Jammu, June 25: BJP District Jammu observed “Black Day” at the party headquarters in Kachi Chawni, Jammu, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

Sunil Sharma, General Secretary of J&K BJP and Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, was the chief speaker at the event. He was accompanied by BJP Vice-President & MLA Yudhvir Sethi, Secretary & MLA Arvind Gupta, BHO Headquarter Incharge Priya Sethi, and Chief Spokesperson Adv. Sunil Sethi.

The event was organized by BJP District Jammu under the leadership of District President Adv. Rajesh Gupta.

Prominent leaders including J&K BJP Secretary Anju Dogra, former Mayor Rajinder Sharma, District Prabhari Rajiv Charak, Protocol secretary Sanjay Khanna, Puneet Mahajan, District Team, Mandal team and other senior functionaries were also present.

The programme featured the inauguration of an exhibition that highlighted the horrors of the Emergency and the brutal suppression of civil liberties during that period.

Senior leaders of the BJP honoured and felicitated those who suffered atrocities during the Emergency, acknowledging their resilience and sacrifices.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Sharma condemned the Emergency as the darkest chapter in India’s democratic history. “Today, we mark Black Day to remember how Congress trampled upon democracy, suspended civil liberties, and pushed the nation into an era of dictatorship. Over 1 lakh political workers were jailed, tortured, and silenced. The same Congress now pretends to uphold the Constitution it once betrayed,” Sharma said. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasizing that today’s India is governed with transparency, accountability, and democratic values.

Sunil Sharma said, “The programme serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the 21-month-long Emergency that saw thousands of political activists jailed and press freedoms crushed.”

Yudhvir Sethi stated that the Emergency was a direct attack on every citizen’s rights and freedom. “Those who talk of saving the Constitution today had once torn it to shreds for power. BJP will continue to educate the new generation about these misdeeds,” he asserted.

Arvind Gupta reminded the gathering that the Emergency was not just a political blunder but a humanitarian crisis. “We must never forget the forced sterilizations, press gagging, and custodial torture that happened. The youth of today must be told the truth.”

Priya Sethi added, “Congress betrayed the trust of the people. They turned governance into tyranny. It is BJP’s duty to ensure such a day never returns.”

Adv. Sunil Sethi said “This observance is our reminder and resolve—such days must never return to our country.”

Adv. Rajesh Gupta thanked the senior leadership for their presence and emphasized that every booth-level worker of BJP is committed to safeguarding democracy.

Baldev Singh Billawaria, former Deputy Mayor JMC, addressed a similar programme in BJP District Basohli at Billawar.

Samba, June 25: A 47-year-old Village Defence Guard (VDG) allegedly shoot himself dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Wednesday, officials said.

Omkar Nath used his own muzzle loading gun to end his life inside his house at Nichla village in Ghagwal district, the officials said.

They said Nath’s family rushed to his room on hearing the gunshot and found him dead.

The motive behind his extreme step was not known immediately, the officials said, adding that police have started inquest proceedings in the matter.

Srinagar, June 25: Demanding that the central government come clean about its intentions, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he is ready to make way for a BJP Chief Minister if that is what it takes to restore statehood to J&K.

Omar said the central government should clearly state whether statehood will only be granted under a BJP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir.

“If statehood needs a BJP CM, I’ll step aside. At least the people of Jammu and Kashmir will get back their statehood,” he said.

Omar asserted that his government is fully committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people over a five-year term. He emphasized that expectations must align with democratic timelines.

“The mandate given to me is not for five weeks or five months, but for five years,” he said.

Highlighting recent developments, Omar noted improvements in the electricity supply compared to last year and progress on major infrastructure projects.

“Only yesterday, we approved a ₹10,600 crore package for road and tunnel connectivity,” he said.

Responding to PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baigh’s remark that he should resign if he cannot deliver, Omar said: “Why should I resign? Did anyone resign in 2016 when people were dying? Back then, we were hearing about milk and toffees. No apology was ever made.”

Defending his government’s record, Omar said, “We haven’t betrayed our mandate. Did you expect the Assembly to pass a resolution for special status? You didn’t. But we did it.”

On the reservation issue, Omar said the matter has been referred to the Law Department for legal clarity.

“We want to ensure that no Cabinet decision gets stuck in court. That’s why we’ve followed due process,” he said.

He added that the sub-committee on reservation had worked faster than expected. “Many thought the committee would take six years, but it completed its report and submitted it quickly,” he said. “This problem wasn’t created by me, but I’m trying to solve it,” he added.

Omar also criticized PDP leaders for their silence when reservation quotas were being increased.

“Where was Mehbooba Mufti’s voice then? Where was Sajjad Lone’s voice? They were busy looking for government houses and security,” he said.

He alleged that PDP leaders avoided raising objections to safeguard electoral interests. “They wanted both Pahari and Gujjar votes in Rajouri-Poonch. So they told their candidates not to say a word about reservation. Now, after losing the elections, they are suddenly raising their voices,” he said.

He said the Cabinet will soon take a final call on the reservation issue once the Law Department completes its review.

“We are not touching the part of reservation that comes under Parliament. But we will act on the part that is within our authority,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that the government will avoid any move that could be legally challenged.

“We want to make decisions that are legally sound and beneficial to the people,” he said. (KNS)

Jammu, Jun 25: Nine men were rescued Wednesday in a joint operation by police and SDRF teams after they were trapped in the Tawi river following a sudden rise in the water level due to rains that lashed many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Heavy rains also disrupted traffic along Jammu-Srinagar national highway for over three hours this morning, while a couple of vehicles were also washed away due to overflowing of a stream in Rajouri district, the officials said.

Madan Lal (52), a labourer, had gone for sand extraction in the Tawi around 8.45 am but got trapped due to sudden rise in the water level near Jewel chowk bridge in the city.

He was rescued by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel who dropped a ladder from the bridge and managed to pull him out after remaining trapped for around two hours, the officials said.

Eight more people, including some who had gone for “Pind Daan’, were rescued in a joint operation by police, traffic cops, SDRF and local volunteers, the officials said.

Several trapped horses were also rescued during the operation, the officials said.

A traffic department spokesman said mudslides triggered by heavy rains blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Mehad and T2 tunnel in Ramban area around 6.30 am, forcing suspension of traffic from both sides.

However, the traffic resumed after the concerned road clearance agencies removed the debris within three hours, he said.

The officials said an overflowing stream caused a flood-like situation in Kheora, Lower Jawahar Nagar and Thudi in Rajouri town, while a couple of vehicles parked on the banks of the stream also got washed away.

According to the meteorological department, Katra town of Reasi district recorded the highest 108.5 mm of rainfall, followed by Rajouri (80 mm), Udhampur district (71.4 mm), Poonch (48 mm) and Ramban (47.5 mm) during the past 24 hours.

The weather office has predicted intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places with possibility of heavy rain at a few places of Jammu division till June 27.