KASHMIR LIFE (KL): You have been propounding the Jammu Declaration. Your party is a signatory of the Gupkar Declaration. What is the difference between the two?
DEVENDER SINGH RANA: (DSR): The Jammu Declaration is an idea emanating out of the pluralistic ethos of Jammu. It is inclusive and represents all regions, subregions and religions of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a process to facilitate inter-regional and intra-regional dialogue between divergent religions and regions, which have developed fault lines. There is an urgent need to relook at the entire Jammu and Kashmir so that it can be restored to its pristine glory. And, Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim dominated place that would benefit from a Declaration emanating from the minority community dominated region of Jammu.
KL: Does that mean the Gupkar Declaration didn’t encompass all these things?
DSR: The two declarations aren’t competitive.
KL: Then what is the need for it? Is it mandated by your party?
DSR: The Jammu Declaration is essentially a declaration emanating from Jammu for the entire Jammu and Kashmir. I believe everybody should welcome it. It is for the first time that a political narrative is being brought out from Jammu. My party not mandating it is not the question because it is something that doesn’t pertain to politics at all. I have been advocating that all political leaders should keep their political ideologies in cold storage for some time and rise above party lines and help each other.
KL: But isn’t this a clash between Jammu and Gupkar Declaration creating a wedge between the Kashmir and Jammu regions?
This story is from the March 14, 2021 edition of Kashmir Life.
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This story is from the March 14, 2021 edition of Kashmir Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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