Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 5: Consequent upon the presentation made by the representatives of the minorities of Kashmir before the Delimitation Commission at New Delhi some days back, a Webinar was organised by VASUK Group-conferencing here, today.
The proceedings of the webinar titled, “Delimitation: A way ahead now after the presentation before the Commission” were conducted by Prof. Ritu Bakshi, Admin of the Group. The keynote address was made by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, senior BJP & KP leader and the concluding speech coupled with a vote of thanks was made by Utpal Kaul, India chapter Incharge, Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (JKPD).
The other participant speakers in the webinar included B.L.Saraf, Retd Principal District and Sessions judge, Vijay Bakaya, former MLC, Kuldeep Khuda, former DGP, Ashok Bhan, Senior Supreme Court of India, Yoginder Kaul, former IGP and P.N.Goja, senior Advocate, J&K High Court.
In his keynote address, Chrungoo said, “the delimitation issue will test the intent of the Indian State in regard to the displaced population of Kashmir which is living as refugees in their own country. The Delimitation Commission was apprised of the seriousness of the issue pertaining to the political empowerment, space and existence of the indegenous population of the Kashmir Valley which had to face terrorism, genocide and ethnic cleansing in the Valley. It is entirely an extraordinary situation that needs an extraordinary solution.
The Webinar resolved that the Delimitation is an issue linked to the existence of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the Valley. Vijay Bakaya fully supported the move for five seats for minorities of Kashmir in the Assembly through reservation or nomination.
B.L.Saraf said that the issue need not only to be viewed as a constitutional and legal issue. Ashok Bhan emphasized the need for supporting the campaign without any sort of subjective political leanings since the issue pertains to the main question as to how the Kashmiri Pandits can become a permanent part of the future political dispensation in J&K.
Kuldeep Khuda said that there has to be a direct communication with the Government of India and the ruling party as well on the issue.
P.N.Goja suggested amendment in the relevant section of the J&K Reorganisation Act so that the Delimitation Commission finds it palatable to go along with the suggestions and proposals made to it. Yoginder Kaul gave a brief about the gerrymandering of the erstwhile constituencies in the Valley that made the votes of Pandits ineffective. Utpal Kaul assured full support from JKPD.
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