissatisfaction among the public about
the economic backwardness, poverty,
unemployment and under developed
areas of these districts. The people
have started thinking that their urges
and aspirations could not been
accommodated in this type of scenario
and administrative setup. They want
autonomous council for Poonch and
Rajouri districts so that they themselves
could formulate the plans and
implement the schemes with the
involvement of the people. The
autonomous council at district level
with executive revenue and financial
power on the pattern of Leh and Kargil
could deliver goods for Poonch and
Rajouri districts also. These
autonomous councils for Poonch and
Rajouri districts may comprise of Chief
Executive Councilor with a status of
Cabinet Minister, 05 Executive
Councilors with a status of Minister of
State and 40 councilors apart from 05
seats reserved for minorities and 05
seats for scheduled tribe population.
The autonomous council may
formulate the developmental plan at
gross root level with the involvement of
local councilors, panchayat members
and ultimate beneficiaries. The
councilors may have at least Rs. 10 lacs
as discretionary funds at their disposals
for urgent needs of the community
The problems and issues
related to Poonch and
Rajouri districts remain
unattended. On the other
hand, the administration at
Rajouri and Poonch is
dominated by the outsiders.
The outside officers prefers
to stay at Jammu and home
towns. They don't bother
about the proper and
systematic development of
the area and people.
while the panchayats may also have
Rs. 5 lacs at their disposals for the
construction of civics amenities. The
executive councilors may be made
responsible for supervising and
monitoring of various sectors. The
identification of works, programmes
and schemes must be done through the
panchayat members and councilors.
The chief executive councilor may have
the power to write the APRs of the
officers so that the officers could work
as per the norms and the wishes of the
people. The chief executive councilor
may also be empowered to revoke
Epilogue Ø
42 ×
October 2009
IN FOCUS
Jammu as it is!
corrupt, lazy and inefficient officer to
improve the work standard in the area.
There may be a provision of
employment of non-gazetted officers,
officials through the council and council
may have the power to transfer the
officials within the districts to overall
the administration. By this way, the
local unemployment problem can also
be over come. The power of sanctioning
the works and administrative approvals
may also be interested to the chief
executive councilor so that the delay in
starts of works could be avoided. With
these measures, the autonomy concept
or self-rule at district level shall be
strengthened. The financial, executive
and revenue powers shall be
decentralized, the grievances of the
people shall be reduces, the works shall
be accelerated. However, the council
may be the answerable to the state
government and the people. The
council may also be made responsible
about the schemes in respect of state
sector and the big works may be got
routed through the council. By this way,
the proper share of developmental
funds shall be provided to the
autonomous councils of Rajouri and
Poonch and the proper utilization of
funds for the genuine and need-based
works shall be ensured apart from
systematic distribution of funds to the
level of villages, panchayats and block
level. In this manner, the common
people of Poonch-Rajouri districts can
be uplifted and their cultural, social and
economic aspirations could be fulfilled.
The distinct identity of these twin
districts can also be survived within the
ambit of J&K state and Jammu
province. The urges of the people of
these remote and border districts shall
be fulfilled and the people shall get the
benefit of the developmental process,
which have been started by the state
and central government for the
upliftment of the people.
 C O L UMN
History

Jammu Hills: The Historical

Abode of Multi-Culturalism

With the formation of the Jammu and Kashmir state by the Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1846, the processes of
multi-culturalism were intensified. The Maharajas from Gulab Singh to Maharaja Hari Singh worked very
sincerely to facilitate the cultural exchanges among Jammu, Kashmr and Ladakh. Since Persian was one of
the popular languages in terms of literary and administrative activities before the formation of Jammu and
Kashmir state, Maharaja Gulab Singh gave due space to it in the state. Similarly, the Mahrarajas developed
the modern means of transport and communications to strengthen cultural contacts among Jammu,
Kashmir and Ladakh. They never united people of one cultural identity as a rival of the others

T he cultural diversity at regional the historical truth. Similarly,

level has been universal the concepts of the
phenomena throughout the dominance and multi-
ages. The historical developments in culturism also exist in all
the world from ancient to modern societies throughout the
periods show that both the concepts historical periods.
of cooperation and conflicts The modern
existed and exist in Jammu region has
a society of welcomed the
diverse persons of the
culture. Not diverse cultures
a single from ancient
region of period
the world is onwards.
homogenous It is well
in terms of establish
cultural ed that
identity and the Jammu is
concept of the part of the
cultural Harrapan
uniformity is civilizat
anti- ion,
nature the
and first
PROF JIGAR MOHAMMED anti- civiliz
Author is Professor of History at University historical ation
of Jammu. He is associated with Epilogue of the
development. The
as editorial Advisor on History of Jammu
and Kashmir. He can be reached at rise, expansion and Indian sub-
jigar.mohammed@epilogue.in decline of the civilisations are continent. From

Epilogue Ø
43 ×
October 2009

tribalism to the formation of state in
Jammu hills, the processes of the inter-
faith dialogue and inclusive
development dominantly engaged the
people in the socio-political and
economic activities.
It is known that the Jammu hills
were inhabited by the various tribes
during the ancient and medieval periods
and transhumance contributed in a
significant way to the economic
development in the hills. The pastoral
nomadism was a free practice and its
nature was to be decided by the tribes
concerned. It is well established that
the tribes such as the Darva, Abhisaras,
Khasas, Nagas, Gujjars and Gaddis etc.
were very active in the Jammu hills.
Even some of the foreign tribes also
came and settled in the Jammu hills.
The archaeological exploration exhibits
the presence of the Kushan sites in
Jammu. These tribes of Jammu lived
and worked in accordance with their
tribal customs, tradition and beliefs.
The concept of social hierarchy was not
the source of the distribution of the
socio-economic rights. They used their
tribal identities with pride. Kalhan's
Rajtarangini records some of these
tribes with their sense of exercising
their rights freely and not accepting
dominance of other. The Darva and
Abhisaras tribes are understood to have
exercising and enjoying considerable
socio-political power in the Jammu hills
during the ancient period. Similarly, the
Khasa tribe also acquired political
prominence in the hills. The
Rajatarangini mention the Khasas as
the rulers of Rajapuri or Rajouri. It is
understood that the Lohara state of
Parnotsa of Punch was founded by a
Khasa chief known as Nara. The
Khokhars acquired political power in
some Jammu hills during the 14th
century. These tribes followed the
concept of the common ancestory. The
concept of warriorship was based on
acquisition of the armed power, not on
the birth. The use of better armed
The rulers of Jammu hill
states followed the concept
of inclusion in terms of
their attitude towards
different religious
identities. Though the
Hindus have been in
majority in most of the hill
states of Jammu, the
concept of majoritarianism
was never practised by the
ruling classes of Jammu.
Inclusiveness had been core
of the religious policies of
the ruling classes of Jammu
hills. The rulers of Jammu
along with their own
religious practices respected
the sentiments of the
Muslims equally. It is well
established fact that a large
number of the Sufi saints
came to Jammu from Iraq,
Iran and Central Asia
during the period from 13th
th
to 19 century
power was the source of the acquisition
of political authority. All the tribes were
free to exhibit their warrior
capabilities. There was no concept of
getting legitimacy of their power from
any particular social group expert in the
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October 2009
C O L UMN
History
rituals.
With establishment of the
despotism, the concept of equality in
terms of socio-political rights was
redefined. It is an established fact that
Jammu hills were divided into several
principalities during the medieval
period. Jammu, Akhnur, Rajouri, Punch,
Bhimbhar, Cheneni, Mankot, Bhadu,
Bilawar and Kishtwar etc. were the
important states in terms of territory.
All of these states were ruled by the
Rajputs. Though the Dev or Manhas
dynasty of Jammu was most powerful
ruling dynasty of the hills in terms of its
military strength, rulers of other states
never compromised with their
independent political authority. Most of
these states worked collectively for the
retention of their sovereignty against
the external forces. It is known that in
1588-89 Raja Parasram of Jammu, Raja
Pratap of Mankot, Rai Krishan Baloria of
Bilawar, Raja Bhabu of Jasrota and Raja
Balibhadra of Lakhanpur along with the
rulers of Kangra hills challanged the
Mughal forces. Though they were not
successful against the Mughals, their
combined efforts show that they
respected the sovereignty of their
neighbouring states and followed the
concept of equality in the exercise of
political authority. Moreover, the kings
of Jammu hills were very much
conscious of their dignity and cultural
identity. Mughal emperor Jahangir was
very much impressed with dignified
manners of Raja Kunwar Singh of
Kishtwar and his faith in multi-
culturalism. Commenting on life style of
Raja Kunwar Singh Jahangir writes: “He
(the Raja) is not wanting in dignity. His
dress is after the Indian fashion, and he
knows both the Hindi and Kashmiri
languages.” It is important to mention
that Raja Kunwar Singh's knowledge of

both the Hindi and Kashmiri languages
attests the propagation of the concept
of the pluralism by the ruling class of
Jammu. He treated both the Hindi and
Kashmiri language on par and
established that his state was meant for
the flourishment of various cultural
trends.
The Rajput rulers of Jammu hills
respected the sentiments of the people
of diverse social background of their
state and also welcomed the arrival of
new social trends from outside. It is well
established fact that the majority of the
Rajput rulers of Jammu hills belonged
to the Hindu community and the Rajput
rulers of Rajouri, Punch and Kishtwar
accepted Islam during the medieval
period. But they did not make their
personal religious background as the
basis of the policy formulation process.
The Dev rulers of Jammu state had
mostly friendly relations with the
Sultans of Delhi. It is known that when
t h e Tu r k i s h r u l e r S h i h a b u d d i n
Muhammad Ghori attacked some parts
of the Punjab and won them, the Bijay
Dev (1164-1215) welcomed the arrival
of Muhammad Ghori in Lahore. He sent
his son and one noble to establish a bond
of friendship with Muhammad Ghori.
The latter was very much impressed
from the political attitude of the king of
Jammu and Muhammad Ghori
reciprocated it lavishly. He honoured
the King of Jammu with khilat and
assigned the Sialkot to him in lieu of his
services. Raja Mal Dev (1361-1400)
maintained good relations with the
Tughluq Sultan of Delhi. Similarly, the
Raja of Jammu acted as an ally of the
Sultan Mubarak Shah of Sayyid dynasty
against the Khokhars during the 15th
century. During the 16th and 17th
centuries the Rajput rulers of Jammu
hills established a coalition with the
Mughals. Raja Ghoghar Dev of Jammu
had very good relations with Sikander
Lodi (1489-1517), the Sultan of Delhi.
He sent his son Alam Dev to join the
services of Sikandar Lodi. The latter was
very much impressed from the services
of Alam Dev and honoured him with the
The Rajput rulers of
Jammu hills respected the
sentiments of the people of
diverse social background of
their state and also
welcomed the arrival of
new social trends from
outside. It is well
established fact that the
majority of the Rajput
rulers of Jammu hills
belonged to the Hindu
community and the Rajput
rulers of Rajouri, Punch
and Kishtwar accepted
Islam during the medieval
period. But they did not
make their personal
religious background as the
basis of the policy
formulation process
title of Isa Khan. It is said that the
relations of Alam Dev started to be
called 'Isa Khania Rajputs'. When
Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur (1526-30)
established Mughal rule in the north
India, Raja Ghoghar Dev (1500-30) of
Jammu went to Delhi and paid his
allegiance to the Mughal emperor.
Babur recognised him as an important
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October 2009
C O L UMN
History
ally of the Mughal empire and accepted
him as a powerful king of the Jammu
hills.
The Mughal emperor Jalaluddin
Muhammad Akbar (1556-1605) started
the process of making the Rajput rulers
of India as the partners of the Mughal
empire. His policy was well responded
by the Rajput rulers of Jammu hills.
They not only retained their
autonomous political status intact ,
more importantly they also helped the
Mughals against the anti-empire forces.
They joined the Mughal services and
worked in various parts of Mughal India
as the commaders of the Mughal army.
Raja Parasram Dev of Bahu not only
accepted the sovereignty of the Mughal
emperor Akbar, but he also provided
military support to the Mughals for their
territorial expansion. Raja Sangram Dev
(1594-1626) rendered valuable service
for the the Mughal emperor Jahangir. He
also extended huge support to Jahangir
in the establishment of the Mughal
sovereignty in Kishtwar and suppression
of anti-Mughal activities in Kashmir.
Raja Hari Dev (1656-92) was a friend of
the Mughal emperor Mohiuddin
Muhammad Aurnagzeb Alamgir (1658-
1707) and served the Mughals very
effectively. He fought wars in Deccan as
a Mughal commander. The political
alliance between the Rajput rulers of
Jammu and the Mughals brought huge
dividends to both of them. After joining
the Mughal services, the rulers of
Jammu got opportunity to work in
different parts of India. Thus their
political role and status were widened
and enhanced. Similarly, the Mughals
were benefited in maintaining law and
order in the Punjab hill states and
Kashmir with the support ot the rulers
of Jammu. These developments show
that the ruling classes of Jammu hill

