No Result
View All Result
  • MISSION STATEMENT
  • CONTACT
  • BE PART OF QUALITY JOURNALISM
  • ARCHIVE
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
E-Paper
Kashmir Observer
14 °c
Srinagar
  • NEWSLIVE
    • TOP STORIES
    • LOCAL
    • CITY
    • REGIONAL
    • WORLD
  • IN DEPTH
    • FEATURE
    • HEADS & TAILS
    • OPINION
      • OPINION
      • EDITORIAL
      • KO ANALYSIS
      • LETTERS TO EDITOR
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • INTERVIEW
    • REVIEW
      • BOOKS
    • LONGFORM
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS NEWS
    • MARKET
    • ENERGY
    • HORTICULTURE
    • HANDICRAFTS
    • CARS & BIKES
    • STARTUP KASHMIR
  • SPORT
    • FOOTBAL
    • CRICKET
    • ADVENTURE SPORTS
    • GOLF
    • ATHLETICS
    • SKIING
    • OTHER SPORTS
  • MEDIA
  • PEOPLE
  • CULTURE
    • KHYEN CHYEN
    • ARTS
    • CRAFTS
    • FESTIVALS
    • THEATER
    • LANGAUGE
  • TRAVEL
    • HOUSEBOATS
    • HOTELS
    • ANGLING
    • CAMPING
    • DESTINATION FOCUS
  • SOCIETY
    • EDUCATION
    • HEADS & TAILS
    • GENDER
    • YOUTH
    • CHILD WELFARE
  • LITERATURE
    • SHORT STORY
    • BOOKS
    • NARRATIVE
  • CINEMA
    • CINEMA & TV
  • ePAPERS
    • BAZAAR OBSERVER
    • YOUNG KASHMIR
    • MIZRAB
  • NEWSLIVE
    • TOP STORIES
    • LOCAL
    • CITY
    • REGIONAL
    • WORLD
  • IN DEPTH
    • FEATURE
    • HEADS & TAILS
    • OPINION
      • OPINION
      • EDITORIAL
      • KO ANALYSIS
      • LETTERS TO EDITOR
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • INTERVIEW
    • REVIEW
      • BOOKS
    • LONGFORM
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS NEWS
    • MARKET
    • ENERGY
    • HORTICULTURE
    • HANDICRAFTS
    • CARS & BIKES
    • STARTUP KASHMIR
  • SPORT
    • FOOTBAL
    • CRICKET
    • ADVENTURE SPORTS
    • GOLF
    • ATHLETICS
    • SKIING
    • OTHER SPORTS
  • MEDIA
  • PEOPLE
  • CULTURE
    • KHYEN CHYEN
    • ARTS
    • CRAFTS
    • FESTIVALS
    • THEATER
    • LANGAUGE
  • TRAVEL
    • HOUSEBOATS
    • HOTELS
    • ANGLING
    • CAMPING
    • DESTINATION FOCUS
  • SOCIETY
    • EDUCATION
    • HEADS & TAILS
    • GENDER
    • YOUTH
    • CHILD WELFARE
  • LITERATURE
    • SHORT STORY
    • BOOKS
    • NARRATIVE
  • CINEMA
    • CINEMA & TV
  • ePAPERS
    • BAZAAR OBSERVER
    • YOUNG KASHMIR
    • MIZRAB
No Result
View All Result
Kashmir Observer
No Result
View All Result
Home IN DEPTH INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW | ‘Jammu & Kashmir Should be Split into Two States’

by Auqib Javeed
January 4, 2022
A A
57
SHARES
2.8k
VIEWS
Choudhary Lal Singh

“Kashmir is still facing the heat for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. We don’t want an exodus of Jammu Muslims.”

REITERATING his demand for a separate statehood for each Jammu and Kashmir, former JK minister Chaudhary Lal Singh advises Kashmiri leaders to talk about the valley only, rather than visiting Pir Panjal, and other parts of Jammu region.

“All the leaders of the region should think about their own region and focus on how to save its identity,” Singh said in an exclusive interview with Kashmir Observer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Singh’s statement came weeks after Kashmir-based politicians wrapped up their Jammu political tour.

“They’re eyeing 13 seats in Poonch, Baderwah and other Muslim belts of the Jammu districts because they fell short of the majority in Kashmir,” Singh said.“They should be questioned about their plan to save Kashmir, or Jammu for that matter.”

Read Also

Police Rejects News Report Claiming ‘Betrayal’ By DSP Adil Mushtaq

Open Defecation is History but Unscientific Waste Management Persists 

Singh said that although he’s fighting for separate Jammu, his party will never align with the people who talk about a particular religion. “They want to create a wedge between Hindus and Muslims for their own electoral benefits,” he said.

