Tarigami urges secular forces to unite against emerging challenges

Kulgam, Aug 25: Senior CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Sunday urged all secular forces to narrow down their differences and unite to address the emerging challenges.

“All secular parties must accommodate the concerns of each other so that we could fight this challenging situation together”, Tarigami told reporters in Kulgam on the sidelines of a youth convention organised by Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Youth Federation (JKDYF).

He said that the government would make attempts to undermine such unification efforts by employing various tactics.

“But I am hopeful that our political leaders and ground workers in both Jammu and Kashmir will unite to safeguard the secular traditions and rights of the people”, said Tarigami.

Criticising the government for amending the transaction rules framed under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, Tarigami said, the amendments have strengthened the authority of Lieutenant Governor by vesting more powers in him.

“Instead of restoring the statehood as ordered by the Supreme Court, the government disempowered the Assembly by effecting such amendments”, Tarigami said.

He said that the budgetary powers of police have now been brought under the control of Centre to exert more influence over the police force.

Launching a tirade on the BJP government, Tarigami said that the current dispensation is shying away from sharing its report card with the public .

“This government has been in power since 2014, yet what have they done about the rising inflation and unemployment? There is a stark contrast between their words and actions”, he said.

Underscoring the issues of youth, Tarigami said that any political process is meaningless unless it addresses the issues concerning youth.

“ There are a plethora of issues that are confronting our youth. I believe that debates and discussions on such issues are crucial to find solutions to such problems”, Tarigami said.

Appealing to the political parties to prioritise the issues of youth, Tarigami said that the political parties in the upcoming assembly must highlight the problems confronting youth.

“The issue of unemployment has become a major concern for our educated youth, who are struggling hard to find jobs amidst rising unemployment levels”, Tarigami said.