SRINAGAR: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sham Lal Sharma on Tuesday said that if Jammu and Kashmir are to remain united, decisions must be taken judiciously and the sentiments of the people of Jammu must be respected.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma said that Jammu has often had to struggle to secure major institutions and development projects. He said that whether it was AIIMS, medical colleges or the IIT, the people of Jammu had to fight consistently to ensure these facilities were sanctioned for the region.
Sharma asserted that repeated instances of what he termed discrimination against Jammu have created a sense of alienation among certain sections of the population. Sharma warned that such treatment forces some groups to even think in terms of separation from Kashmir, which he said was unhealthy for the overall unity of the region.
Sharma stressed that equitable development and fair decision-making are essential to maintain harmony between the two regions. He said ignoring Jammu’s concerns weakens trust and deepens regional divides.
Sham Lal Sharma, who earlier served as Health Minister during the National Conference Congress coalition government, later switched sides and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is considered a senior and influential political figure from the Jammu region.
He called upon policymakers to address Jammu’s issues with seriousness and fairness, stating that balanced development alone can ensure lasting unity between Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