“Kashmir is still facing the heat for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. We don’t want an exodus of Jammu Muslims. I would never do it.”

Following are the edited excerpts of the long interview with the former forest minister on the warpath to carve out separate Jammu from the already downgraded region.

Some new political parties in Jammu are demanding a separate state for Jammu and are talking of disempowering Kashmir. What is your take on it?

See, whosoever is demanding a separate Jammu and a UT within UT in Kashmir is wrong.

I think both Kashmir and Jammu should be separated and the statehood of both regions should be restored.

I’m in that favour.

Why would Jammu get statehood only, why not Kashmir? If Ladakh is demanding statehood, we both should also demand statehood and make our identities and prosper.

I wouldn’t endorse UT status for Kashmir.

But why this demand suddenly? Why do you want to bifurcate the already downgraded region?

See, there’s a difference in our identity and as we are witnessing, our identities are fading. They [BJP] are diluting it.

And if they’re diluting it, how can we save it? Well, we can tell people of Jammu to fight for their statehood and Kashmiris to fight for their statehood. And if anyone needs help, we can discuss.

Now if anyone is saying keep them a UT and disempower them, I’m against it. It should never happen.

But why are some political parties from Jammu against Kashmiris?

It’s not like we’re against Kashmiris. We want them to prosper. They should be looked after and given equality. Kashmir has its own identity. It’s a beautiful place and people are beautiful, hospitable and respectful.

But yes, it’s unfortunate that militancy has grown there. We don’t know from where and how. It’s also the government’s negligence. Kashmir leaders were incompetent to handle it.

When I come to Kashmir, my eyes fill with tears. There’s not a place without graveyards. Who’re the people responsible for it? It is time to stop the bloodshed.

But aren’t you dividing people of Kashmir and Jammu?

See, whatever suits Kashmir, they should talk about it, while Jammu should do the same. And at the moment Jammu wants a separate statehood. That’s it. I’m not separating them. I’m saving everyone’s identity. Kashmir has its own identity, so has Jammu and Ladakh.What’s wrong in saying that? So everyone should fight to save their own identity.

Do you mean to say Kashmiri leaders were not able to handle the erstwhile state?

Yes! Tell me something, why did Ladakh separate? Why did Jammu give two seats to BJP? What is the reason? Because the Kashmiri leaders were not able to handle the erstwhile state.

They discriminated with both Jammu and Ladakh. As a result both are out of their hands now.

See, as a father I’ve to look after my family without discrimination. If I don’t do that, what will happen? Naturally, my family will start falling apart. The same happened with the erstwhile state, which was like three brothers.

Who created differences between them? Who divided them?

So you want to divide now?

Yes, Jammu and Kashmir should’ve been divided into two states so that equitable development could have taken place.

Why was it made a Union Territory from a state? We would’ve three states. What was their (BJP’s) problem? They divided Assam into five states. Telangana was separated from Andhra Pradesh. Our state with such a huge area has been made a Union Territory. We need to think about this.

So are you blaming Kashmiri leaders for the bifurcation of the state?

The Kashmir leaders started the war from the beginning when the Dogra rule ended. They further divided the regions till they were enjoying power. They had to treat everyone equally.

In a democratic setup if you don’t give equal rights to everyone, this was to happen. Kashmiri leaders kept adding more people from their side. They always thought about Kashmir. This is what BJP picked-up.

But you were also part of the same government?

See, I’m Chowdhary Lal Singh. I’ve my own style. When I was the health minister, I used to treat everyone with respect. When I was the forest minister, four lakh Deodar trees were planted in Srinagar so that Kashmir looks only green throughout the year. I didn’t discriminate on the basis of religion and region.

But let me tell you the Kashmir leaders were spreading hatred by discriminating between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The result is in front of you now. What’re they beating their chest for now?

These leaders even failed to convince people of the valley to vote. In Kashmir, hardly 8-10% people cast their vote. Did anyone ask them why they didn’t, when on the other side all the people in Jammu and Ladakh exercise their rights. They couldn’t unite Kashmir. They failed to convince them to vote.

What do you expect from the leaders of Kashmir? What is the option for all regions?

See, I think the leaders of Kashmir should also sit in Kashmir and talk about Kashmir only, rather than visiting Pir Panjal, and other parts of Jammu region. All the leaders of the region should think about their own region and focus on how to save its identity.That is it.

But why can’t they visit Jammu? What is wrong with it?

See, they’re eyeing 13 seats in Poonch, Baderwah and other Muslim belts of the Jammu districts. Because they fell short of the majority in Kashmir. They should be questioned about their plan to save Kashmir, or Jammu for that matter.

So can we see a possible alliance for upcoming elections with other parties who are demanding a separate state for Jammu and a UT within a UT in Kashmir?

