Reason: Land transfer issue in Jammu

Origin of this issue: Forty acres of forest land were transferred to the authorities of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to be used by pilgrims in Jammu & Kashmir. The order was given by the Government on request by the Shrine Board. Protests arise against this by Muslims, accusing the Government of trying to turn the Muslim majority state into a Muslim minority. Consequently, to solve troubles the chairman of the Shrine Board who is also the Governor agrees to give up the land on the condition the pilgrims would be well looked after. So the Government revokes the order to store peace. Unfortunately peace was not stored.

Some parties decide that its time for another HARTAL! For a land transfer issue in Jammu, the whole country stood still on July 3rd 2008. Correction, standing still would be paradise when you look at the wreck it caused. In Jammu 2 people lost lives and many more wounded. And far away in Madhya Pradesh, is where most lives were lost – 6! One day these people were going about their own business and the next day they get themselves killed because of some 40 acres of forestland given or not given to some board!

If these political parties had put in more thought into this and had not called for the hartal then these victims might have been alive today. There are many of us who do reflect, who do think and who feel totally miserable about this. But we shudder and give up when we think what can one person do about all this? But if all these people joined hands they were not going to be alone anymore. Unfairness and injustice rules this world only because they have force on their side. If we formed a fair side for justice on the other end, we would have force too. And only force and numbers can defeat the other side. So join this cause to fight the enemies, to fight hartals, to fight injustice. And most importantly to restore peace.