GNS Srinagar, April 10 ::: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has said youth would have to assert their power to bring in a systemic change in Jammu & Kashmir that has suffered as result of the subversion of democratic processes.
Addressing a large number of civil society members here today he urged the professionals, lawyers, students, teachers and other sections of civil society to realize their role as agents of fundamental change and contribute to deliverance of Jammu & Kashmir from its difficulties. He said most of our problems flowed from inability of democratic process to take root in the state and the shyness and cynicism that was caused as the result of this among the people helped only the political vested interest.
The prominent among those who met Mufti included Adv Mehrajudin, Adv Muzaffar Ah, Mr Tufail Khan, Faisal Ahmed, Adv Mubeen, Adv Javaid, Adv Asif Ah, Mohd Ashraf Khan and Mr Adnan. District President and MLC Mohd Ashraf Mir was also present on this occasion.
Mufti said in spite of failed democratic process and after having used all possible methods of protest and expression of anger it was encouraging that people of the state had launched them selves on the path to emancipation, development and liberty through the exercise of the right to vote. This had brought about change in successive governments since 2002 and had also created a consciousness among the people that governments can be changed through the will of the people and that governments can make a difference in the lives of the people. He said the people of the state had now political alternatives available which they could choose from in any future election.
The PDP patron said after having watched the performance of the present government and its preceding coalition between PDP and Congress people were now in a position to compare their performance. “It is this comparison that has created a real democratic temper in the state which was previously dominated by a single party rule” he said.
Mufti said youth of the state had fallen victim to a variety of problems arising out of political uncertainty and economic deprivation. On the one hand successive generations had been in an agitational mode leading to their alienation and on the other the governments, mostly led by NC, had bartered away their interests. The natural resources of the state were given away without any returns and political and administrative systems were subverted as a result of rampant nepotism, favouritism and corruption. This had created a wall of despair and darkness around our youth, he said.
Mufti said PDP was rooted in the peoples aspiration for better governance, justice and accountability and was committed to take the state out of the political and economic siege. He said youth were the centre piece of the PDP agenda as it aimed at liberating them from emotional exploitation and creating an atmosphere in which our human resource could realize its full potential and the youth of the state could employ their creative abilities fully. He said the human resource of the state was among the best in the world and if our youth can make a mark outside the state there was no reason why they should be viewed as a liability here. “Our youth are the best human material and they only need the right atmosphere and assistance to show their worth” he added.
Mufti said it was unfortunate that our youngsters had been forced to fight a battle of survival against the state that was using repressive measures for genuine expressions of protest. “It is a shame that thousands of our boys are facing criminal cases inspite of repeated announcements by the govt that these would be withdrawn”.
Refering to the problems of Srinagar Mufti said this capital city of historic importance had been exploited as a vote bank over the decades but never given its due share of development. He said the city is still battling basic problems like that of roads, drainage, electricity and drinking water. The state govt had failed to implement the massive developmental schemes approved previously under Asian Development Bank grants or the centrally sponsored schemes like NURRM. He said the city was finding it difficult to cater even to the needs of its permanent citizens and when the state was opening up to increased tourist rush the state administration had failed to respond adequately to this challenge. As result of constant neglect of the city he said it was now almost impossible to travel at peak hours for ordinary citizens.
Mufti regretted that the major initiatives taken by his govt during its brief stint had been abandoned by the NC led govt. The beautification of river Jehlum, development of Eidgah as a city end, proposed construction of seven flyovers in the city, all had been stopped as if out of political revenge. “The state govt should rise above petty political considerations and treat Srinagar city with the respect and concern that it deserves” he said.
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