People's Democracy

J&KDYF Organises Convention On Vital Issues

Tarigami addressing the convention.

ORGANISED by the Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Youth Federation (JKDYF) at Tagore Hall in Srinagar on December 17, the one-day convention turned out to be a remarkable success. Despite the extremely cold weather, the response was so big that not only was the hall jam-packed, thousands of youth had to stand outside as there was no space left inside the hall. The convention was organised to highlight the problems being faced by the youth of the state.

Presided over by JKDYF president Kishore Kumar, the convention was addressed by CPI(M) state secretary M Y Tarigami, DYFI president K N Balagopal, JKDYF general secretary Mohd Amin and joint secretary Javaid Ahmad Zargar.

While addressing the convention, Tarigami said the Kashmir issue must have a solution that is acceptable to the people of the state and is also in the interest of both India and Pakistan. He urged the governments of India and Pakistan to reduce the level of troops on both sides of the LoC. He added that time has come for the people to forge a secular and democratic movement so that their rights are given prime importance and that the people do not feel strangers in their own land. Today, instead of finding respectable jobs in the private or government sector, the Kashmiri youth are landing in jails. This needs to be changed immediately.

Balagopal said we fight for democratic rights and oppose all draconian laws that are in force here and cause unnecessary hardships to the people of the state. He assured the youth of J&K that the DYFI will always stand by their side in their democratic struggles for employment, dignity and peace. He further said that, apart from problems facing the Indian youth, the J&K youth are facing some additional problems. To these the government of India must pay special attention.

Mohd Amin urged the political leadership of the state to raise the issues facing the youth on priority basis. Stoking emotions cannot solve the day to day problems of the youth, like unemployment. He said the government must provide necessary infrastructure so that indigenous industries are revived, tourism is developed and water resources are tapped. These can create lakhs of jobs for the J&K youth who are at present passing through a stage of frustration. He asked the youth to unite and launch a democratic movement for redressal of their problems. 

Through resolutions the convention urged the government to provide unemployment allowance to the youth till they get employment, generate employment opportunities, withdraw draconian laws, release all innocent youth languishing in jails without trial, and restore basic human rights and civil liberties. It also urged the governments of India and Pakistan to facilitate the return of such youth as have crossed to the other side of LoC but are not willing to come back and lead a peaceful life. Another demand was for an increase in allocations for sports. 

After the convention’s conclusion, thousands of youth carrying flags and placards took out a procession from Tagore Hall to Jahangir Chowk where a rally was held.