In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family

JAMMU: Reprehensible, but hardly surprising: CM Omar Abdullah once again chooses to “other” the very community that has suffered for decades and continues to remain the soft target of political indifference. His remarks on the grievances of PM Package employees awaiting transit accommodation expose not only a disturbing disconnect from facts on the ground, but also the mindset of the party he represents.

This was stated by Girdhari Lal Raina, former MLC and Spokesperson, BJP J&K, while reacting to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s response to a question regarding the grievances of PM Package employees waiting for accommodation.

“Instead of lecturing affected employees from the comfort of his office, the Chief Minister should have shown the basic sensitivity expected of someone holding the highest elected office in the Union Territory. He should visit the sites, inspect the progress of transit accommodation and witness firsthand the status of construction and the conditions in which these employees are being forced to live. One visit would demolish the convenient fiction being peddled about their grievances,” Raina said.

Raina said that more than 3,000 employees belonging to the minority community continue to live in rented accommodation across the Kashmir Valley, despite the prolonged demand for secure transit accommodation. “These are not people demanding privileges. They are employees who are  seeking nothing more than safe and dignified accommodation,” he said.

He further pointed out that accommodation allotments have been reportedly made even against quarters that are still under construction, and in some cases against quarters that have not even been constructed. “How can the government expect employees to treat such allotments as a solution to their immediate and genuine security concerns?” he asked.

“When a Chief Minister refuses to see the victims, dismisses their lived reality and comments on their grievances without even examining the facts, it is no longer mere ignorance—it is political indifference masquerading as governance,” Raina asserted.

Terming the Chief Minister’s description of the employees’ genuine grievances as ‘riwayat’ as deeply unfortunate, Raina said that reducing legitimate concerns about safety, accommodation and dignity to a political cliché demonstrates a shocking lack of sensitivity.

“Let there be no misunderstanding: the security concerns of these employees are real. The government cannot wish them away by dismissing them or ridiculing their concerns. And God forbid, if any untoward incident occurs because of administrative neglect, the political and administrative responsibility of the government cannot be wished away either.”

Raina demanded that the Chief Minister stop making political pronouncements from a distance and instead visit the transit accommodation sites, assess the actual progress, meet the affected employees and provide a time-bound plan for safe and dignified accommodation. “Governance begins with listening to citizens and seeing their reality—not denying it from behind an office desk,” Raina concluded.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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