Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 2: Not to talk of the fate of the assurances on the floor of the State Legislature by the respective Governments as per poor track record available so far and the non-seriousness shown towards most of the decisions taken in the District Development Board meetings in the State; even the assurances coming from the former Prime Ministers’ of this country, carried “zero impact” right from the time of Indira Gandhi or even earlier up to the regime of Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.
Nothing much has changed for over 32,000 families of PoJK refugees and over 18,800 families of West Pakistan refugees of 1947 besides nearly 17,000 families of displaced persons (DPs) of 1965 and 1971 in last about four to six decades. They have been fighting for justice for the last many decades but have received nothing except lip sympathy and false assurances from the leaders of various political parties including Ministers, Chief Ministers and even the several Union Home Ministers and the Prime Ministers in the past.
“If the assurances from the Prime Minister of this largest democracy in the world, have met with such a fate in the past, then on whom the people of the country would trust? Whose words will carry some value or become credible voice in the country? On whom the people would rely and have faith with a strong feeling of getting true justice,” these were the remarks of PoJK refugee SK Bakshi when his comments were sought on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to J&K.
Originally hailing from Mirpur in PoK, this elderly refugee community member pointed out that veteran refugee leaders like Bachan Singh Panchi, Pt Hem Raj, Des Raj and others fought for the cause of displaced community for long and perished. Now, the next generation leaders like Labba Ram Gandhi, Rajiv Chuni, Capt Yudhvir Singh Chib, Dr Gurmeet Singh and Capt Nagyal and others are waging the struggle. He said the condition of refugees is not good even today.
When asked about the expectations from the visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is arriving here on November 7, Mr Bakshi said as per past bitter experiences, except false assurances from several PMs and other top leaders, they have received nothing. The refugees have been demanding one time settlement of their issues. Several Commissions and Committees were framed in the past by respective Governments just to buy time and befool the displaced community but the outcome was ‘zero’. Even the Wadhwa Committee Report was not made public as most of the leaders and their parties lack will to do something for this most neglected community.
Ch Sham Lal, another PoK refugee now settled in Hiranagar border belt told the Excelsior that refugees have not much hope from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is visiting J&K on November 7. He said people of the State had high hopes from Modi when he took over the regime as new PM. One and half year has passed but no development has been achieved with regard to the settlement of refugees issue. Modi during his Hiranagar rally had assured to provide justice to West Pak refugees and DPs of PoK but nothing has happened so far. But even then, the people of this community (DPs) still have high hopes that Modi Govt can provide them the much awaited justice. “Many PMs have seen till today and received their assurances, now let us see whether Modi ji transform his words into action or not,” Mr Lal maintained.
Referring to their meetings with the Prime Ministers right from Indira Gandhi, Chander Shekhar, PV Narsimha Rao, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh and even Narendra Modi; the refugee leaders- Capt Yudhbir Singh, Rajiv Chuni and Labba Ram Gandhi said they met the then Prime Minister Chander Shekhar in the company of veteran refugee leader late Bachan Singh Panchhi, the then MP Sheikh Abdul Rehman and others in Delhi.
All the refugee leaders discussed in detail their issues and a strong and positive assurance came from the PM. But nothing happened. They also met Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee at 7 Race Course residence of the PM and Dy PM, L K Advani in Delhi. The refugees’ leaders were very hopeful with the kind of assurance received from these leaders and the instructions were passed on by them immediately to the different officials, but the impact was again zero. It seemed that their words went into the deaf ears of ‘Babus’. They again met Vajpayee during his Jammu visit in 2003 but outcome was again ‘big zero’.
They did not leave hope and met the UPA Govt’s Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh three times. Once at SKICC, Srinagar along with refugee leaders delegation, one time in Delhi and once in Jammu. Top Congress leaders were also around but nothing happened despite tall assurances. Even they met the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad along with other leaders, but got lip sympathy.
Top BJP leader and incharge J&K affairs of the party Avinash Rai Khanna, Dr Jitendra Singh (MoS), BJP president Jugal Kishore (MP), gave assurances before Lok Sabha elections to resolve their issue within six months after coming to power, but now they prefer to avoid refugee community. PoK refugees have always been used as vote bank by the politicians. They also mentioned about their meeting with Mr Modi in Delhi on May 7 this year and are hoping for the positive results.
Referring to Wadhwa Committee report, they said there are 31,600 registered families of PoK refugees besides 18824 WPRs. They have been demanding one time settlement, reservation for their wards in professional institutions and jobs besides eight reserved seats in the J&K Legislature. Even JPC has given clear directions to the Government but nothing has happened till today. West Pak refugees and even their children born here have not been given citizenship rights even after 60 years. This is big tragedy for them in this part of the world, they maintained.
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