Jammu, Feb 21:
In a move that signals a heating up of regional politics in the Union Territory, prominent activist Ajay Singh Saini, representing EkkJutt Jammu, has issued a provocative call for the full statehood of Jammu, independent of Kashmir.
Speaking at a packed press conference today, Saini vowed to lead a direct confrontation against the “Kashmir-based political leadership,” accusing them of systematic discrimination that has treated Jammu as a “second-class region” for over seven decades.
The Charge: 75 Years of “Systemic Downgrading”
Saini pulled no punches, naming successive regimes from Sheikh Abdullah to current Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He argued that the political center of gravity in Srinagar has consistently stifled Jammu’s economic and social potential.
“From our economy to our opportunities, Jammu’s status has been systematically downgraded. This is not just neglect; it is a calculated bias,” Saini asserted.
Key Allegations Against the Current NC Government:
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Assembly Bias: Saini claimed even BJP legislators are being silenced by a “biased Speaker” who favors Kashmiri interests.
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Land Issues: A startling claim that approximately 90% of encroached land in the region involves Kashmiri interests.
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Institutional Failure: The stalled establishment of the National Law University (NLU) in Jammu was cited as a prime example of administrative apathy.
A Growing List of Grievances
The EkkJutt Jammu platform outlined a “Charter of Neglect” that they claim has pushed the region to a breaking point:
The Ultimate Demand: “Alag Jammu Rajya”
The press conference concluded with a definitive shift in strategy. Saini stated that temporary fixes are no longer enough, and the only “viable and lasting solution” is the separation of Jammu from Kashmir.
“The time has come to govern ourselves. Our identity is EkkJutt, and a separate Jammu State is our resolve,” Saini declared, echoing the slogan: “EkkJutt hamari pehchaan aur alag Jammu Rajya hamara sankalp.”
EkkJutt Jammu has announced plans to mobilize all ten districts of the Jammu province. Saini warned that the demand for a separate state will be escalated on a “much larger scale” in the coming weeks, calling on civil society and local activists to unite under their banner.
