Srinagar, August 13:(KNS)  The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference onFriday stated that social justice and empowerment of marginalized sections of society is the cornerstone of the party’s ideology, saying the party has worked for the liberation of humanity from all kinds of exploitation and enslavement.

This was said by party’s Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal while expressing concern over the attempts to disfigure the legacy of JKNC in the liberation of Schedules Castes of Jammu and Kashmir from the shackles of bondage and caste discrimination. “There are attempts to disfigure and debase NC’s legacy for Socio-political and economic emancipation of marginalized social castes.  The euphoria generated that dalits and other weaker sectors of the JK benefiting from rescinding of Articles 370 is a farce, which conveniently ignores that Jammu and Kashmir has the lowest rate of crime against scheduled castes, which account for just 0.2 % of the total national level.

While as it is the BJP ruled states make most of the percentage of the crimes committed against SCs.  The NCRB, 2019 data puts Gujarat at fourth position and Madhya Pradesh at second position.  The figures speak for themselves.  Further, the practice of seizing land of SCs and STs was unknown in JK. It was only after BJP had its hands on the helm of power in JK that the instances of land seizures of SCs, and STs took place. The instances saw an upswing with each passing year.  Such land seizures have become a major concern for Gujjars,  Bakarwals and other marginalized segments,” he said.

He further said that there has been no viable effort towards giving agricultural land to rural SCs, the reports of successive committees supporting the position is gathering dust in the offices. While under the leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir and the guiding principles of Naya Kashmir manifesto, the NC showed keenness in distributing and to landless SCs across Jammu, and Kashmir. It is universally acclaimed that the abolition of big landed estates and land to tiller measures was a shot in arm for the SC community.  It was NC that changed their fate with a stroke of pen and made them the masters of their own destinies. During the successive years , the NC led governments formed a state advisory board of development for schedule castes, J&K SC, ST, BC development corporation besides  reserving seats  for them in professional institutions,” he said.

Kamal said the party’s vision has from time to time spelled out an inclusive idea of growth, development and progress. “Ours is a party that primarily draws its strength from marginalized people. Our seriousness on socio-political emancipation can be well gauged from our track record. We are a party that believes in fraternity of all. Our party has never lost sight of the issues confronted by SC, STs and OBCs. For any development to take place, it has to be inclusive,” he said.(KNS)