Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 22: What is the population of Refugees from West Pakistan, who have been living in wretched conditions in different parts of Jammu province, especially its Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts, since 1947? Actually, a debate is also taking place over the number of the West Pakistan refugees residing in Jammu province. According to a prominent leader of the West Pakistan Refugee Organisation (WPRO) Labha Ram Gandhi, 5764 families migrated to Jammu in 1947 and at present, the number of families of the West Pakistan refugees is 25,460 and the total number of these refugees is approximately 1.5 lakh.
Interestingly, those who have studied the West Pakistan refugees hold a different view.
It needs to be noted that not a single West Pakistan refugees lives in the Valley, which has virtually become the sole preserve of one community. These hapless refugees, victims of fanaticism and religious bigotry, do not enjoy citizenship rights in the state, including the right to own immovable property, right to job under the state government, right to higher and technical education, right to bank loan, right to vote in the assembly and local-bodies' elections and so on. Of course, they have the right to vote in the Lok Sabha elections, as they are Indian nationals, but not residents of Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of India.
What an irony! They are Indian nationals, but the communal leadership in Kashmir considers them aliens and unworthy of permanent residency status. It could happen only in India. A Kashmiri commentator, who is known for his rapidly anti-Jammu, anti-India, anti-refugee and pro-Kashmir views, has condemned the suggestion that these refugees should be granted citizenship rights, including the right to vote. He has, among other things, shamelessly said: "The most contentious issue that involves the recommendations is that of granting voting rights for assembly to the refugees. It will in the longer run help those forces (read BJP and Hindus) who want to see Jammu at par with Kashmir in terms of number of seats to pave way for power in the state without being dependent on voters in Kashmir".
It is hoped that the Central Government would do the needful and empower these refugees. The hope stems from the unanimous recommendation of 31-member joint-parliamentary committee of the Union Home Ministry in this regard. What is significant is the fact that this joint parliamentary committee consisted of members of both the Houses of Parliament belonging to almost all the major political parties. |
