Jammu, Nov 4 : The Jammu and Kashmir administration faced criticism on Saturday from the Congress, National Conference (NC), and CPI(M) for its warning to employees against participating in protests. This move has been characterized as an effort to “suppress any dissenting voices” within the Union Territory.
The administration, led by the lieutenant governor, cautioned employees on Friday, stating that engaging in proposed protests would result in disciplinary action. Citing the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules of 1971, it emphasized that government employees are prohibited from participating in or supporting any form of strike related to their service or the service of their colleagues.
Reacting to the development, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) senior vice-president and media in-charge Ravinder Sharma stated, “The administration, under the central government, aims to stifle any dissenting voices, which is highly concerning, and goes against the interests of employees and the public.” He emphasized that employees have a fundamental right to protest when the administration fails to address their legitimate concerns and called for an immediate withdrawal of the order. Sharma accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Union Territory administration of adopting a “dictatorial attitude” toward employees.
NC’s provincial secretary, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, pointed out that the order effectively silences anyone in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that while employees are subject to rules, they also have the right to defend themselves against injustice. Ahmad questioned the state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, 2019, when the provisions of Article 370 were revoked, turning the region into a virtual prison. He suggested that even political activists are hesitant to speak out, fearing arrest.
Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M Y Tarigami argued that the order contradicts the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions to which India is a signatory. He maintained that government employees resort to demonstrations or rallies when their legitimate demands go unmet. Tarigami asserted that this directive represents another infringement on the constitutional rights of employees and workers.
The Left party vowed to resist any efforts to curtail the legitimate rights of the working class. Tarigami alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has failed to address the genuine issues of its employees, particularly daily wage workers and scheme workers who have gone unpaid for months. Instead of addressing these concerns, the administration appears intent on suppressing dissenting voices.
