Jammu: In a veiled advice to BJP, National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Tuesday cautioned against attempts of trampling the inclusive spirit of Jammu, saying the people won’t spare those trying to break their time tested unity.
“Duggar-land belongs to all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion and polarizing it for petty political gains would amount to discrediting its glorious ethos”, Mr Rana while addressing May Day Rally, organized by NC Sate Centre Labour Union at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning.
He said, by sowing seeds of hatred, the self-styled Messiahs cannot break the will of Jammu people, who have all along stood for love, compassion and justice to all. “In the land of warriors, how can anyone even dare to trivialize most heinous crime against a girl child”, he said, apparently referring to the insensitive comment of the newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP government, describing the Kathua case a minor issue. He said such insensitivity betrays Jammu’s love for humanity and respect for women.
The Provincial President lashed out at the BJP for ditching people of Jammu and said its pretentions have fallen apart during the past nearly four years, as this region has suffered the most. By exploiting sentiments of innocent Dogras for decades, the BJP stands exposed for the self-centric approach of its leaders, whose greed has superimposed public interest in every arena. He said the self-respecting people of Jammu won’t forgive exploiters of their interests and sentiments.
Lauding the resilience and fortitude of work force for their sustained efforts in nation building, Rana said that May Day is reminiscent of the workers’ rights and societal response towards their well being. “It is a day of introspection for us all to ponder whether we have succeeded in assuaging their aspirations and urges”, he said and complimented the relentless campaign of the Labour Union in fighting for genuine cause of the work force.
Speaking on the occasion, former minister and Sr State Vice President Surjeet Singh Slathia castigated the BJP for anti-poor and anti-workers’ policies, saying the introduction of GST had jeopardized the interests of both—the entrepreneurs and the workers. “By promising Ache Din for the poor, the current dispensations at the Centre and the State have broken the backbone of skilled and unskilled work force”, he said.
Slathia said that National Conference has always fought for the cause of labour-class and said their welfare was an integral part of Naya Jammu and Kashmir programme from its very inception.
Slathia made a particular mention of interest evinced by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah for the empowerment of weaker sections especially the labour force and said this continues to be a guiding force for National Conference. As a result of progressive and revolutionary policies pursued over the years, the overall condition of work force had considerably improved, he said and regretted that the labour class is now been ignored.
Nar Singh President SCLU, in his address highlighted various issues and urged the leadership to take up these at appropriate forums for redressal.
Singh listed the issues, which, inter-alia, included implementation of Minimum Wage Act, release of pending DA in public sector and private sector, release of 6th and 7th Pay Commission arrears, pension benefits to Public Sector employees, implementation of SRO-43 in Public Sector, regularization of daily wagers, casual workers, consolidated employees, ITI diploma holders in PSUs and Government Departments, setting up of non-polluting as well as employment generating units, closing of polluting units, abolition of contract system in private sector, employment of locals in private sector besides introduction of a viable Industrial Policy.
