Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 24: While terming the creation of seven more Assembly seats in J&K, a step in right direction Displaced Kashmiri Pandits however felt disappointed and dejected with the draft proposal of Delimitation Commission for not recommending political reservation for them in the State Assembly, despite being homeless, and identity less for last three decades.
This was disclosed by president – Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) and North India Coordinator – Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD), R K Bhat along with other core group members Sanjay Ganjoo, B K Bhat, Sanjeev Koul, Sanjay Raina, Naresh Ji, Vinod Bhat, Shakuntala, Sonu, Archana Sharma and Renu Raina during the press briefing here, today.
Pandits, who have been in exile after their exodus due to sudden rise in terrorism and targeted killings of community members since 1990, have sought an audience from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for reservation of seats after delimitation process in the newly constituted J&K Assembly. As original inhabitants of Kashmir with over 5,000-year-old history and civilization, “We consider ourselves as one of the key stakeholders in the Valley,. Our genocide and ethnic cleansing has yet to be redressed, as PM Modi is well aware”, he added.
Bhat said as proud citizens of India and residents of Kashmir, YAIKS would like the community to exercise their fundamental rights to be part of any new political initiative recommended by Delimitation Commission and planned by the GOI.
YAIKS demanded four Assembly and one Parliament seat be reserved for the KPs under the new set up.
It said the successive Governments have used KPs as a tool for over three decades and nothing has been done for the community. “We are still out of our homes and hearths and there is no body to represent the aspirations of the community. It is again reminded the State of India of its commitments towards the displaced people of Kashmir whose mass exodus was result of the failures of the successive governments. The political empowerment and reservation in the legislature could facilitate their return to their homeland Kashmir.
It said the displaced community at this hour of the crisis is looking forward for collective justice and fairness. This is possible by a clear reference to the GoI for taking up the required Constitutional measures in line with the Sikkim ‘Sangha’, Pudducherry Assembly model of nominations, erstwhile Parliamentary representation for Anglo-Indian community in the J&K Assembly and Parliament.
It further said the Modi Government is expected to play a decisive and historic role in this matter to strengthen the nationalist forces politically for the larger interests of the nation.
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