Some people believe the new domicile law was designed to force homogenization in the region (representation)
New Delhi:
The new domicile rules in Jammu and Kashmir create moments of unease in each of the two main regions of the newly formed union territory. However, these apprehensions are for different reasons.
Residents of the Kashmir Valley say the new law is designed to change the demographics of the territory, while those in Jammu fear an influx of people from border areas.
The center has so far issued four lakh domicile certificates. According to the available data, 75% of these certificates (or three lakh certificates) were issued in Jammu.
“Almost 85 percent of the certificates of domicile issued were given to people who already had matters of state,” Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary (Revenue), told GalacticGaming.
According to Mr. Kotwal, the number of certificates issued to refugees in western Pakistan is not, so far, very large. “Those who apply, we grant them certificates,” he added.
The Interior Ministry said that to date, around 20,000 certificates have been issued to people in that region. Another 2,000 were given to people in the Valmiki community and 700 to the Gorkhas.
According to the ministry, most of these people live in the Kathua, Samba and Jammu regions, while a few of the Gorkhas reside in the Baramulla region.
The center had said the rules of domicile had been changed to benefit marginalized and minority groups in Jammu and Kashmir, but people are not very happy.
“Nowhere in the country is there a domicile law as weak as here. Anyone with the help of a 10th and 12th school certificate can get one,” complained a senior. official.
According to him, the number of refugees from western Pakistan applying for certificates of domicile is low as many already have a certificate of permanent residence (PRC) and, according to the law, every PRC is now entitled to the law of domicile. .
The West Pakistan Refugee Community is made up of members of the Hindi and Sikh communities who emigrated after the Partition of 1947.
The Valmikis also migrated – from the Punjab. “They have been staying here for years now, although their numbers are not very high. But they must also have rights in terms of education and employment,” said a senior official from the North Block.
According to him, this legislation guaranteed rights on the basis of social protection.
“Their children have stayed here and speak the same language. Why should they be marginalized?” He asked.
The change, however, is not welcomed by all of Jammu, with resentment palpable among the Dogras.
“On behalf of the Hindus, everyone – Pandits from Kashmir, refugees from West Pakistan, Valmikis – will settle in Jammu. But the resources – jobs and places in higher education – are limited,” said a senior officer. , adding that this would only increase. pressure on Jammu over the next few days.
“Even the BJP, as a political party of J&K, is dominated by the Kashmir Pandits,” said another officer, adding that the Pandits received preferential treatment in medical institutions and colleges, in terms of seats and employment opportunities.
“We have been marginalized in our own region,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, in the valley, people are upset because they feel that the center, with this law, wants to homogenize the region. “This will further aggravate the conflict,” warned a local politician.