states welcomed both the indigenous
and other political trends.
The rulers of Jammu hill states
followed the concept of inclusion in
terms of their attitude towards
different religious identities. Though
the Hindus have been in majority in
most of the hill states of Jammu, the
concept of majoritarianism was never
practised by the ruling classes of
Jammu. Inclusiveness had been core of
the religious policies of the ruling
classes of Jammu hills. The rulers of
Jammu along with their own religious
practices respected the sentiments of
the Muslims equally. It is well
established fact that a large number of
the Sufi saints came to Jammu from
Iraq, Iran and Central Asia during the
period from 13th to 19th century. The
Sufis such as Peer Roshan Shah Wali, Pir
Lakhdatta, Baba Budhan Shah , Pir
Mitha, Pir Zahiri Wali Shah, Pir Shahan
Shah Wali, Pir Muhabbat Ali Shah, Baba
Sher Khan Pathan, also known as Sanjha
Pir, Faqir Baba Faiz Bakhsh Shah
Bukhari, Qutub Zaman Hazrat Baba
Jiwan Shah, Panch Pir, Rah Baba and
Baba Barkat Ali Shah etc came to Jammu
and settled in the different areas such
Jammu proper, Satwari, Akhnur,
Kunjwani and Rihari. Shaikh Farid-ud-
din Qadri, Hazrat Muhammad Asrar-ud-
din, Hazrat Muahmmad Akhyar-ud-din,
Shaikh Zain Alla Din, Baba Latif-ud-din
Rishi and Zain-ud-din Rishi settled in
Kishtwar. Baba Pir Shah Tode settled at
Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir
state. Mustafa or Nua Baba, Pir Baba
Karam Shah, Hazrat Nadir Ali Shah
Baghdadi, Pir Wali Shah settled in the
different parts of modern Udhampur
district. Pir Sayyid Ghulam Shah
Badshah settled at Shahdara Sharif of
the modern Rajouri district. Similarly,
Baba Sain Lal Din settled in Rajouri.
Hazrat Nadir Ali Shah Baghdadi settled
at Ram Nagar of Udhampur district. Pir
Lakhdatta founded his residence at
Banni (in Tahsil Basoli, district Kathua).
Alla pir settled at Punch. Hazrat Kasim
Shah and Hazrat Haji Muhammad Akram
Mughal emperor Jahangir
was very much impressed
with dignified manners of
Raja Kunwar Singh of
Kishtwar and his faith in
multi-culturalism.
Commenting on life style of
Raja Kunwar Singh
Jahangir writes: “He (the
Raja) is not wanting in
dignity. His dress is after
the Indian fashion, and he
knows both the Hindi and
Kashmiri languages.” It is
important to mention that
Raja Kunwar Singh's
knowledge of both the
Hindi and Kashmiri
languages attests the
propagation of the concept
of the pluralism by the
ruling class of Jammu
settled at Dera Mehta in Doda district
and Doda proper respectively. Panch Pir
settled at Jammu, Basoli, Rajouri,
Purmandal and Ramnagar. Hazrat
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani settled in
Punch. Several other shrines of the sufi
saints exist in Punch, Rajouri, Doda,
Udhampur and Jammu districts. All
these Sufis received huge social support
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October 2009
C O L UMN
History
and propagated their teachings in the
Jammu hills. The Maharajas of Jammu
from Maharaja Gulab Singh onwards
worked for the preservation of these
shrines. It is known that Gulab Singh, as
a jagirdar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,
requested the Maharaja for the grant of
land to the shrine of Shah Ghulam
Badshah, situated in Rajouri district.
Maharaja accepted the request and
granted land for the expenses of the
shrine. Similarly, Maharaja Gulab Singh
granted fifty Kanal lands to the shrine of
Pir Wali Shah at Katra in Udhampur
district. Both Maharaja Ranbir Singh
(1857-85) and Maharaja Pratap Singh
extended financial support and
renovated a number of the sufi shrines
of Jammu hills. More importantly, Jai
Singh, the king of Kishtwar, accepted
Islam under the influence of Sayyid
Farid-ud-din Qadiri during the 17th
century and received the title of
Bakhtiyar Khan. Baba Jiwan Shah was
very much respected by the Maharaja
Pratap Singh (1885-1925) and his
brother Amar Singh. It is known that
Maharaja Pratap Singh extended
financial support to Baba Jiwan Shah
both in cash (wazifa) and kind to meet
the expenses of his mystic activities.
The Maharaja loved to meet the Baba.
Therefore, he frequently invited the
Baba to his palace. Maharaja is said to
have presented a hukka and a dhoosa
to the Baba during his visit to the
palace.
Since these Sufis propagated and
practised the concept of the Unity of
Being (Wahadat-ul-wajud), persons of
the different social backgrounds their
followers. More importantly, after the
death of these Sufis their shrines
started to be worshipped. People's visit
to the sufi shrines on every Thursday in a
week has become a popular custom in

the Jammu hills. Thus from medieval
period onwards sufism has become an
integral part of Jammu hills and along
with other faiths it is working for social
developments. The non-Muslims of
Jammu respect the sufi shrines as one of
their religious identities. On each
Thursday these shrines are studed with
the persons of diverse religious beliefs.
Both the societies and states of
Jammu hills accepted the presence of
the multiple identities as source of the
multi-dimensional development in the
region and this has become unending
trend. The historical changes in the
hills show that socio-political and
economic partnership has been the
dominant feature of the cultural
development in the Jammu hills. It is
important to mention that almost all
parts of north India faced except
Jammu faced economic crisis because
of the foreign invasions of Nadir Shah
of Iran and Ahmad Shah Abdali of
Afghanistan and agrarian crisis. But
Jammu hills not only maintained the
processes of development, but also
became centres of employment
generation for the people of the
neighbouring states. George Forster,
an English traveller and civil servant of
the 18th century, visited Jammu and
incorporated his findings pertaining to
Jammu's political and social life in his
account entitled Journey from Bengal
to England. His findings shows that
justice and economic prosperity were
th
the major trends of the 18 century.
According to him Raja Ranjit Dev
(1733-82) was a just and wise ruler. He
welcomed the Kashmiri merchants
belonging to Muslim community to
Jammu for trade and commerce
purposes. These merchants
contributed very much to the
economic prosperity of Jammu. Raja
Rajit Dev not only encouraged the
Kashmiri merchants in economic
terms, but more importantly he also
established a residential colony for
them, known as Mughalpur and
constructed a mosque there so that
Kashmiri merchants could offer prayer
comfortably. George Forster also
reports that Raja Ranjit Dev always
tried to acquire the confidence and
esteem of the Kashmiri merchants. He
respected the Muslim prayer very
much. Whenever he was going
somewhere and heard prayer call of
the Muslims he stopped his horse and
did not proceed till the prayer call was
over. He never entertained the
fanatics and intolerant elements.
According to Forster, “The Hindoos
once complained to this chief (Raja
Ranjit Dev), that the public wells of
the town were defiled by the vessels of
the Mahometans (Muslims) and desired
that they might be restricted to the
water of the river; but he (the Raja)
abruptly dismissed the complaint,
saying, that water was a pure element,
designed for the general use of
mankind, and could not be polluted by
the touch of any class of people.” (p.
247). The mention of Forster shows
that the enemies of the multi-
culturalism were not given space in
Jammu by its head of the state.
Moreover, Ranjit Dev also provided
opportunities to the merchants of
Punjab. Ganeshdas Badehra who wrote
Rajdarshani during Maharaja Gulab
Singh reign (1846-57) mention arrival
of the Punjabi merchants in Jammu in
th
the 18 century on large scale.
With the formation of the Jammu
and Kashmir state by the Maharaja
Gulab Singh in 1846, the processes of
multi-culturalism were intensified. The
Maharajas from Gulab Singh to Maharaja
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October 2009
C O L UMN
History
Hari Singh worked very sincerely to
facilitate the cultural exchanges among
Jammu, Kashmr and Ladakh. Since
Persian was one of the popular
languages in terms of literary and
administrative activities before the
formation of Jammu and Kashmir
state, Maharaja Gulab Singh gave due
space to it in the state. Similarly, The
Mahrarajas developed the modern
means of transport and
communications to strengthen
cultural contacts among Jammu,
Kashmir and Ladakh. They never
united people of one cultural identity
as a rival of the others. One one hand
they established traditional
educational institutions such as
Pathshalas, Maktab and Madrasas, on
the other they opened modern schools
and colleges. Jammu and Kashmir was
the first state where Maharaja Hari
Singh abolished the untouchablity. The
political intensity of the multi-
culturalism can be estimated from the
Maharaja Hari Singh's declaration that
the justice was his religion.
Thus historically the elements of
the multi-culturalism are founded in
larger number than the elements of
religious and regional fanaticism in
Jammu region. Some times separatist
tendencies succeed in making sensation
for short duration. But they are too
ineffective to banish the historical
trends of the multi-culturalism in
Jammu regions. Both the persons of the
tribal and urban backgrounds feel very
much comfortable to work together and
remain complementary to each other.
The religious tolerance is better
exhibited by the people than
intolerance. Jammu region's multi-
culturalism is not a forcible act of one
type of people, it a continunous process
of the historical development.
JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
A LEAF FROM HISTORY

Jammu: Where sweet is the language,

sweeter are the people

A
ccording to the most popular legend,
Jammu city was founded by Raja
Jamboolochan in 14th century BC as he
found divine power here. During one of his
hunting campaigns he reached near a river
(Tawi) where he saw a goat and a lion drinking water at the
same place. The king was impressed and decided to set up a
town after his name, Jamboo. With the passage of time the
name got corrupted and became "Jammu".
The city name figures in the ancient book Mahabharata.
Name of Jammu city is also found in the memories of Timur.
Excavation near Akhnoor provide evidences that Jammu
was a part of Harappan civiliaziation. Remains of Mauryan ,
Kushan, and Gupta periods have also been found.
Jammu had a number of tiny principalities but kingdom
of Jammu always occupied a leading place. Maldev and
Ranjit Dev were among the eminent rulers. Ranjit Dev ruled
this kingdom from 1723-1783. His successors were weak, which ultimately brought Sikh regime to Jammu. When
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was faced with a rebellion he sent Gulab Singh, a scion of Dogra family to control it. He
was a descendent of Maharaja Ranjit Dev. Displaying enviable valours, he annexed whole of Jammu region to
sikh kingdom. After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, his successors could not keep the kingdom intact and fell
pray to place intrigues, hastening its downfall. When its power was completely eroded after III war, the victorous
British India Govt. demended an indemnity of 1.50 crores. Since Sikh rulers were unable to pay this amount,
gulab Singh pays the Rs.75 lakhs and in exchange got territory of Kashmir and certain other areas under Treaty of
Amritsar on March 16, 1846. Thus Gulab Singh integrated Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions in one
administrative unit, with this the Dogra rule was established in the state.
After Gulab Singh, Maharaja Ranbir Singh became the ruler in 1857 and ruled up to 1885. On his death Partap
Singh became the ruler and presented introduced many reforms. His nephew Maharaja Hari Singh succeeded
Maharaja Partap Singh in 1925 who signed the instrument of accession on October 26, 1947 in favour of Union of
India. It was the British paramount lapsed; J and K became an integral part of India. He abdicated his
responsibilities on June 20, 1949 and made his son Dr. Karan Singh a Regent who was the last monarch.

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October 2009
JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
Symbols of Rich Heritage

river Tawi below down add to the the museum. The most spectacular
AMARMAHALMUSEUM
grandeur of the building once the possession of museum is a 120 Kg.

A mar mahal is a sight to

behold. This grand Palace reminds
residential palace of Raja Amar
Singh.
pure gold throne on which
maharaja used to sit. The throne is
Now, open to tourists, the placed in a hexagonal room with a
one of a dreamy French castle,
Amar Mahal which has been door opening towards the forest
with slopping roofs and tall
converted into a museum, houses view of Shivalik hills and deep
towers. It is a beautiful palace of
the city's finest library of antique down Tawi river. The museum
red sand stone which stands
books and paintings. An entire also has a library in which about
amidst most picturesque horizons
series of miniatures on the epic 25,000 books on various subjects
of Jammu. Beautiful green view
Nal- Damyanti can be seen there in and disciplines have been
of Shivalik hills in the North and

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October 2009
JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
preserved.

BAHU FORT

T he fort
enclosing a
palace was
originally was
originally built by
Bahu Lochan, the
ruler of the Bahu
city. Last of all it
was re-built by
Maharaja Gulab
Singh. It was
garrisoned by
Dogra army. It is
also renound for
historical temple of
Goddess Mahakali
popularly known
as ' Bawe wali
Maata'.
The famous temple of "Bawe wali maata" is inside the Bahu fort, where every Tuesday and Sunday pilgrims
throng and jostle one another to worship the Goddess. The fort is on a hilltop opposite the river Tawi. It
overlooks the river flowing placidly down the Jammu city. Seeing from top of the hill one could witness a
beautiful sunset and river Tawi changing colours. A little further away, on a hill top opposite the Bahu Fort,
is a lovely spot overlooking the river Tawi where a temple dedicated to Mahamaya has been constructed.

