Sir,
This is apropos the ongoing violent protests in Kashmir valley with active support of branded separatists and the Kashmir centric politicians in relation to the initial step of resolution of long pending issue of permanent settlement of West Pak refugees in J&K State who got displaced in consequence of tragic, violent, unscientific and grossly mismanaged division of the country in which common masses of the established Indian pluralistic society had no defined role but the excruciating pangs of partition and subsequent apathetic treatment for permanent settlement as citizens of the state. Their sordid journey of trials and tribulations has not yet ended but continue with the heightened intensity.
Having said that it is now worthwhile to turn focus on the role of current coalition govt., almost equally representing both the regions. The issue of settlement of West Pakistan refugees is also part of agenda of alliance agreed to be the pivot of governance of both the partners. The Union Govt. has already given instructions to the state govt. to issue domicile/ nativity certificate to the aggrieved so called refugees(in fact they were citizens of undivided India) clamoring for comprehensive citizenship rights since 1947 partition inferno. This proactive initiative of central Govt. draws strength from a recent apex court judgment on J&K constitution wherein the learned judges have ruled “state of J&K has no vestige of sovereignty outside the constitution of India and its own constitution is subordinate to the constitution of India.” The other moot point in this burning matter is that the WPRS were never foreign nationals. They were and are Indian citizens and Kashmir is integral part of India, they, therefore, have natural right to rehabilitation in Kashmir at par with other refugees who have been settled in other states with equal citizenship rights.
The undesirable opposition stems from unhealthy mindset, politics of convenience and imaginary fear of demographic change on account of absorption of 1.5 lac west Pak refugees. This bizarre perception is unfounded, illegitimate, inhuman and contrary to the spirit and laid down provisions of Indian constitution which disfavor population imbalance in any part of the country. PDP too is by and large Kashmir centric, therefore, may dither and its their feet due to the fear of erosion of their electoral base in the valley but Jammu BJP shall be writing their premature obituary in the event of their failure to hold nerves and the ground while confronting the valley blitzkrieg of forces inimical to the settlement of hapless West Pak Hindu refugees. They are on test to face the brute. The disgruntledJammuites are watching and tracking the developments from your side. Beware BJP, This is one time opportunity to perform or perish.
Yours etc….
P C Sharma,
Trikuta Nagar,
Jammu
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