JAMMU, Jul 20: Human Rights Activist Om Parkash Khajuria on Monday asserted that frequent protests by different sections of society are indicative of a governance deficit, alleging that they reflect a failure on the part of governments to ensure transparency, accountability and timely resolution of public grievances.
Reacting to the recent protests by students and the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Khajuria said that in a healthy democratic system, governance should be responsive enough to address issues through dialogue and effective administration, thereby preventing situations where people are compelled to take to the streets.
“Whenever citizens, students, employees or any other section of society are forced to protest, it raises serious questions about the effectiveness of governance. Protests are often the outcome of unresolved grievances and inadequate communication between the administration and the people,” he said.
Khajuria maintained that transparency, accountability and public engagement are the cornerstones of good governance and urged authorities at every level to adopt a more proactive approach in addressing public concerns before they escalate into agitations.
Expressing deep concern over the recurring devastation caused by monsoon rains, cloudbursts and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the human rights activist said the repeated loss of precious human lives, livestock, homes and public infrastructure is alarming and calls for urgent policy intervention.
He observed that every monsoon brings with it heartbreaking stories of families losing their loved ones, livelihoods and lifelong savings, while many remote villages remain cut off due to damaged roads and bridges. “The increasing frequency of such disasters should compel authorities to strengthen preparedness rather than merely respond after tragedies occur,” he remarked.
Khajuria questioned why, despite significant advancements in weather forecasting, satellite monitoring, remote sensing and communication technologies, the administration often appears ill-equipped to minimise the impact of natural calamities.
“We are living in an era of advanced technology, artificial intelligence and real-time weather monitoring. Yet, every year we witness avoidable tragedies, delayed rescue operations and inadequate preparedness. This situation demands serious introspection and corrective action,” he said.
He stressed that scientific forecasting must be complemented by effective dissemination of early warnings to people living in vulnerable areas, particularly in the hilly and flood-prone regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Timely evacuation, pre-positioning of rescue teams and availability of emergency equipment, he said, can significantly reduce casualties during extreme weather events.
Khajuria also advocated strengthening the disaster management framework by ensuring better coordination among the civil administration, police, disaster response forces, health departments and local bodies. He called for regular mock drills, community awareness programmes and improved emergency response mechanisms, especially in districts prone to cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods.
Emphasising that disaster preparedness should be treated as a year-round priority rather than a seasonal exercise, he urged the administration to invest in resilient infrastructure, restore natural drainage systems, improve road connectivity in remote areas and establish efficient emergency communication networks.
The human rights activist further appealed to policymakers to formulate long-term strategies to address the growing challenges posed by climate change, saying that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and demand a comprehensive and forward-looking response.
Khajuria concluded by saying that safeguarding human life must remain the foremost responsibility of every government. “Good governance is reflected not merely in responding to crises after they occur, but in anticipating risks, preventing avoidable losses and ensuring that every citizen feels secure. Public confidence is built through transparency, preparedness and timely action,” he added.