DOGRA ART MUSEUM

I t is currently located in the Pink Hall of Mubarak Mandi

complex. The museum houses about 800 rare and exquisite
paintings from different schools of paintings - viz. Basoli, Jammu
and Kangra.
Gold plated bow and arrow of Mughal emperor Shah Jehan and a
number of carpentry tools also make an important section of the
museum. The museum also has hand written manuscripts of
Shahnama and Sikendernama both in Persian. There is also a stone

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October 2009
JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
plate on which Takri script has
been inscribed.
MUBARAK MANDI
COMPLEX
T he oldest buildings in this
palace complex date to
1824.The architecture is blend of
Rajesthani, Mughal and Baroque
European influences. The most
Impact Feature
stunning segment is the Sheel
Mahal. This complex which is
present ly housing over 76
government offices and courts
stands as a valuable monument
associated with Dogra monarchy.
The complex has a history as old as
150 years. It was a royal residence
of Dogra rulers. The location of
these places was carefully for
having a commanding view of the
river Tawi on one side and the old
city built on the hillock, on the
other.
The complex has halls and
galleries which were used for
official functions and public
events. The palaces are built as a
group of buildings around the
courtyard. Successive Dogra
rulers kept on consolidating
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Making Historical Sense of Statues
India may learn lessons from Jammu
F
rom Uttar Pradesh to
Maharashtra as India
debates installation of
memorials, the historical town of
Jammu is all set to unveil statues of
two national political personalities
which can offer a cue to the
politicians for looking down at
history with a fresh approach. The
new statues readying up to adore
Jammu are of two political figures
literally drawn from opposite
poles, coming from different
schools of thoughts but yet having
made national contributions in
their own right. If Mayawati goes
full throttle installing her own and
Kanshi Ram statues, the
Maharashtra government draws
up a multi-million plan to create a
memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji,
the decision of installing in Jammu
Impact Feature
statues of Indira Gandhi, Jay
Prakash Narayan and Syama
Prasad Mukherjee is not expected
to have come from a single person.
Reasons are very simple. It is only
Congress that can think of Indira
Gandhi, may be a die hard socialist
to recall JP Narayan and only BJP
which could have hesitantly
decided to bring Syama Prasad
Mukherjee's statue in Jammu.
Setting a rare precedent of its
kind, the Jammu Municipal
Corporation under the
stewardship of Mayor Kavinder
Gupta has decided to,
simultaneously, set up statues of
former Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi Socialist Leader, JP
Narayan and Jana Sangh founder
Dr Syama Prashad Mukherjee.
Kavinder's idea is visionary and
far reaching. In a Corporation
strength of 72, BJP has 25 members
and Congress 27. But the political
correctness lies in honouring vivid
ideologies. “We need to bear in
mind a sense of history and not just
the political ideologies or the
electoral constituencies”, says
Kavinder Gupta while explaining
as why he mooted idea of putting
up statues of three leaders drawn
from different ideologies.
Under Kavinder Gupta's
Mayorship, Jammu Municipal
Corporation appears to have
applied a fair degree of wisdom in
honouring the personalities of
historical importance. The town
celebrated its sense of immense
pride when statues of the Dogra
rulers were unveiled by the
Mayor. “Many leaders of Jammu
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
who enjoyed key positions in the government –at
State and Center –from time to time never looked
back at the history”, says Sat Pal Sharma, an
octogenarian resident of Mohalla Paharian in old
city. A witness to the regime of Dogra rulers, Sharma
adds: “I have ideological commitments with
Congress but I wish to salute Kavinder Gupta, who is
a BJP leader, for honouring the Dogras by unveiling
statues of warriors”. Same are the views of VK Gupta,
an Engineer in Trikuta Nagar. “The younger
generation had almost lost the idea of past but
Kavinder Gupta has brought the history alive”.
To give Dogra warriors their due place in annals
of the history , the Mayor Jammu Municipal
Corporation Kavinder Gupta unveiled the Dogra
Shaurya Samarak near Vaid Mandir at Ambphalla on
February 19, 2009. The memorial was installed by
JMC in a glittering ceremony attended among others
by BJP Legislative Party leader, Prof Chaman Lal
Gupta, Commissioner JMC, Mubarak Singh, Ex
MLC, Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, VHP
leader, Dharni Dhar Sharma, president Dogra
Brahman Sabha, Dev Raj Baru, secretary BJP,
Yudhvir Sethi, Corporators of JMC and officers of the
Maharaja Hari Singh Corporation.
1895 - 1961

On February 17, 2009 the statue of last

Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir State,
Maharaja Hari Singh was unveiled at
Bahu-e-Fort Chowk by Mayor Kavinder
Gupta. This was for the first time after the
independence that the statue of Maharaja
Hari Singh was installed in the State. The
function was attended among others by
former ADC of Maharaja Hari Singh, Capt
Dewan Singh.

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Speaking on the occasion,
Kavinder Gupta said that it was
his endeavour that Dogra Shaurya
Samarak is installed in Jammu in
memory of all those Dogra
warriors who laid down their lives
since the independence movement
to present turmoil in the State. He
said though installation of the
Samarak has become a reality
today but it could have not been
possible without the efforts of the
Corporators and staff of JMC. He,
while congratulating the
Jammuites on the occasion said the
main objective of installing this
Samarak was that our progeny
should know about our heroes
who sacrificed themselves for
securing our future.
Earlier on February 17, the
statue of former ruler of Jammu
and Kashmir State, Maharaja Hari
Singh was unveiled at Bahu-e-Fort
Chowk by Kavinder Gupta. This is
for the first time after the
independence that the statue of
Maharaja Hari Singh was installed
in the State. The function was
attended by former ADC of
Maharaja Hari Singh, Capt (retd)
Dewan Singh, president Amar
Kshatriya Rajput Sabha, Narayan
Singh, president Dogra Brahman
Sabha, Dev Raj Baru, BJP national
executive member, Dr Nirmal
Singh, BJP secretary, Yudhvir
Sethi, corporators and staff
members of JMC.
Impact Feature
Jammu will soon have two
new statues –one of former
Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi and other of Jana
Sangh founder Dr Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee. When
leaders in many parts of
country are fighting
ideological battles over
statues, here is a decision
that reflects statesmanship. It
sounds strange but the fact is
that idea of both statues is
coming from a single mind
–that of JMC Mayor
Kavinder Gupta
Kavinder Gupta said that the
ancestors of Dogras have made a
lot of contribution for the State and
they deserve to be given due
respect. He also announced that
the JMC Sabha Ghar will also be
named after the great Dogra ruler
and efforts will be made to bring
out a calendar on the name of
Maharaja next year.
The JMC Mayor lauded the
role of Corporators who donated
Rs one lakh each for the
construction of the statue and he
also felicitated the Brij Paul Anand
sculptor and Executive Engineer,
JMC Piyaray Mohan on the
occasion. Kavinder Gupta has also
got another statue of Maharaja
Hari Singh at installed at Hari
Singh Bridge near Jammu Press
Club.
“Maharaja was the owner of
the State but he met injustice
through the hands of Government
of India and the Government
wanted that his name be omitted
from the history”, says Kavinder
Gupta. He said Maharaja, who
took a bold step in making
accession of J&K with India
deserves all respect.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
Capt Dewan
Singh, Narayan
Singh and Dev Raj
Baru while lauding
the JMC and its
Mayor, Kavinder
Gupta for installing
the statue of
Maharaja also high-
lighted his contribu-
tions. They, while
paying rich tributes
to Maharaja Hari
Singh recalled his ser-
vices in freedom
Movement of India.
They said Maharaja
was a great social
reformer. The
programme was com-
p e e r e d b y
Corporator Pawan
Singh.
So, have the
Jammu Municipal
Corporation over-
looked Sheikh
M o h a m m a d
Abdullah? Not really.
“From Universities to
Bridges, many things
are named after
Sheikh Saheb”, says
Kavinder as he adds,
“Sheikh and
Maharaja have their
own places in history
and none can be over-
looked”.

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
JMC
As It Is

E lections to
the Jammu
Munici-pal
Corporation were
held in January 2005
after a gap of nearly
a quarter century.
The Municipality of
State of Jammu and
Kashmir was estab-
lished after the
reforms under taken
by Lord Rippan in
the first quarter of
19th Century. The
development of
Modern Municipal
Committees of the
State was initiated
by First Municipal
Act of 1886 A.D. fol-
lowed by amended
act of 1889. Under
this Act two
Municipalities of
Census: Jammu Urban J a m m u a n d
1981 : 334580 Srinagar were estab-
1991 : 492569 lished for the first
2001 : 698725 time.
2011 : 1067581 J a m m u
2021 : 1571693 Municipality was
first constituted in