Not at all, we will never align with the people who talk about a particular religion. They want to create a wedge between Hindus and Muslims for their own electoral benefits. I would never do it. They are the agents of BJP. This will not work with me. We want to carry everyone along.

Kashmir is still facing the heat for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. We don’t want an exodus of Jammu Muslims. Let me be very clear about this.

  • Syed Burhan contributed to this interview.

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

Be Part of Quality Journalism

Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast.

ACT NOW
MONTHLYRs 100
YEARLYRs 1000
LIFETIMERs 10000

CLICK FOR DETAILS

Share23Tweet14SendShare4ShareSend
Previous Post

J&K Logs 199 New Corona Cases

Next Post

JKP To Get American Assault Rifles, Pistols To Fight Militants

Auqib Javeed

Auqib Javeed

Auqib Javeed is special correspondent with Kashmir Observer and tweets @AuqibJaveed

Related Posts

Police Rejects News Report Claiming ‘Betrayal’ By DSP Adil Mushtaq
LOCAL

Police Rejects News Report Claiming ‘Betrayal’ By DSP Adil Mushtaq

Open Defecation is History but Unscientific Waste Management Persists 
IN DEPTH

Open Defecation is History but Unscientific Waste Management Persists 

Dal Lake Loses Sheen To Red Algae Bloom
ENVIRONMENT

Dal Lake Loses Sheen To Red Algae Bloom

Power Crisis Deepens In J&K, Govt ‘Finding Ways’
TOP STORIES

Power Crisis Deepens In J&K, Govt ‘Finding Ways’

Kargil All Set For Hill Council Polls Today
TOP STORIES

Kargil All Set For Hill Council Polls Today

Opposition Parties To Hold Peaceful Protest In Jammu On Oct 10: Farooq Abdullah
TOP STORIES

Opposition Parties To Hold Peaceful Protest In Jammu On Oct 10: Farooq Abdullah

Next Post
JKP To Get American Assault Rifles, Pistols To Fight Militants

JKP To Get American Assault Rifles, Pistols To Fight Militants

2 Militants Killed in Shootouts Near Srinagar’s Shalimar Garden

Kashmir Records Four Gunfights in First 4 Days of New Year

Please login to join discussion

Pages

  • ABOUT US
  • ADVERTISE IN KO
  • ARCHIVE
  • BE PART OF QUALITY JOURNALISM
  • CONTACT
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • INTERNSHIPS AT OBSERVER
  • JOBS@KO
  • KO – Homepage
  • MISSION STATEMENT
  • POLICIES
    • COMMENTING GUIDELINES
    • COOKIE POLICY
    • DISCLAIMER
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS
  • Refund Policy
  • Team

SEARCH IN ARCHIVE

No Result
View All Result

FOLLOW US

About Us

The media in Kashmir, comprising a robust English and vernacular press has a particularly unenviable job to do. The problems faced by it are both universal to the conflict situations and unique to the region. Read More

Advertising

For Advertising on various Kashmir Observer platforms
contact

[email protected]
+91-194-2502327; +91-1947969705

© 1997 -2023 | KASHMIR OBSERVER LLP

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    • TOP STORIES
    • LOCAL
    • CITY
    • REGIONAL
    • WORLD
  • IN DEPTH
    • FEATURE
    • HEADS & TAILS
    • OPINION
      • OPINION
      • EDITORIAL
      • KO ANALYSIS
      • LETTERS TO EDITOR
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • INTERVIEW
    • REVIEW
      • BOOKS
    • LONGFORM
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS NEWS
    • MARKET
    • ENERGY
    • HORTICULTURE
    • HANDICRAFTS
    • CARS & BIKES
    • STARTUP KASHMIR
  • SPORT
    • FOOTBAL
    • CRICKET
    • ADVENTURE SPORTS
    • GOLF
    • ATHLETICS
    • SKIING
    • OTHER SPORTS
  • MEDIA
  • PEOPLE
  • CULTURE
    • KHYEN CHYEN
    • ARTS
    • CRAFTS
    • FESTIVALS
    • THEATER
    • LANGAUGE
  • TRAVEL
    • HOUSEBOATS
    • HOTELS
    • ANGLING
    • CAMPING
    • DESTINATION FOCUS
  • SOCIETY
    • EDUCATION
    • HEADS & TAILS
    • GENDER
    • YOUTH
    • CHILD WELFARE
  • LITERATURE
    • SHORT STORY
    • BOOKS
    • NARRATIVE
  • CINEMA
    • CINEMA & TV
  • ePAPERS
    • BAZAAR OBSERVER
    • YOUNG KASHMIR
    • MIZRAB

© 1997 -2023 | KASHMIR OBSERVER LLP