Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 28

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Valmikis of Jammu on Tuesday announced that they would mobilise the Dalits across the country against the Congress for supporting Article 35A.

The decision was taken to mount pressure on the Congress not to support the ‘discriminatory’ Article which had ‘deprived’ the Valmikis, living in Jammu since 1957, of their constitutional rights.

“Being a minuscule community in J&K, we are the victims of majoritarianism and our voice has always been gagged by the ruling elites. No political party has shown any interest in liberating our community from the yoke of slavery,” said Garu Bhatti, president of the Valmiki Samaj, Jammu.

Bhatti said: “We have decided to approach the Dalit organisations across the country to highlight our plight before the nation and to teach a lesson to those who are supporting the Article.”

Although the Valmikis made it clear that they would mobilise the Dalits against the supporters of Article 35A, their nationwide mobilisation campaign is likely to target the Congress for supporting the provision.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief GA Mir recently interacted with a group of Valmikis but failed to give any concrete assurance to the community members on the Article.

“Congress leaders of J&K have warned of bloodshed and violence in case the discriminatory Article was abrogated,” Bhatti said. He said the supporters of Article 35A would have to face the wrath of the Dalits across the country in the coming elections. Although the details of the nationwide campaign would be announced within a week, Valmikis have decided to send teams of educated youth to various parts of the country to meet community members.