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Phagun 1942 Bk(March 1886 A.D.).
In 1893 A.D a separate department
known as Municipal
Administration and Jails was
setup The Provision of elective ele-
ment in the Municipalities was
introduced in the Year 1930. this
was done with the enactment of
Jammu and Kashmir regulation
1913.
Next step towards the devel-
opment of Municipality in the
state was the passage of J & K
Municipal Act 1941. A new regula-
tion placed the Municipalities
under the charge of Minister and
they are provided with paid
President and other staff like
Impact Feature
For an adequate civic programme Jammu Municipal
Corporation is bound to undertake following services based on
ascertained needs:
Ø Public health
Ø Public Works Service
Ø Public Safety Service
Ø City Planning
Ø Public Utilities
Ø Parks and Green Patches
Ø Erecting remunerative assets
Ø Public charities to help destitute and other philanthropic
NGO's
Ø Slum improvement schemes
Ø Maternity and infant welfare schemes
Ø Maintenance of vital statistics
Ø Eradicating menace of stray cattle
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Secretary, Health Officer, Revenue
Officer etc.
In the 51st year of Republic of
India the State Legislature passed
the J & K Municipal Corporation
Act 2000 for the capital cities of
Jammu and Srinagar which got the
Status of Jammu Municipal
Corporation vide SRO 46 dated
18/2/2003. Subsequently the lim-
its of Jammu Municipal
Corporation was extended from 32
sq. km to 112 sq. km vide SRO 291
dated 5/9/2003.
The Old City comprising of 23
wards, was divided into 48 wards
and 23 new wards were added
thus raising the total number of
wards 71, with the upgradation to
the Status of Jammu Municipal
Corporation the city has been
Mayor Kavinder Gupta and
Commissioner Mubarak Singh
during a meeting.
Impact Feature
KEY PROJECTS UNDERWAY
Rehabilitation of slum Dwellers of Rajiv Nagar at Sunjwan
(608 units)
PROJECT COST: 14.24 crores A chunk of 100 kanal state land
at Sunjwan has been earmarked for JMC Possession being
taken and remaining blocks, being started shortly
STATUS: Approved work under execution for 208 units at
Sunjwan.
Works in progress (13 blocks in progress) Amount of Rs. 2.37
lacs has been released and spent
Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers of Bhagwati Nagar Kushat
Ashram (86 Units)
PROJECT COST: 1.43 Crores
STATUS: Approved Work allotted
Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers at various location of
Jammu City. 811 units in Situ locations, covering 21
clusters
PROJECT COST: 33.41 Crores
STATUS: Approved Biometric Survey has been done by JC
(A), JMC.
Sewerage System for Jammu City
PROJECT COST: Rs 129 Crores
STATUS: Under execution by UEED
PROJECTS IN PIPELINE
Construction and upgradation of lanes and drains in
Municipal area under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission
PROJECT COST: 213.00 Crores
Provision of of social amenities Burial grounds,
crematorium, Cremation grounds cemeteries
PROJECT COST: Rs 6.29 Crores
Integrated Low Cost sanitation scheme
PROJECT COST: 23.24 Crores
Affordable Housing in Partnership 800 units for LIG/EWS
PROJECT COST: 36.00 Crores
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
divided into 71 wards. Duly
elected Jammu Municipal Council
was superseded by the
Government in 1960, 1975 and
lastly 1983.
Since Independence the
Elections of Jammu Municipality
have taken place four times only
i.e., 1956, 1972, 1980 and 2005.
The 2005 elections were hotly
contested but they threw a hung
house with no party getting a clear
majority. In the House of 71, the
Congress bagged 27 seats fol-
lowed by BJP which got 25 seats.
National Conference won six
seats, the Peoples Democratic
Party two, Shiv Sena and Bahujan
Samaj Party one each while nine
seats went to the independents.
Prominent winners were Rani
Gargi Bloeria, Manmohan
Choudhary, Manmohan Singh
Pinka and Tilak Raj Gupta of
Congress, Kavinder Gupta, Sat Pal
Grover, Suresh Jamwal, Arun
Khanna and Usha Choudhary of
BJP, Sanjay Mahay of Shiv Sena,
Surinder Singh Shingari and
Dharamvir Singh Jamwal of
National Conference, Bansi Lal
Gupta and Parveen Gupta inde-
pendents.
The BJP won seven out of 11
seats in City East while the
Congress could secure only one
seat. In Jammu West, BJP bagged
13 out of a total of 26 seats while
the Congress could get only seven
Impact Feature
PROJECTS UNDER SELF-FINANCE SCHEME
Construction of Commercial Complex at Narwal over a piece of
land measuring 5 kanals has been prepared. The cost of the
project shall be met out through self financing basis/Own
resources. The approximate cost of the Project shall be 17 Crores
and likely return from the project is expected to 23 crores.
Construction of multi-storey flats (Group housing scheme under
affordable housing scheme) in partnership under JNNURM at
Chatha over a chunk of land in 58 kanals has been prepared. The
cost of the project is Rs. 36.00 Crores and the funds utilized shall
be received 25% of the cost of the total project from Government
of India and rest of the 75% shall be received from the
beneficiaries.
Solid Waste Management Project: JMC is seriously
contemplating the futuristic proposal for a project of Solid Waste
Management at Kot Bhalwal. A chunk of 165 kanals have already
been earmarked for the purpose.
Parking Lots are coming up at: Parade near Police Control Room;
Sabzi Mandi Parade Ground; Behind Police Station Nowabad
(Jewel Chowk); Shopping Complex at Municipal Market at
Maharaja Gulab Singh Marg.
SOME INITIATIVES & ACHIEVEMENTS
Building Permission Cases:
The meetings of building operation controlling authority are
being conducted after every 10 days. The government agencies
have also been approached for paying building fee in respect of
various projects.
Year 2008-09
Total Cases Cleared -825
Revenue Collected -Rs. 218.50 lacs
Year 2009-10 (April to August 2009)
Total Cases Cleared -1242
Revenue Collected -Rs. 263.54 lacs
Sanitation Drive:
A drive has been launched to keep the city neat and clean. The
deep drains and nallahs has been cleared so as to avoid flood like
situation during rainy season on regular basis.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
seats. The Congress recorded
impressive performance in
Gandhi Nagar segment winning
14 out of total 24 seats. The BJP
could get only 3 seats. The maxi-
mum number of independents
also came from Gandhi Nagar con-
stituency. In parts of Raipur-
Domana assembly segment com-
prising nine wards, BJP secured
four seats while Congress and
National Conference bagged two
seats each. One independent
emerged victorious.
BJP candidate Ashok Singh
Manhas recorded the highest vic-
tory margin of 2072 from Ward
No. 61. All his rivals forfeited their
deposits. Congress candidate
Namrata Sharma won by the low-
est margin of four votes in Ward
No. 70 over her nearest BJP rival
Kamlesh Jasrotia. PDP opened its
account winning two seats from
the City in Ward No. 2 (City East)
and Ward No. 16 (City West). The
winners were Zaffar Javed Khan
and Kalpana Kathyal. They, how-
ever, later joined the J&K
Democratic Party of Ghulam
Hassan Mir whom they owed their
allegiance to.
The NC candidates emerged
victorious in Ward Nos. 4 and 6
(City East) and Ward No. 27 (City
West) besides Ward Nos. 32, 59
and 62. BSP opened its account in
Ward No. 40 (Jammu West) which
was won by its candidate Chaman
Lal by a margin of 186 votes.
Impact Feature
Year 2008-09
Clearing of Septic Tank
Number 283 Revenue Collected Rs. 2,85,159/-
Water Supply
Number 92 Revenue Collected Rs. 36,900/-
Year 2009-10 (April 09 to August 09)
Cleaning of Septic tank
Number 224 Revenue Collected Rs. 2,32,300/-
Water Supply
Number 75 Revenue Collected Rs. 30,100/
TOTAL = RS. 5,84,459/-
PLANTATION DRIVE
Can you imagine that no civic authority in Jammu ever undertook
any plantation drive in the City. The silver lining was, however, seen
only after the present Municipal Corporation under the guidance of
Mayor Kavinder Gupta undertook this important task. In the
monsoon earlier this year, as many as 50,000 saplings were planted at
different places in city.
“The plantation drive was launched by the corporation for the first
time”, said Mayor Kavinder Gupta. He said that the JMC carried out
plantation drive in a systematic way, in which a record maintained
was initiated that includes the mortality, survival rate of plants and
the number of saplings planted.
“The areas were identified for the drive keeping in mind the
urgencies to cope up with rising level of pollution in the city”, said
MC Commissioner Mubarak Singh. The public places initially
covered under the drive include municipal parks, cremation grounds,
open spaces, road dividers, schools and various localities. The
plantation was conducted with the assistance of the social forestry
and urban forestry departments. NGOs were also involved.
“We are trying to motivate principals to help us in the drive by
allowing us to plant trees and saplings in schools. They can help us
generate awareness among the masses about the benefits of
plantation. They can also help us make the drive successful in
localities adjacent to the schools”, said Mubarak Singh. The aim of
the drive was to make Jammu green and clean and to maintain the
ecological balance.
Saplings of ornamental plants were planted in the municipal parks,
shady trees at public places and trees and plants which did not require
much care were planted at idle and open spaces.
Anmol Rattan, a resident of Manhorma Vihar, said: “This will be a
big effort of the corporation which can prove beneficial for the city”.
Shavinder Saroach, a resident of Janipur, said: “The Jammu
Municipal Corporation should have started the drive earlier. Now,
the corporation has taken the right step and I hope it will continue the
drive in future also”.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
PFA DRIVES
A regular drive is being carried on for ensuring the sale of wholesome milk, milk products, meat and other
eatable items. The teams are being deputed on daily basis.

DOOR TO COLLECTION OF GARBAGE

The enhance the cleanliness and also have active participation of general public, the scheme for collection
of garbage from door to door along with sanitation charge @ Rs. 50/- per month per household has been
started in 7 wards with two wards of Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, two wards of Trikuta Nagar, Channi
Himmat and Sainik Colony. The scheme shall also be extended to other wards of City. The scheme, when
fully implemented shall generate approximately an amount of Rs. 10.00 Cr. Annually. An amount of Rs.
3.85 lacs have been collected from Door to Door during the month of July and August 2009.
Helpline:
Helpline Numbers opened by JMC for registering complaints and there by redressing the grievances of
the masses. It has also helped the Jammu Municipal Corporation to control the unauthorized
constructions. The service provided by the Corporation through Helpline is available for all days of the
week between 8.00 A.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Ban on Polythene use :

The Jammu Municipal Corporation has implemented the Non-Bio-degradable Material (management
Handling and Disposal) Act 2007 regarding the Ban on Polythene use whose notification issued vide SRO
No. 122 dated 10.05.2009. The Corporation has almost eliminated the use of polythene within the
Municipal limits and to make it 100% free from polythene use, a drive is being carried out on regular basis
to keep check on the use of polythene.

Sources of Revenue to JMU

BUILSING PERMISSION FEES:
The processing of granting Building Permission has been expedited for Revenue Realization. The present
fee structure is as under :
o Residential = Rs. 3 per Sft. o Commercial Fee = Rs. 25 per Sft. o Penalty = Rs. 100 per Sft.

SANITATION FEES:
JMC has started collection of Sanitation fee @ Rs. 50 per house hold month in selected areas on pilot basis
which will be extended to the whole of the corporation in phased manner and it is expected that the
corporation will be able to collect Rs. 10 crore per annum as there are about 2 lakh houses in the City.
TRADE TAX:
JMC has started collecting Trade Tax recently on 58 items as per the Government Notification dated 21
June 1991 and Vide Government Gazette Notification No. 13 dated 13 June 1996. An amount of Rs. 1.00
crore approximately is expected annually for Trade Tax. An amount of Rs. 2.50 lacs has been collected
during the month of July & August 2009.
SPACE SELLING:
The JMC recently allotted contract, by way of open tenders, to nationally reputed outdoor advertisement
agency to generate revenue of more than Rs 9 Crores in a period of five years

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
HOME TRUTHS

City's Most
Acceptable
Guardian
T
here are awards to be won for
spotting a third-time Mayor in
India. Travel across the length
and breadth of country and you will not
find a leader to have become Mayor of
any Civic Corporation thrice in five year-
term of the highly significant urban
institution of local governance. The only
known example one finds of a Mayor
being elected thrice anywhere in the
world is the famous case of Stuart
Drummond, the first directly elected
Mayor of Hartlepool. When Drummond
won third Mayoral election on June 5,
2009 he caught attention of the world
media for this rare honour and was
covered by no less than Time Magazine.
Jammu too has one such story which
many did not notice in its true
perspective.
What Drummond is to the Hertlepool town
in England, Kavinder Gupta is little more to
Jammu for an interesting fact –his party BJP has
25 members against 27 of Congress, 7 of National
Conference and 12 others but still he has to his
credit the hat-trick of occupying Mayor's office
thrice. On March 5, 2005 when dynamic BJP

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
leader of high political acumen
and social repute Kavinder
Bhushan Gupta won the Mayoral
elections to head the Jammu
Municipal Corporation, he set into
motion a process that ultimately
created a history of sorts. The first
election which returned him as
Mayor was perhaps the reflection
of public trust he enjoyed for
honest political practices and
devotional approach to his social
work. It goes without saying that
subsequent two elections were an
outright endorsement stamp on
his work as City Mayor.
“Despite my party being in
the minority the first time I was
elected in 2005 a lot of people said
it was a fluke; some people said it
was a stroke of genius”, says a
humble Kavinder Gupta as he
adds: “It was a huge achievement
to be returned in 2008 with a
majority. I was very, very proud of
that but I think to be returned for a
third time tops those two times put
together”. “Being the mayor is a
massive, massive honour. It is the
best job in the world.” No other
directly elected mayor has won a
third term in office.
Kavinder Gupta was first
elected Mayor of Jammu
Municipal Corporation on March
5, 2005 when the civic elections
were held after a quarter-century
delay. The Mayoral election was a
tough exercise as none of the
parties could muster majority in a
House of 71 members in the civic
elections held shortly earlier. In
the final tally, the Congress had
Impact Feature
recorded success in 27 wards
whereas the BJP won in 25 wards,
in addition to one, won by the Shiv
Sena in alliance with the BJP.
At time when Congress and
the Peoples Democratic Party
were running an alliance
government in the state and their
combined strength in Jammu
Municipal Corporation stood at
29, but it was Kavinder Gupta, the
candidate 25-member BJP, who
had his way. Gupta elbowed out
the Congress candidate and
became the Mayor. Despite all
circumstances adverse against
him, arithmetic and political, it
was Kavinder's charisma that
worked.
The opposition may have
dubbed it as cross voting or
whatever came convenient to
them, but after two years of
uninspiring experience, the
Corporators of Jammu Municipal
Corporation had had Kavinder
Gupta back as their Mayor by way
of elections on March 5, 2008.
Kavinder got across the board
support which was evident from
the fact that he polled 37 votes
against 25 members of his party in
the civic corporation. His
Congress rival Manmohan Singh
got 34 votes. Incidentally Congress
has been the ruling party in state
from 2002 till date. “We have re-
elected Kavinder for the
exceptionally good work he did
and grace he brought to the
Mayor's office during his previous
term”, echoed many corporators
on the Election Day.
Kavinder Gupta termed it a
victory of an honest approach to
the social work and political life.
“This victory is the result of my
performance as Mayor during the
first term in 2005”, said a ebullient
Gupta. A year later, the history
was repeated third time on the
same date in 2009. Setting a rare
record of its kind, Kavinder Gupta
became Mayor of Jammu
Municipal Corporation for the
third time.
For the post of Mayor, the
contest was between BJP's
Kavinder Gupta, Congress' Rajni
Bala and Independent Corporator
Surinder Singh Shingari. The
elections for the post of Mayor
were held in two rounds as the
Municipal Corporation Act states
that in case of more than two
candidates for the post of Mayor
there should be two rounds of
election and a candidate who
secures less votes in the first round,
gets ousted from the second round
contest. The Act further states that
in case any candidate reaches the
number required to win the
elections then he should be
declared elected without going in
for second round polls.
In the first round, Kavinder
Gupta secured 24 votes, Rajni Bala
32 and Surinder Singh Shingari 14
votes. Shingari got eliminated in
the first round for securing less
votes as compared to two other
candidates. In the second round of
polling, Kavinder emerged winner
by securing 35 votes against 34 of
Rajni Bala.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature
INTERVIEW :

Making JMC Truly Democratic

Alway Topped My Agenda : Kavinder
What was the civic
profile of Jammu
City when you took
over as Mayor? And
what were the major
challenges and how
your prioritized the
actions?
In 2005 that was the
story of problems in
abundance. From civic
amenities to the city
residents to
organizational structure
of Municipal
Corporation everything
was in gross disarray.
The democratically
elected Municipal
Corporation was in
place after gap of a
quarter century but the
infrastructural and
organizational profile
was exactly the same as
it existed in early 1980s.
23 new Municipal
Wards had been added –when last elected Corporation had undergone a huge expansion
upon the re-birth of Corporation. ceased in early 1980s and new with unprecedented population
In the period of two decades took over in 2005 –Jammu City growth. In addition to the

