KATHUA: Former Member Parliament, Ch Lal Singh has said that people of Jammu must learn from the people of Ladakh how to fight unitedly for their rights and burning issues. While addressing a large rally at Ram Lila Ground, Kathua after paying tributes to the martyrs of the Jammu and Kashmir, Lal Singh said after the abrogation of Article 370 and breaking this historic state into two Union Territories, the people of Kargil and Leh districts of Ladakh UT launched a united struggle against the Government of India, demanding statehood and other rights. Their massive prolonged united agitation made the Union Government to invite their leaders for talks. They have shown the unity and they made Central leadership to come out for dialogue. The Jammu people must learn from them, he asserted. Unfortunately, the ‘so called’ leaders of Jammu never raised any voice for the rights of their own people. He said even in some states there is Art 371. The rights on the land and jobs of the locals have not been protected here. The big contracts and mining activities have also gone in the hands of outsiders. The unemployed youth are frustrated. Lal Singh said that our country is safe because of our martyrs and Dogras, being a marshal race having nationalistic character. J&K has the highest number of war heroes who laid down their lives for protecting the country. It’s the Dogra race only which gave its blood to extend its boundaries upto Skardu, Gilgit, Baltistan and made our country so proud. But he regretted that our Governments have never returned to the martyrs or their families which actually they deserve. In a very hard hitting speech, Ch Lal Singh said, ” I am passing through a very critical phase of my life because of my political stand for the empowerment of Jammu but your strength and support has never let me down and I am ready to fight till my last breath and last drop of my blood for the dignity, respect of my people and my country.” He appealed the mammoth gathering to remain united irrespective of any caste, creed and religion which is the only panacea for all the challenges our society is facing these days. He further said that he always tried to give equal treatment to all castes, religions and faiths including Gujjars, Bakarwal, Gaddis, Sippis, Sikhs and Hindus. Earlier, a grand on-foot rally was taken out by thousands of people led by Ch Lal Singh from Kali Barhi to Shaheedi Chowk and then up to Ram Lila Ground at Kathua town. A large number of ex-servicemen also participated. They paid floral tributes to the martyrs. Prominent among those present included families of martyrs, Kanta Andotra Ex-MLA, Dr Hari Dutt Shishu, Advocate BS Jamwal, Prof HR Sharma, Advocate TN Gupta, Suman Wazir, Jatinder Papu, Narinder Sambyal, Rajinder Singh Bubby, Romesh Tickoo and many others.
