In Ekta Manch, ‘Dogra’ replaces ‘Hindu’, courtesy Lal

TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/21/2018 10:30:00 AM Front Page

Leads 35-KM long ‘Swabhimaan’ march on foot, reiterates CBI probe demand

JAMMU: Steering away from the religious lines towards regional lines the agitation launched after he was made to resign from the state cabinet for his participation in a protest rally organised by Hindu Ekta Manch in support of accused in Rasana minor’s rape-and-murder, Choudhary Lal Singh on Sunday renamed the organisation, replacing the ‘Hindu’ in the name with ‘Dogra’, as he led a massive march from Lakhanpur to Hiranagar in Kathua district to press for a CBI probe into the case.

The roads were choked on Sunday with a sea of people marching with Lal, in the 'Dogra Swabhiman (self-esteem) rally' from Lakhanpur, bordering Punjab, to Londi Morh in Hiranagar, walking most of the 35-km distance barefoot, with other participants raising slogans in support of a CBI inquiry.
Lal Singh walked for nearly five hours on foot after which his supporters urged him to get into vehicle as he developed blisters on his feet.

Lal, in his address at Londi Morh, challenged the coalition government, including his own BJP party, asking it to either deliver justice to the people or sit back home.

Alleging that Kashmiri leadership is having the problem with the word ‘Hindu’ in Hindu Ekta Manch’, Lal renamed the organisation’s name to Dogra Ekta Manch.

“People from both Jammu region and Kashmir region have been fighting for the justice for the minor girl. But they see ‘Hindu’ in this organisation’s name and cast at us allegations. From today onwards, the people of Jammu region will fight for justice under the banner of ‘Dogra Ekta Manch’,” he told the participants, including people from all castes, creeds and even religion.

Lal and his colleague Chander Prakash Ganga had resigned from the Mehbooba Mufti-led government in April after they courted controversy by participating in a Hindu Ekta Manch rally in support of the eight people arrested by the crime branch in connection with the rape-murder case. After resigning, Singh started a campaign across the Jammu region and has organised dozens of rallies, candle-light marches and protests demanding CBI probe into the incident.

On Sunday, Lal reiterated his demand for CBI probe in the matter, terming it as the demand of the region, and necessary for the justice to be ensured.

"This rally is an answer to all those who labelled the Dogras of Jammu region as pro-rapist, hate-mongers and communal people with bigoted mindset and accused Dogras of creating hurdles in delivering justice in the rape and murder case," Singh said.

“We are demanding CBI Inquiry in the Rasana Case since people of Jammu region have raised serious questions on the manner in which Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police has conducted the probe. They have serious doubts. They are aggrieved and agitated. They are heart-broken and angry. They are appalled over the silence of the state government. They are perplexed why they are not being heard? “Why their side of the story is not being taken into account? The manner in which their demand for CBI inquiry is being declined does raise questions on the claims of the state government delivering Justice and being fair with Jammu region.

"An impression is being created that the demand for CBI probe is aimed at getting the eight people, who have been booked by the crime branch, bailed out," he said.

"We, the Dogras, have pledged that the real perpetrators of this crime would not be spared. Dogras of Jammu region will not rest till the time the state government recommends a CBI probe in the case," he said.

“I ask why did the state governments in the past approached CBI for cases where they found public opinion divided and people agitated in Kashmir valley. Why was CBI approached by the state government in 2003 Pathribal case, 2006 Kashmir Sex Scandel, 2009 Shopian Rape and Murder, and killing of 4 Air Force officers in the year 1990? High Court of Jammu and Kashmir handed over the investigation of the 2008 Mehran Latif Case to CBI. If the agency was trustworthy in the cases pertaining to Kashmir valley, why the same is being questioned in this Rasana Case? Jammu is asking and those in power should respond and give people straight answers.” said Lal.

“If the state government trusted its own police and Crime Branch, why these cases were handed over to CBI? Why? Why is the state government sure that the probe carried out by Crime Branch is fair when it was not sure about it in the past? Why we have dual parameters, one for Kashmir and other for Jammu. I do understand that communalizing Rasana Case would help those who have been virtually rejected by people of Kashmir valley. They are trying to find lost ground in Kashmir by rejecting demand for CBI probe in the Rasana case. Their approach is communal and one with biased mindset not ours,” he said.

Singh said, “If this govt (PDP-BJP coalition) cannot deliver justice to its people, then they have to go back home. The victim was our own daughter, I always pray that she may gets heaven, but justice should be delivered in any case.”

Taunting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for her comments of Jammu as an example of secularism, Lal accused her of being hypocrite.

“She says that Jammuites are secular. She says that when she goes to Kashmir, she feels insecure. However when it comes to justice, she denies.”

The BJP MLA from Basohli also asserted that today’s rally was ‘only a trailer’, which people of Jammu have shown to this government and if they will not release the truth, then ‘we will go for entire Jammu bandh soon.’

“I just want to tell all leaders of Jammu with pressure that if they want to continue with leadership of Jammu region, do stand with the rights of Dogras, otherwise quit from politics,” Singh, without naming any party or leader said in the rally.

He said, Dogra Swabhiman rally on May 20 is aimed at telling the whole world that brave Dogras of Jammu region would never stand for Rapists and Murders.

“Our demand is CBI probe. Our premise is that if the government does not trust Crime Branch for probes in Kashmir valley, why thrust the same agency on us? Why force us to accept the probe done by Crime Branch? Why should people not doubt the probe when High Court was approached for monitoring the Crime Branch probe? All had doubts and still have doubts. The entire Jammu region is looking at the state government with the hope that it would reconsider its stand and order a CBI probe,” he said.


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