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
phenomenal growth of city's own
population, there was addition of
lakhs of migrants from different
areas of state. But a proportionate
growth in the infrastructure and a
matching mechanism of delivery
was missing. Therefore, the
challenges of managing affairs
were enormous.
As far as prioritizing our
actions is concerned, the process
was based on the urgent needs
which people would normally
expect from the Municipal
Corporations. Scavenging was
the first major task which we took
over. That was the first change
we brought about in the city.
People got to see neat and clean
neighbourhoods, clean air to
breathe and open spaces to hang
out. Since the Corporation was
lacking in manpower, we roped
in Non-Governmental
Organisations and put a group of
25 scavengers in each ward. The
difference we were able to make
in keeping city clean was visible
in couple of months.
The next big task which we
took up was setting public toilets
at most frequented places in
different parts of the city. It does
not mean that we did all work
ourselves. The question was
about delivery and not about
how we managed things. For
raising such basic facilities we
mobilized funds from different
Impact Feature
agencies like Economic After assuming charge, we
Reconstruction Agency and started functioning in a more
engaged Non-Governmental democratic way, decentralising
Organisations like Sulabh to get our power, distributing different
the public toilets constructed. To portfolios to different members,
cater the visitors to the town, who independently discharge
particularly the pilgrims, we put their obligations relating to their
up public drinking water facility departments. Of course, they take
at different places with provision the Mayor into confidence before
of clean and hygienic water. taking any final decision. Any
These were little things but sort of decision, whether the
for lack of them people had been Mayor approves or not, is
suffering a lot. Once these discussed in regular meetings. In
facilities were put in place, this fact, there have not been
changed the urban face of the occasions to exercise the Mayor's
city. emergency powers. This is
something quite different. I
How is your way of hardly take any decision alone.
functioning different from
At the administrative level,
that of your predecessor's or we found that execution of work
the successors after first term? was being delayed because of a
The day when assumed the office of Mayor, I bore in my mind
a principle –first and foremost –that I am Mayor of Jammu
and all the people, that for me public issues are more
important than the political commitments, that for me every
Corporator is an honourable representative carrying huge
expectations which I never see through the party lens. It was
for this kind of approach than many Corporators from
Congress and other parties reposed their full faith and
confidence in me. No one can point out that I allowed any
room for any particular party politics. All Corporators got fair
deal and I got their across the board support. I have tried to
promote democracy in its true essence in the Corporation and
that paid its dividends.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Approach roads, public
toilets, water coolers,
open spaces, scavenging,
street lights, mast lights
at important city
intersections….these were
little things but for lack
of them people had been
suffering a lot. Once
these facilities were put
in place, this changed the
urban face of the city.
peculiar centralised system. We
reorganised the whole
administrative set up, delegating
powers to the borough executive
engineers, and gave them more
financial authority. We have
made the officers more
responsible and answerable.
Everything is audited regularly to
ensure that transparency is
maintained. This way, file
movement is not unnecessarily
delayed.
In a congested city like
Jammu, open space and
green patches can be seen as
anyone's desire. What did
you do in this direction?
I can say with an enormous
amount of confidence that the
present corporation and my term
Impact Feature
as Mayor shall always be
remembered in Jammu for
widening the open spaces and
adding greenery to the city of
temples. Restoration of historic
Zanana Park to its pristine glory
after more than 50 years of
blatant neglect was on our
initiative. Sometimes I get
emotionally touched by the kind
of public response on the creation
of Zana Park. You name any
ward and we will show you the
open spaces and green patches
we created. For example in
Trikuta Nagar alone we spruced
up seven parks. I would again
say that it is not necessary that
we did every work ourselves. In
fact we responded to the public
demands, took initiates and
roped in other departments, like
floriculture, to deck up parks
where we were not able to do for
the financial or manpower
constraints.
What problems did you face
and are still facing as far as
your functioning is
concerned?
The central and state
government does not take the
local bodies very seriously. They
do not realise that the maximum
pressure is on us. We are the ones
who are dealing with the
everyday problems of citizens. A
very high percentage of
population these days is
politically and socially aware. We
are the trend setters, if we are
positive towards the government;
it is benefited in the State. When
I became Mayor, there were
many irregularities that had to be
done away with. There was a
huge backlog and to make things
work in the present scenario, it is
getting increasingly difficult. We
need the government's support. I
cannot go against the government
and do my own thing.
There is a sea of things to
be done, so I cannot say
that I will be satisfied.
But what I can say is that
I will be a little happier
when, at the end of my
tenure, I will have
fulfilled the commitments
I made to the people of the
city. I have no permanent
interests in hanker on as
Mayor forever, but I am
doing and will continue
to do every possible thing
to see Jammu Municipal
Corporation becoming a
powerful institution of
local self governance. That
will give me some amount
of self satisfaction.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature

“
Any problems at the administrative level?
I am indebted to entire administration in the JMC for the support they
rendered to me and helped all the way in making my initiatives successful
but, see, there are some phenomenal problems we had to cope up with.
Can you imagine during my tenure (this is third one) I had seven
Commissioners to work with me. I owe my gratitude to each
In the present
Commissioner for their cooperation but see the level of indifference the
regime, the
government indulges in by making frequent transfers. Once a Deputy Chief
Commissioner assumes charge, he takes a couple of months in getting Minister Tara
control of things and the team is coaxed up. Next few months go in basic Chand, who is the
implementation and then there is the transfer order tumbling out of their Minister incharge
fax machines. This is ridiculous. We get the next Commissioner, we start of Housing, Urban
teaming up and in the meanwhile the government is seen readying up to Development and
repeat the same cycle. And then there is often undue interference of Municipalities has
government in our working, the Ministers do their own bit of poking thus been quite
jeopardizing the autonomous character of the Municipal Corporation. cooperative and
Barely a month after I assumed the charge of Mayor I took up these basic responsive to our
issues. Not only
issues with the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who
our issues but
appreciated my views in entirety but his follow-up action was seen
also he has a
missing. In less than ten days after Ghulam Nabi Azad took over as Chief
huge sense of
Minister in November 2006, I called on him and sought his cooperation in civic
making Jammu Municipal Corporation fully autonomous and vibrant responsibilities
but again desired results were missing. In the present regime, the Deputy and has always
Chief Minister Tara Chand, who is the Minister incharge of Housing, shown his desire
Urban Development and Municipalities has been quite cooperative and to supplement our
responsive to our issues. Not only our issues but also he has a huge sense efforts serving the
of civic responsibilities and has always shown his desire to supplement city residents to
our efforts serving the city residents to their satisfaction. However, this their satisfaction.
has to go a long way. Let's see how things shape up in future. However, this has
to go a long way.
Let's see how
things shape up in
future.

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
You are heading an elected
Corporation of 71 members.
Your party members are in
minority, and the members
of state's ruling party are in
majority. This arithmetic
gives perception of a danger
of instability always lurking
over your mind. What is the
formula of your winning
Mayoral election thrice and
then having smooth terms?
I am glad you asked me this
question. My first victory as
Mayor in 2005 was a reflection of
public trust in my honest practice
of politics and dedicated
approach to the social issues. It
was my performance as Mayor in
the first year which ensured my
two more victories later. You
asked me about the floor
arithmetic and my answer is very
simple –if you deliver your
responsibilities to the public
satisfaction then party lines and
number in the Electoral College
does not matter, it is your
performance that does. I think I
performed well and my
Corporator colleagues endorsed.
The formula of my third victory
as Mayor simply stems from the
reason that I have tried to make
every Corporator, whichever
party he comes from, to feel and
work like a Mayor of his own
Ward. People have expectations
to their elected Corporators and I
have always made efforts that
every Corporator is able to serve
his people to the full of their
Impact Feature
satisfaction and without fears of
any interference. I ensured that
no decision is taken without
consultation of the Corporators
which gave them a real sense of
empowerment and dignity. The
day when assumed the office of
Mayor, I bore in my mind a
principle –first and foremost
–that I am Mayor of Jammu and
all the people, that for me public
issues are more important than
the political commitments, that
for me every Corporator is an
honourable representative
carrying huge expectations which
I never see through the party
lens. It was for this kind of
approach than many Corporators
from Congress and other parties
reposed their full faith and
confidence in me. No one can
point out that I allowed any room
for any particular party politics.
All Corporators got fair deal and
I got their across the board
support. I have tried to promote
democracy in its true essence in
the Corporation and that paid its
dividends.
So at what point, as Mayor
of Jammu, will you be fully
satisfied with what has been
accomplished?
You see, as Mayor of a city
like Jammu, it is impossible to be
satisfied at any point of time.
There is a sea of things to be
done, so I cannot say that I will be
satisfied. But what I can say is
that I will be a little happier
when, at the end of my tenure, I
will have fulfilled the
commitments I made to the
people of the city. I have no
permanent interests in hanker on
as Mayor forever, but I am doing
and will continue to do every
possible thing to see Jammu
Municipal Corporation becoming
a powerful institution of local self
governance. That will give me
some amount of self satisfaction.
You have been a man of
organization in your party
BJP. Do you intend going in
for State and National level
politics?
Definitely yes! I am a BJP
worker and have been ever since
I came into politics. They will
decide for me. If they think I can
work for the people and my
country I will surely go ahead.
Whatever role at the state or
national level the party decides
for me I will prove my mettle and
live upto public expectations.
That is the promise.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Home to many NGOs, when
Ved Mandir Complex got road
V
ed Mandir complex near
Ambphalla is one of the
plush addresses in the
city but it did not have proper
roads till Mayor Kavinder Gupta
took over. Less than a couple of
months he assumed the office of
Mayor, Kavinder Gupta inaugu-
rated, on April 24, 2005, approach
road connecting Sri Ved Mandir
complex with the main
Amphalla.
With the construction of this
road a long pending demand of
the local people was fulfilled. The
When hope returned to a
hopeless family
F
or Rama Kumari of
Panjtirthi, nothing can
make up for the loss of her
husband Subhash Chander Raina.
But after all life needs a support
base for sustenance even after pass-
ing away of the loved ones.
Subhash lost his life in harness
while defending an anti-
encroachment drive launched by
the Jammu Municipal Corporation
in May 2008. Subhash was the only
bread earner in the family and
Rama was over-aged to have tried
for a government service.
Impact Feature
newly constructed road became all
the more important with the
increasing number of NGOs func-
tioning from Ved Mandir com-
plex. At least a dozen and half
offices of NGOs are situated in the
complex and are engaged in the
welfare activities for the society
which include Home for Aged and
Infirm, Swami Vivekananda
Medical Mission, Jai Kargil Jai
Bharat Kosh Trust, Poorav Sainik
Sewa Parisad and orphanage cen-
tre for girl child and Sewa Bharti
Jammu and Kashmir.
A day after performing last
rites of Subhash, all of sudden the
family realized that it was in a
blind array of disappointment.
However, an early morning knock
at their door proved a godsend for
the family. On the other side was
standing JMC Mayor Kavinder
Gupta with a letter of appointment
for Rama Kumari in his hand. The
over-aged Rama could not believe
having got a secure and dignified
job for having crossed over the
recruitment age deadline. But
Kavinder had the facts in his mind.
The Ved Mandir was estab-
lished in 1916 on the land gifted by
Maharaja Pratap Singh to dissemi-
nate Vedic knowledge to the peo-
ple, running an orphanage centre
as also for the Cow protection
besides undertaking other activi-
ties such as helping widows,
blinds and providing medicare
facilities to the needy and poor.
Councillors Balwan Singh, Danish
Gupta, Subash Jandial and Sat
Grover appreciated the efforts of
the Mayor in addressing this long
pending issue.
Therefore, the letter of appoint-
ment bearing number
MCJ/Estt/s/5126-29 read: "Pend-
ing relaxation of age by the compe-
tent authority, sanction is hereby
accorded to the engagement of
Smt Rama Kumari wife of late
Subash Chander Raina and resi-
dent of Panjtirthi, Jammu on con-
solidated wages of Rs 2500 per
month till further orders." Rama's
joy knew no bounds. Though for
her the loss of husband was irrepa-
rable but a safe job in hand enlight-
ened hopes for rest of life.
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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
For these 124 labourers,
Kavinder is messiah
F or more than 100 temporary
daily labourers engaged with
the Jammu Municipal Corporation
the hopes had been lost and the
level disappointment in life had
reached a point of no return. The
apprised the Mayor Kavinder
Gupta of their plight who was
quick to spot the loopholes and
brought to the employees what
was rightfully due to them but had
been blocked for years due to
bureaucratic red-tapeism. The
Mayor asked for files and followed
the process of Departmental
Promotion Committee.
On July 23, 2008, the Mayor
Kavinder Gupta handed over the
permanent orders to 124
Temporary Daily Labourers in a
function held in the premises of
the Corporation. The function was
organised by Municipal
Impact Feature
Employees Federation and
Federation of Municipal
Employees and Trade Union. The
employees and union members
not only lauded the Mayor but also
celebrated the occasion which they
described as historic for them.
Amidst shouting of slogans
and clapping, the Mayor handed
over permanent orders to 124
Temporary Daily Labourers the
decision to which was taken in the
DPC of the Corporation held after
a long gap. Besides TDL, the
Corporation, in the DPC, also con-
firmed 10 daily wagers to the post
of Junior Assistants after type test
which was also a long pending
demand.
Vijay Chandel of Municipal
Employees Federation said that
the Mayor took keen interest in con-
verting 124 Temporary Daily
Labourers to Permanent Daily
Labourers. He said that Kavinder
Gupta shall always be remem-
bered for this decision.
The Mayor assured to all the
wings of the Corporation to
redress their grievances on prior-
ity basis in near future. The
Federation of the Municipal
Employees and Trade Union also
thanked the Mayor for fulfilling
the long pending demand of the
Federation. Dev Anand Gill (chair-
man), Ravinder Sharma (presi-
dent), Raju Kumar (vice-chairman),
Attar Singh and Anoop Singh (gen-
eral secretary), Amarjeet Singh (se-
nior vice-president) and other
members of the Federation spoke
on the occasion and lauded
Kavinder Gupta's efforts

