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| Non-citizens for six decades, Safai-Karamcharis hope for better tomorrow | | Post abrogation of some provisions of Article 370, Article 35-A | |  Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 9: Over 5000 families of Safai-Karamcharis-who have been considered outsiders in Jammu and Kashmir after over six decades of their migration from Punjab -have now been hoping for a better tomorrow, post abrogation of some provisions of Article 370 and Article 35-A, which restrict citizenship to these people.
Safai Karamcharis (Sweepers) which comprises Valmikis (Hindus) and Christians, were brought to J&K from Punjab by the then state government in the year 1957, to manage the situation erupted due to months' long strike of local sweepers, who were demanding hike in their salaries.
"After its failure to negotiate a truce with striking Safai-karamcharis, the then Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad decided to bring Safai Karamcharis (sweepers) from Punjab. Consequently 272 Safai Karamcharis employed in Amritsar Municipal Corporation were brought in Jammu and Kashmir under a special permit", Octogenarian Bachan Lal, who was among the first batch of migrants said.
He said upon entry in the state they were given shelter and jobs in the Municipal Corporation with a 10 rupees hike in the existing wages rates of the local Safai Karamcharis. "Since there was a restriction of employment in the government jobs for the outsiders under section 35A of a special-order amending section 35-B of J&K state service rules was issued. According to the order these Safai Karamcharis were exempted to produce the State Subject Certificate for the sweeping jobs in the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporations", he added.
Bachan Lal (82), who was among the 272 Safai Karamcharis brought here in 1957 expressing satisfaction with Centre Government's decision abrogating Article 370 said that after around 62 years they got independence. "Despite serving here for last 62, we were not equal to other citizens of J&K due to Article 370 and 35-A, we don't have land here, the Valmiki Colony Gandhi Nagar has turned very densely populated area, where have multi storied building, without any option of its expansion", he said, adding that after serving J&K governor he got suppurated from services on in 2001. "But like many other I was helpless to provide a better shelter and education to my children", he said, hoping the new regime of Union Territory of J&K would serve the purpose of their long struggle.
Gharu Batti, leader of Balmiki Basti Gandhi Nagar whose dream come true, opines that revocation of Section 35A was the only way to get rid of injustice the community faced for decades. "Section 35A was a hurdle for them, because it clearly violates the rights of the people serving the state since decades. There are Balmikis, Christains, Sansi, Bajighar, West Pakistani Refugees, Gorkhas and some others communities who are suffering because of Section 35A and Article 370 and due to these constitutional provisions we were not allowed to get employment in other state government departments," Gharu Batti said and added that not only this but our children are also denied professional education in the State educational institutions.
"There was no future for educated students in the State. There was no financial help available to start some kind of business. There was no educational loan, there was no commercial loan for us because we do not have land in our name". Gharu Batti said that if at all there is any kind of loan facility available to us, the amount is too low to support some significant business.
He further stated that Article 370 has restricted the expansion and entry of outside private business industries in the state which ultimately affects the prospects of getting dignified jobs for their educated children.
Gharu Batti hoping favorable verdict from the top court of the country, is firmly pursing members of his community who have challenged article 35A in the Supreme Court, but in meantime the Parliament fulfil dreams of entire community. "Our destiny was laying with SC, we know the Court will not deny us our rights, that are being violated since 1957 by J&K Government. Certainly, like other citizens of J&K, we will too get our rights very soon, this is what we expecting justice form the top court till the Parliament took its call on unending injustice with us ", Bhatti said eagerly. He said that that abrogation of Article 35A would do justice with West Pakistani Refugees who likewise has not been accepted as citizen by J&K government.
Rinku Gill, two times president of Safai Karamcharis Union JMC had of a different opinion prior to this development. He says "in 1957, we were brought in from Punjab with an assurance that we will be given the same rights and benefits as the permanent residents of the state but till today we have not been given the said rights". "What we wanted was to either give us the state subjects or to exempt us to produce state subject certificates for employment in other departments at different positions.
"Under past practice we were worried about future of our children, as they were not allowed to get professional training in the educational institutions".
He further stated "Even we asked the government to extend the previous order of 1957 to other fields and provide us relaxation from producing state subject certificate in getting other dignified jobs and education in professional institutions, but our voices remained unheard for decades".
These laws prevent social, educational and economic growth of the community. Now, even the fourth generation of these communities was engaged here as sweepers. Officially invited here for government jobs, the community is considered as migrants. Sunny Khokhher, a Safai Karamcharis at JMC is 12 passed with a health and Sanitation diploma, and is eligible for the post of Sanitary Inspector but was unable to avail promotion in the absence of PRC.
The author is a Jammu-based journalist and media fellow with National Foundation of India. |
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