Library Chowk
comes out of darkness
L
ibrary Chowk at Kachi Chhawni is one of the most important landmarks in Jammu City. However, much
to the embarrassment and disappointment of the locals and onlookers, this important site remained in per-
petual darkness till Mayor Kavinder Gupta and local Corporator Subhash Jandial vowed to illuminate
this crossing of historical importance. On May 28, 2008, the Mayor Kavinder Gupta along with some political lead-
ers and Corporator Subhash Jandial inaugurated the high mast light at Library Chowk.
Kavinder said that Ward No 9 Corporator Subash Jandial was instrumental in getting the light installed at
this busy chowk. Prior to this two such high mast lights have been installed at Masjid Chowk and Kachi Chawni
Chowk on the initiative of the Corporator.

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
At Old Hospital Road
Relief for Shopkeepers, Shoppers
T
he popular Old Hospital
Road in the heart of city is a
hub for the shoppers but it
suffered from a long chronic prob-
lem –there was toilet in the areas.
Taking note of this serious facility
deficit, the JMC spared a piece of
land and approached the Economic
Reconstruction Agency and Sulabh
International for construction of
modern toilet complex. The Mayor
Kavinder Gupta personally super-
vised the work and toiled complex
came up in a record time. Much to
Impact Feature
the joy of both the shopkeepers
and the shoppers, the Mayor
Kavinder Gupta and Corporator
Priya Sethi inaugurated Sulabh
Toilets Complex at Old Hospital
Road on February 3, 2009.
In the inaugural ceremony,
several prominent residents and
social figures besides, members of
Bazaar Associations were present.
The complex, constructed by
Sulabh International, was funded
by Economic Reconstruction
Agency (ERA) while, the land was
provided by JMC. The complex
has separate toilets, bathrooms
and urinals for males and females.
The Mayor appreciated the
efforts of Sulabh International for
providing such facilities to the peo-
ple in the city and other parts. He
added that complex will cater to the
needs of thousands of people who
daily visit the city's busy markets.
Speaking on the occasion, the shop-
keepers said that coming up of toi-
let complex is a sign of big relief for
them and the visiting shoppers.

Finally, a lavatory Facilities in

in Ambphalla
A A
ddressing yet another long pending demand of the
people of Ambphalla –which houses a large num-
ber of offices, shops and residence besides other
complexes, the Sulabh International completed a toilet com-
plex in the locality which came up in a record time.
Constructed at the behest of Kavinder Gupta and sustained
efforts of local Corporator Balwan Singh, the Mayor inaugu-
rated, on May 25, 2009, the complex which had separate bath-
rooms, toilets and urinals for males and females. The com-
plex has distinction of having facilities for both males and
females and it will be of great service to the people visiting
the dental and psychiatric hospitals. Besides it will also cater
to the needs of the passers by. Balwan Singh assured the peo-
ple that he will continue to work with same zeal for the
development of the ward and try at his level best to make it a
model Ward of Jammu city. The simple but impressive inau-
guration function was also attended by Corporators Dinesh
Gupta and N D Rajwal besides prominent local residents.
Dream City
ddressing a long pending demand, uplift-
ing the face of Dream City Muthi, the
Jammu Municipal Corporation improved civic
facilities up laying a network of lanes and
drains. Mayor Kavinder Gupta, accompanied
by Omi Khajuria, Corporator of Ward 65, inau-
gurated the newly constructed lanes and drains
on February 19, 2006. Gupta visited round the
colony and expressed his satisfaction over the
nature of work done by the organization. He
assured the people that the Colony will be fully
developed. He said the JMC will take up the con-
struction of lanes, drains, supply of drinking
water and electricity on priority basis. In follow-
ing years the construction work was indeed
taken up by the JMC to the fully satisfaction of
the locals. The local residents including J L
Ambardar, Brij Nath Raina appreciated the
efforts of JMC, particularly the Mayor.

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Impact Feature

INTERVIEW :

Transparency is Hallmark : Suraj

Suraj Prakash
Rakhwal is an officer
of exceptional
integrity and proven
dedication to his
work. One among
the toppers in the
batch when he got
into the prestigious
Kashmir
Administrative
Services (KAS),
Suraj has always
been handpicked for
the key jobs. Until
last year, he was
with the then Chief
Minister Ghulam
Nabi Azad manning
his official residence
desk. The new
Secretary of Jammu
Municipal
Corporation says
that redress of
grievances in most
efficient manner is
what JMC is now
known for Excerpts :

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JAMMU MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
You are a young office
inspiring hope. Tell us
frankly how friendly is JMC
to public woes?
Frankly speaking the JMC
performs its legitimate duties in
an efficient manner. However
being a public organization some
times the delay in performing the
job viz redressal of grievances of
general masses is purely
procedural.
What are the major
complaints of violations the
JMC usually receive?
Major complaints received in
JMC pertains to sanitation and
encroachments etc. However the
JMC address the same within the
shortest stipulated time as and
when received.
What steps are being taken
to reduce delays in civic
administrative procedures?
The JMC has adopted
computerization in the
organization as well has opened a
website also, as such the system
has become transparent in nature
for dealing day to day working.
What is the entire record
keeping mechanism adopted
by JMC and how effective is
delivery of the system?
The record keeping
mechanism has marginally
improved due to adoption of
Impact Feature
public grievances cell which
address the grievances
systematically as well as quickly
and old system has been
dispensed which was merely
wastage of time and energy by
endorsing the grievance
application to different quarters
for redressal of the same.
Jammu Municipal
Corporation is a
democratically elected body
of 71 members. One can
understand the kind of
pressure on the officers
coming in from public
representatives. What role
do you play in addressing
their grievances?
The Councillors, who
represents public are Eco-
friendly, however, at times a
norms pressure from the public
representatives is observed
generally and is tied over by
mitigating as well redressal of the
problems projected by them in a
phased manner. The post of
Secretary, JMC is primarily to
have overall redressal of the
administrative as well other
obligatory functions which are
addressed by adopting majors in
collaboration with the
Councillors.
How transparent is the
working JMC. Have you
implemented the Right to
Information Act?
As already reported the
working in JMC has become
transparent by adopting rules
and regulations as provided in
Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.
The Municipal Corporation
adopts the rules and regulations
to its capability to make the
affairs of the Corporation
transparent.
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HANDCUFFED INNOCENCE
Stories of Lost Childhood in J&K
DEEPIKA THUSSOO
I
n the District Court in Jammu when I
was rushing to appear before excise
magistrate in November, 2008 I saw a
boy, barely ten years old handcuffed
being brought to court by a Policeman
from the District Jail . I realized this was
a blatant disregard of the law which
clearly stipulates the rules for juvenile
trial.
Stopping them I confronted the
policeman with the issue and got a
rather sheepish response. He
reluctantly answered, “the boy has
been arrested with his father and uncle
on international border. It is his date for
appearing in the court. Everyone is
brought before the court handcuffed, so
he too is being brought handcuffed.”
This was clearly a gross violation of child
rights and what made the matter even
graver, it was in the premises of the
court, meant to uphold justice for all.
The legal and journalistic aspects
in me came together as I asked pointed
questions to the policeman and the
child and recorded the evidence which
unraveled the situation. Rather than an
exception, this emerged as a rule.. The
policeman was quite forthcoming and
said that they have been ordered to
take the juvenile delinquents
handcuffed to court and do the same
with every young offender. This was an
outright violation of the law and it was
happening in a state where the where
Juvenile Justice Act, 1997 stands
extended.
Clearly in my sincerity of purpose
and intensity of emotions, I had
overstepped authority. I was called into
the court which demanded my reasons
for interviewing the accused and the
policeman. The court grilled me on my
actions at interviewing this young
offender without the permission of the
district judge. A little intimidated but
knowing that I was on sure ground, I
stated my reasons plainly. This went
against the letter and the spirit of the
Juvenile Justice Act. I knew that had I
waited for permission, it would have
been a lost chance. Such offenders are
often bundled out of the court room as
soon as the hearing is over and taken to
the 'felons' or the district jail where
these “juvenile delinquents” are kept. I
openly said as much to the court
deciding it was better for all the cards
to be on the table.
I left the court making a humble
submission that such juvenile offenders
should not be paraded, handcuffed. I
knew I had made a point, not merely in
terms of a humanitarian appeal which is
demeaning to the offender but on the
strength of the legal point. The judge
had to acquiesce in the matter and it
was a small battle won for restoring the
dignity of a young boy who was on the
wrong side of the law. My submission
worked as I later came to know that the
accused boy was being taken without
the handcuffs. Sometimes the rewards
of professional or social work surpass
the what the standard expectation or
acknowledgement. The boy spotted me
Epilogue Ø
75 ×
October 2009
F EATURE S
Life Stories
and with a smile on his pale face just
said “thankoo”.
This incident raises a number of
questions about the state of child rights
in the militancy infested Jammu. One
can take this single case as a sample
which demonstrates how the children in
conflict with law in the insurgency
ridden Jammu are treated. Directly or
indirectly due to militancy, poverty and
unemployment, many children are
pushed towards the crime and
militancy. There is a crying need to
address this issue with clarity,
compassion and action. Concerned
individuals and organizations need to
come forward to the rescue and
rehabilitation of the such children who
need protection, guidance and a
supportive framework to make a
transition from offenders to law-abiding
children caught in a society of turmoil.
Particularly in conflict areas, the
dynamics working to push children
towards crime and militancy are
exacerbated and any law or system of
Juvenile Justice needs to stay focused
on that rather than just treatment” of
children breaking the law. The system
needs to be based on the root cause and
not just address the symptoms.
The treatment and proceedings
governing juveniles have a legal basis
here in India and thus need to strictly
adhered to. The issue finds prominence
in international conventions setting the
framework for Child Rights as well. The
UN Convention on the Rights of Child

CRC contains several articles that specifically
relate to the situation of children in conflict with
the law. Article 12 states that children have the
right to be heard in judicial proceedings
affecting them, Article 37 refers to the
prohibition of Torture and Deprivation of Liberty
and Article 40 deals with the Administration of
Juvenile Justice.
The CRC goes beyond only the procedural
aspects to ensure that the dignity and sense of
worth of a child in such circumstances is not
compromised. Article 37 clearly stresses that
no child shall “be subjected to torture, cruel
treatment or punishment, unlawful arrest or
deprivation of liberty.” Article 40 states that a
child in conflict with the law has the right to
treatment, which promotes the child's sense of
dignity and worth
The current status of the Juvenile Justice
Act, 1996 in the state is that it has been
extended on the pattern of earlier central Act,
which stands repealed by Children Care and
Protection Act, 2000 at the Central Government
level. Sadly in J&K which sorely needs a legal
protective mechanism for its young offenders,
the provisions of even the earlier law being
adhered to are not evident. It is pertinent to
note that the state government has neither
ratified the new Act by the Central Government
nor has it implemented the beneficiary
provisions of the older Act (Jammu and Kashmir
Juvenile Justice Act, 1996).
The glaring lacuna in the legal provisions
weighs heavily on young offenders who are being
kept behind the bars along with the professional
criminals which is totally against the law. They
are not covered by any provisions for relief and
rehabilitation and continue to languish in jails.
This calls for urgent judicial intervention to
bring the government to book and hold them to
the provisions of the Act, to pressurize them to
meet the promises of protection of child rights in
the conflict-ridden state. For one young boy
who was freed from the humility of a shackled
court presence, there are countless others who
are looking to be dealt with in a manner fitting an
enlightened society.
{This article has been written under the “Sanjoy
Ghose Media Fellowship 2008-09-Role of Women
Journalists in Areas of Conflict }
Epilogue Ø
F EATURE S
Life Stories
Quenching the Thirst of
Uttarakhand Through
Bottled Water
DINESH PANT
“
Thanda” means …no not the popular jingle but something
else, more basic here in Uttarakhand. The salubrious climes
which offer a cool haven to heat and dust stricken tourists
from the plains, is itself in need of some comfort. Throughout the
summer heat, bottles of cold drinks and mineral water are sold in
dhabas, khumtas and tiny shops in far flung towns and village
bazaars, which does not seem odd at all. Except strangely the
only consumers of this is not the tourists and other travelers
alone. The local population is also consuming these and in vast
quantities. For a people to be partaking of bottled water is
something inconceivable, out of character and perhaps
symptomatic of an aberration in a land known for its gurgling
mountainous streams.
It cannot be a statement of having arrived or a desire to show
style and panache in front of the national and international tourists
that is driving them. It is something more basic, simply a crying
need. The summer season has been relentless and dried up many of
the water reserves once famed in this region. There is just not
enough water in the pipelines and those who still partake of it run
the risk of getting jaundice or diarrhea.
Before summer reaches its peak, all the major traditional
water resources, which once used to overflow, dry up. The region
which lies in the shadow of Himalayas, the origin of such mighty
rivers like Ganga and Yamuna is faced with water shortage today.
Two decades ago rivers, ponds and natural water resources used to
very naturally fulfill the needs of the people. Today the situation is
grim and the signs have been apparent for about a decade now.
Underlying this is the slow but now visible forms of
environmental degradation. Forested areas have shrunk,
population has grown and towns have spread bringing with them the
inevitable spread of the concrete jungle. Traditional sources of
water, 'gadehras, streams and ponds which Uttarakhand used to
abound in, have simply dried up or been cemented in this
unrelenting march of 'progress'.
The level of water is decreasing in the low lying areas. There is
simply not enough moisture now retained in the soil. Many wells are
dried out and while earlier digging a few feet underground would
cause water to spring forth, now one needs to dig more than 20 feet
76 ×
October 2009

. Mahesh Pandey, a social worker, says
“ Many tributaries has become a nullah,
whereas the levels of Yamuna, Ganges,
Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Ram Ganga and
Kosi is regularly falling.”
For the local communities, it is
back-breaking work to fetch water,
getting increasingly difficult in a
compromised environment. The
problem is typical of many
mountainous regions. A woman spends
several productive hours of her day in
fetching water for cooking from far-
flung areas. On an average in one trip
she is able to cart between 10 to 20
litres of water in canisters or earthen
pots which would suffice for a medium
size family plus animals. For larger
families this quantity requirement
would shoot up. What is important
also is the distance from the source.
For longer distances, the carrying
capacity would reduce. All in all it is a
grueling trek and very often villagers
prefer to store this water for cooking
and cleaning purposes, leaving the
drinking water needs to be met from a
more modern source, that of packaged
drinking water.
The government which is
supposed to provide for drinking
water buckles under every successive
summer. Its water management is
ineffective and does not have any
long term programmes to address the
fundamental issue. The undulating
surface means that even from
existing sources, water has to be
transported from pipelines,
sometimes lifted up as it were.
According to Uttarakhand
government figures, there are 950
such villages where no water could be
provided without lift programme.
Very often the water being brought
through pipes from sources far away is
polluted. In Pithoragarh, the water
from 'Thuligarh', source caused nearly
F EATURE S
Life Stories
80% of the population to get jaundice particular local community. Yet there is
according to the local hospital figures. a big picture that is missing and this falls
Over the years, people have squarely in the ambit of governmental
organized movements to demand safe action.
drinking water from the government. In Ironically, providing of drinking
Pithoragarh district after the dreaded water was listed as among the main
illness took its toll, there has been a priorities of the government at
move to source water from a nearby formation of the new state of
water fall, Birthi. In Almora district Uttarakhand (then Uttaranchal) was
which was dependent on the Kosi river c a r v e d o u t o f U t t a r Pr a d e s h .
has been experiencing a falling level of Subsequent governments have only paid
water which in view of its growing lip service to this. The winners in this
population is leading to a panic water-dance is clearly the cold-drink
situation. Here local communities have industry which has by default gained
raised the banner to demand that water from the situation. For a region which
be sourced from another source, Pindari beckons the visitor with its scenic
glacier in Bageshwar district to meet beauty, this amounts to a gross neglect
the growing demands. But these are of core needs of a people for whom the
small battles which are sometimes bounty of nature has been bottled into a
resolved to the satisfaction of a packaged commodity
Now
Epilogue Telling
because there is more to know The J&K Stories
Contact
ABDULLAH NEWS AGENCY, Lal Chowk, Srinagar
***
RAINA NEWS AGENCY, Residency Road, Jammu
***
ABC STATIONERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, Leh
***
SHAHEEN NEWS AGENCY, Kargil
***
CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY, New Delhi
***
OXFORD BOOK STORE
New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Chennai & Goa
Epilogue Ø
77 ×
October 2009

Exposure of children to online-pornography:
Implications Disastrous
JAVAID RASHID
W
ould you believe what Salman
Rushdie says in his novel,
“Shalimar the Clown”, that in
cultures where sexes are artificially
prevented from being together, people
resort to pornography; or would you go
with Steve Hirch, a pornographer and
founder of a leading porn studio, who
revolutionized and mainstreamed the
porn industry so belligerently that even
the universities like Yale University
invites him for guest lectures; or
would you trust, nonetheless
at last, the researchers who
warn us of the sleep-
stealing and horrible
impact of exposure to
pornography on humans,
particularly on children and
youth.
To which school of thought,
culture or group we belong
to, we can't take recourse to
denial, complacency and
escapism, when any researcher
or a whistle-blower warns us of the
society's growing exposure to online-
sexualized explicit content, and
vulnerabilities and threats associated
with it. In Kashmir the increasing
exposure of our youth and children to
pornography and online-sexualized-
violent activities is catastrophic, having
social, psychological, physiological and
behavioral repercussions, which eat
into the society's cohesion and
integration, social health and fitness
and sullies our children and youth, who
SPEC I AL
are the future adults or the future
itself.
Pornography:
Pornography is the sexual content
ranging from nudity to explicit sexual
activity; combines sex and exposure of
genitals with abuse or degradation in a
manner that appears to induce,
condone or encourage such depicted
beh
avior. In
the present era,
internet is the main and the
most widely used source of
pornographic material that is easily
accessible, affordable and the 'rich'
source of sexual content and faulty-
fantasies. It is estimated that there are
Epilogue Ø
78 ×
October 2009
R E POR T
Society
280 million online porn web-pages on
internet. The powerful search-engines,
connected even to mobile
communication, with the millions of
pornographic web-pages decrease the
gap between the internet-user and
porn; the internet-user finds it just
seconds away. The recent increase in
the number of the telecom and mobile
companies operating in our Valley and
the corresponding electronic
exposure has made 'internet-
facility' a necessary commodity,
which all vie to have through
USB data cards & 'photons',
GPRS and broad-band
connections. The youth, in
particular, excessively
compete to have internet-
facility at hand,
irrespective of their needs
and requirements. How
vulnerable they are to get
exposed --- deliberately or
unwillingly, to sexually
explicit and violent content,
could be guessed from a
research finding that the
average age of a visitor of a
porn site is 12 years. Using
word “porn” on a search engine
th rows a t le a st 3 million
pornographic web-pages to which tens
of thousands are added daily. Your child
is just a 'click' away from the 'evil-world
of pornography'--- where immorality,
lust and sensuous violence is the
religion. It is the world that engulfs him,

sullies his innocence and transforms his
'real life' into violent and unnatural
sexualized fantasies. He is thrown into
the bottomless abyss of lust and desire
where from he tries to come out only to
be re-thrown again. It is catastrophic
and havoc-causing to his personality,
behavior and attitudes.
Age-sensitivity:
Moreover, the age sensitivity of
children and adolescents poses new
threats and vulnerabilities. The social
and psychological identity, the
cognitive and behavioral
hypersensitivity and the
perceptual and emotional
inclination of children and
teens is too fragile and
prone to 'irregularities and
mal-functions'. The stage
being the transition from
childhood to adulthood has
corresponding essential
processes and phenomena
going on. The process of
socialization, cognitive
and mental growth,
personality and emotional
development are the
essential features of the
child developmental
stages. Altering and
interfering with the child's
normal course of
development, socialization and
learning could have horrible and vile
ramifications for him as a social being
and for society as a whole. The exposure
of children and teens to online-
pornographic content at this over-
sensitive, crucial and determining stage
of life could potentially add
innumerable malfunctions and
maladies, having catastrophic
consequences for the individual and
society as well, at all the levels of
human interactions and relations.
SPEC I AL
Impact:
The impact of pornography on
humans and society is complex, multi-
faceted and unprecedented. Keeping in
view the engulfing richness of porn sites
on internet, its easy accessibility and
affordability and its corresponding vul-
nerabilities and dangers, it becomes
imperative to discuss this sensitive and
morally- loaded topic, particularly in
the regions and societies like Kashmir.
Considering the cultural and social con-
servatism and 'decency' of Kashmiri soci-
ety, viewing pornography or any sexu-
ally explicit content is strongly disap-
proved. It is a taboo and an extreme
form of indecency and immorality. This
social prohibition and disapproval is
mainly based on religious and moral
grounds and not on the concern for the
disastrous and sleep-stealing impact
and consequences of the exposure to
pornography on children and youth. No
doubt, the ill-awareness, negligence or
faulty information of the people and the
lack of contextualized-research are the
main reasons of the above fact. Thus, it
Epilogue Ø
79 ×
October 2009
R E POR T
Society
becomes indispensably important to
sensitize the stakeholders and throw
light on the topic, giving serious thought
to the issues and consequences emerg-
ing out of it, that if neglected could
potentially have horrible ramifications
and that could imperil our social inte-
gration, social cohesion and social
health.
The surfing, downloading and
viewing pornographic material may
seem to be a simple 'irregular and
deviant' behavioral manifestation that
arises out of the instinct of humans to
explore their sexuality and
information related to it.
Wrong! It is not as simple
and less-dangerous as
people generally consider
it. In fact, it is a monster; a
tsunami; a tornado that
transforms your children
into sex-centered humans
rather non-humans, who
see, perceive and
understand the language of
'sex', who distort and
sexualize every relationship
whether in family, in
neighborhood or in streets.
Havoc; tragedy is it!
In the present day
Kashmir almost every home
or locality witnesses an
e l e c t r o n i c a n d
technological up-gradation that has
decreased immensely the digital gap. In
this scenario children and youth are
more prone to stumble on the internet
and get exposed to the extreme forms
of online-sexualized violence and
sexually explicit content. The initial
unwilling exposure to pornography, very
quickly changes to 'deliberate and
willing' viewing and using of the adult-
sexual content. Surfing on search
engine for homework topics or other
academic & educational information

may many-a-times easily land an
internet-user in this world of lust; it
occupies his imagination and the scenes
and images get imprinted on his
mentality and perceptions. He hardly
resists replicating or 'un-seeing' it, and
ultimately, pornographic addiction
overpowers everything else in him.
Seeing and viewing pornographic
material may not be that serious issue
than the consequences it brings forth.
The content depicts unnatural sexual
activities, attitudes and behavior,
based on faulty information, fantasies
and sensuous violence. The children and
teens generally having dominant
instincts of exploring their sexuality,
and consequently, in quest of seeking
out related-information--- visual or
text, find internet as the most easily
accessible and available source.
Eventually, the time comes when
viewing pornography becomes a
sexualized recreational activity and
that evolves in them new 'fantasies' in
real life, unnatural and abnormal to the
basics of human relations, to the
process of socialization and sexual-
socialization. The derangement of the
normal course of development,
socialization and sexual growth, the
distortion of attitudes, perceptions and
personality, and the faulty and
imperiling behavioral development is
what he reaps ultimately. How it
impacts his social, psychological,
personal, emotional, physiological and
behavioral identity and personality
have been thoroughly brought to
surface by researchers, world over. The
sensitive and hyperactive nature of
children makes them more prone to the
negative impacts and consequences of
pornographic exposure. Moreover, the
incapability of children to integrate the
sexually-explicit information into a
healthy sexual identity worsens the
scenario, having ramifications for both
individual and society.
SPEC I AL
The concerns and threats that
emerge out of the deliberate or
unwilling exposure to pornography
could be outlined as:
§ Normal sexual development
gets interfered; encouraging early
sexual activity having its own issues and
concerns at different levels of human
and cultural interaction.
§ Acceptance of 'open' sexual
tastes and lifestyles and unnatural
sexual orientations like homosexuality,
child sex, etc
§ Encouraging sexual violence
and crimes in family and kinship, and
fostering incest (sex with-in blood
relations and family), etc.
§ Generating dysfunctional
socialization, poor social bonds,
confusion, identity crisis, guilt, anxiety,
trauma, addictions, emotional and
behavioral instability.
§ Increase in risk-taking and rule-
breaking behavior in children and
fostering violent and rape inclinations.
The excessive use of pornography
encourages sexual offending, anti-
social personality, etc. It strips children
and youth of human-feelings and
natural perceptions.
§ It stagnates their creativity and
analytical potential & abilities,
endangering their career and disturbing
their life prospects and prosperity.
§ The exposure inhibits the
development of positive social
relationships skills. It adds many
dysfunctions to his personality and
distorts his sexual attitudes and
behavior, weakening the prospects of
family-building in future.
§ The sexual and psychological
malfunctions due to extreme
pornographic exposure harden his
sexual excitability and weaken the
sexual responsiveness (disorders like
erectile dysfunctions, etc); increased
tolerance toward pornographic
content, and thereby requiring more
Epilogue Ø
80 ×
October 2009
R E POR T
Society
explicit, novel or bizarre exposure to
achieve the same level of interest or
arousal, ultimately interferes with
marital relations in future life;
moreover, family, marriage and
intimacy are viewed as unattractive
prospects that confine their sexual
freedom, etc.
§ The dangerous distortion and
degradation of women identity and
viewing women merely as sex-objects
and considering sexual activity solely as
a physical exercise bereft of love,
intimacy and care, is a prominent
dangerous impact.
The impact and repercussions of
the pornographic exposure on children
and adolescents mentioned above, is
just a tip of an iceberg. In the lack of
research both at international and local
level, the underpinning realities and
dimensions remain unexplored.
Nonetheless, what we know of it today
warns us that it is in no sense an issue to
be ignored. Enter an internet café, just
scroll the 'history button' and see what
the previous users are haunted and pre-
occupied with. Alarmingly, the most of
the URL-addresses visited-previously
link to pornographic web-pages and
material. This is the case in a café
where one has too little a privacy. One
could imagine what would be the
scenario in homes; in ones own room; in
complete privacy, particularly when our
valley is witnessing a technological
paradigm shift and where web-browsing
through GPRS-mobiles, USB-datacards,
etc is at hand. In these prevailing
circumstances our children and youth
are getting caught in this whirlpool of
immoral illusions and lust-driven
activities. Observe a peer-group of
children or youth in a colony, a college
or a school, take note of their
conversations and discussions; check
their mobile storage and memory-cards
and notice their behavioral responses
and inclinations, you will surely be

taken aback, all- surprised, as if , they
are a new mutated and transformed
generation; their de-pinked cheeks
reveal the bereavement of their
innocence; their wandering gaze in
street points out their restlessness;
their eyes bereft of that innocence-
mingled freshness bear testimony of the
pre-occupation; and their glow-less
faces foretell that a tragedy is
imminent, hovering over the future.
This is our future; the society's future;
the Kashmir's future, about to get
capsized in the ocean of lust,
immorality and destruction.
As the research points out, male
children or boys are more prone or
attracted to pornographic content, and
thus making them more vulnerable to its
negative impact than female children or
girls. Considering the dearth of research
on the impact of pornographic exposure
on children and youth in Kashmir,
nonetheless the 'observation' reveals
that the male children or boys seem to
be excessively exposed and negatively
impacted. Consequentially, the way our
children and youth perceive and
understand 'female-identity'; the way
they shape their behavior and relations
in family; the way they see their
female-colleagues; the way they mould
their sexual behavior, inclinations and
attitudes; the way they regard marriage
and family prospects, are some of the
curious research questions. For
instance, the surge in violent crime
inclinations in children and adolescents
is a matter of great concern. The recent
Romana's killing is enough a testimony
to that. The increase in violent crimes
and sexual offences in our valley have
diverse sociological and psychological
reasons, and many of which could be
traced to the excessive exposure of
young generation to pornography and
online- sexualized violent material in
the form of 'rape videos and stories',
SPEC I AL R E POR T
Society
'incest and bestiality movies and stories' prevent our children and youth from
and other hardcore porn. falling in the endless-quagmire of lust,
The state of unconcern on part of immorality … and death? The sooner,
the civil society and all other the better!
stakeholders is exacerbating the (Javaid Rashid is a Research Scholar
already-ruined state of affairs. It is good Centre for Social Medicine and Community
Health in Jawaharlal Nehru University,
to talk about negative impact of 'un-
NewDelhi; feedback: javaid.mswku@gmail.com)
supervised and un-controlled' exposure
to satellite channels, cable or other
forms of daily communication. But
nobody pays heed to the issues and
concerns related with the use and
Epilogue
misuse of internet. Even our because there is more to know
academicians, intellectuals and other
professionals are resorting to escapism
and denial, giving a good picture of Monthly Magazine
everything to appease the 'invisible-
forces'. It is tragic and shameful! Extensively Researched
Thus it is time to come to the
frontline and discharge our duties and Written with Clarity
responsibilities appropriately according
to the needs and demands of society. and Insight
Family and parents in particular have a
great role to play in safeguarding their Covers Four Key Issues
children from this engulfing danger.
Also, it is incumbent on the
Politics
stakeholders and researchers to
facilitate the research on the topic, so
Economy
that the impact is thoroughly studied, Culture
analyzed and understood, and that
could set the base for developing Strategic Affairs
effective strategies to deal with the
issue and mitigate its consequential
dangers. Why can't we have a 'Filtering
and Screening System', not at the user- Unlike the General
level, but at the service-provider level,
so that our children and youth get run of the
immunized and protected from the
harmful online content! Why can't it be Mill News Magazine
made compulsory and obligatory for
the Internet Service Providers to have
the Filter System! Yes, it will surely
reduce the 'profit' of these companies,
as the maximum usage of internet Epilogue
through-out the world is to seek
pornographic content and things
Has a shelf life That Extends
related with it. But can't we sacrifice Far Beyond the
our 'mean-profits' for the sake of our
children and youth. Won't we strive to
News Period Covered
Epilogue Ø
81 ×
October 2009

How to Read a
Person by Gestures
DR. G.Q. SHEIKH
E
very society exercises gestures in
order to communicate. Some of
them are stylized in the dance,
head-nodding, hand-shaking and nose-
thumbing, which may have very
different meanings in different
cultures.
One's posture and manner of
walking also may have communicate
significance. A person may walk as
though he is 'master of all the surveys”,
or he may walk in a manner which
indicates utter despair. Even the
physical distance between two
individuals engaged in private
conversation reflects the nature of their
relationship. Strangers converse at
greater distances than acquaintances,
and close friends show the greatest
physical proximity.
Less conventionalized than
gestures or posture but still having some
degree of general meaning are such
symbols as the sort of clothes a person
wears, the kind of car he drives, his hair
style and his beard or clean shaved face
and many instances of communications
discovers the importance of human
behaviour.
Since communication involves
multiprosess manners. It is palable that
emotional relations, mannerisms,
habits and gestures are separate and
distinct from those of a person sitting
next and lumping them into one
category is unjustified.
Observing gestures is quire simple
SPEC I AL
but interpreting them is obfuscated.
Study reveals that the gesture of
Covering One's Mouth while speaking
exhibits that the person is unsure of
what he is saying. This gesture (covering
the mouth) indicates that the person is
doubtful, unsure, lying or distorting the
truth. Folded Arms and Steeping
Fingertips together is associated with
defensive posture. One should not be
completely influenced by observing
only one single gesture and making a
decision while being unaware of the
gesture-cluster and the prior and
subsequent gestures.
The most readily group of
nonverbal gestures is the facial
expressions. Eyes are most observable
part of the body which is being focused
more often than any other part of the
body and the expressions of the eyes
have widely accepted meanings. A
person with eyes wide open, lips tightly
closed and eyebrows down is an
aggressive individual. On the other
hand, a person with droppy eyelids
veiled, slight smile and peacefully
arched eyebrows without any furrow on
the forehead is by and large a very
capable and competitive individual who
is social and cooperative.
Jane Templeton, a psychologist in
his article “How salesmen can find out
What's really on a customer's mind”,
observed that if a prospect's eyes are
down cat and face turned away, you're
being shut out. However, if the mouth is
Epilogue Ø
82 ×
October 2009
ART I C L E
Behaviour
relaxed, without the mechanical smile,
chin is forward, he is more or less
considering your presentation. If his
eyes engage your for several seconds at
a time with a slight, one-sided smile
extending at least to nose level, he is
weighing your proposal. Then if his head
is shifted to the same level at yours,
smile is relaxed and appears
enthusiastic, the sale is virtually made.
Michael Argyle in his book, The
Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour,
observes that people look at each other
more than 30 and 60 percent of the
time. Two individuals while talking look
at each other more than 60 percent out
of the time, they are probably more
interested in the other person than in
what he is saying. The amount of eye
contact varies dramatically with
different individuals and cultures.
Certain individuals, due to their
shyness, tend to avoid eye contact or at
least minimize it if at all possible. These
persons, study reveals are honest,
sincere and dedicated to their job.
“Giving someone the Eye”, exhibits
facial impression with eye contact that
indicates interest no matter how long or
brief glance may be.
Generally adults who walk rapidly
and swing their arms freely tend to be
goral oriented and readily pursue their
objectives, while the person who
habitually walks with this hands in his
pockets, even in warm weather, tends
to be critical and secretive. Such person

always tried to put other people down.
A person while talking raised his
chin, arms swing, legs somewhat stiff
and with calculated pace is categorized
a self-satisfied individual. This
expression is generally applied to
politicians/leaders whose subordinates
keep in step behind them liked
'ducklings following their mother's is a
sign of loyalty and devotion. Woman
when, when expressing sincere feelings
to other woman particularly during
crises do not shake hand but gently hold
the other's hands in their and with
congruous facial expression
communicate their deep sympathy.
The modern handshake is a gesture
of welcome. The palms interlocking
signify openness and the touching
indicates oneness. Shaking with the
right hand while grasping the other
person's right forearm or right shoulders
with the left hand indicates acceptance
while as offering fingers for handshake
is a bad taste and a sign of discomfort,
non acceptance and gesture of
insincerity.
Crossing legs horizontally with the
Epilogue
because there is more to know
Regional in Content
National in Presence
J&K’s only
news/current affairs
publication with
all-India presence
SPEC I AL
ankle resting on the other knee seem to
be the ones who give most competition
and need the greatest amount of
attention. A woman crosses her legs and
moves foot in a slight kicking position, is
probably bored with the situation but
anxiously waiting for depart.
Speaking before a group or in the
classroom, a speaker must be aware of
the gesture of 'tilting of heads'. If the
heads of the participants are not titled,
feel that the participants are not
interested in listening the material.
Once the speaker knows this gesture, he
can gauge well how his information is
getting across. When heads become
erect rather than tilted, backs
straighten up, glances at the ceilings, at
watches, at other and finally some will
start positioning their bodies remember
the state of bored ness has come and
exit is at peak. The speaker is no longer
acceptable. If the group has reached
this stage, the speaker should
understand that the participants/
students are nonverbally signaling
departure.
One some occasions, an angry
Ask for your copy at :
?
Abhijeet Sagar Book Center
Pune,
MAHARASHTRA
?
American Book Center
Anna Salai, Chennai
TAMIL NADU
?
B N Dey & Co.
Pan Bazaar, Guwahati
ASSAM
?
Deepak Kumar
Magazine Agents, Patna
BIHAR
?
Dey & Bose Magazine Agent
Howrah,
WEST BENGAL
?
Ideal Books
Tutors Line, Trissur
KERALA
Oxford Book Stores
NEW DELHI, MUMBAI, KOLKATTA,
CHENNAI, BANGALORE & GOA
ART I C L E
Behaviour
person, unable to explain feelings
directly, scratches head or rub the back
of neck in frustration. The gesture of
frustration can also be observed by
clinching fists and holdings wrists or
arms. Turning up one's nose, describes
what appears to be indicating dislike
and rejection. Even babies instinctively
turn up their nose at food they dislike.
Gesture with glasses by dropping
eyeglasses onto the lower bridge of the
nose and peering over them is a
negative emotional reaction. Taking the
glassed deliberately off and cleaning
the lenses even though the glasses may
not need implies delay in decision. In
similar gesture in which the glasses are
removed and the earpiece of the frame
is put in the mouth signifies that the
person seeks more information. And
gesture in which glasses are taking off
either quickly and throwing them on the
table is an indication of emotional
outburst of the individual.
At the end, it may be inferred upon
that to jump into conclusions without
in-depth exposure to non-verbal
communications is difficult.
?
JMD Book House
Shimla
HIMACHAL PRADESH
?
Life Book House
Himidira Road Bhopal
MADHYA PRADESH
?
Modern Book House
Lucknow,
UTTAR PRADESH
?
Rajesh Agencies
Jaipur
RAJASTHAN
?
Shams News Agency
Farmanwadi, Hyderabad
ANDHRA PRADESH
?
Uniquality News Agency
Bapuji Nagar, Bhubaneshwar
ORISSA
Central News Agency
NEW DELHI
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