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| Congress losing ground by not supporting BJP, JKNPP & JSM | | JAMMU: A fit case for delimitation -- II | | Neha
JAMMU, Mar 16: A scrutiny of the census figures reveals that the population difference between Kashmir and Jammu was never so huge. In 1961, the population of Kashmir was eighteen lakh and that of Jammu sixteen lakh - difference two lakh. In 1971, the population of Kashmir was 24,35,701 and that of Jammu 20,75,640 - difference 3,60,661. In 1981, the population of Kashmir was 31,34,904 and that of Jammu 27,18,113 - difference 4,16,791. In 1991, the state was excluded from the census exercise. But, according to the Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the population of Kashmir in 1991 was 40,10,202 and that of Jammu 35,37,957 - difference 4,72,245.
Now let us look at the population growth in Kashmir and Jammu between 1961 and 2001. Such an exercise is necessary to call the bluff. Between 1961 and 1971, Kashmir witnessed population growth to the tune of 6,35,061 and Jammu 4,75,000 - difference 1,60,061. Between 1971 and 1981, while Kashmir witnessed population growth to the tune of 6,99,203, Jammu's population increased by 6,42,473 - difference 56,730. Between 1981 and 1991, the population in Kashmir increased by 8,75,298 and Jammu's by 8,19,844 - difference 55,454. And, between 1991 and 2001, while Kashmir registered growth in population by 14,66,768, the population in Jammu increased by 9,02,234 - difference 5,64,534.
This huge difference of 5,64,534 should clinch the whole issue and establish that those at the helm did commit a fraud on Jammu with a view to countering the movement in Jammu for representation in the Assembly and Parliament as per the 2002 voters strength, if not on the basis of population.
That those at the helm did not act fairly is further evident from two other major developments which took place in the State between 1990 and 2001. One, the population of Jammu suddenly increased in 1991 by about three lakh because of the migration of Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs from the militant-infested Valley. Two, the population of Kashmir decreased by about five lakh owing to the migration of Kashmiri Hindus, Kashmiri Sikhs and Kashmiri Muslims from the Valley to Jammu and elsewhere in the country.
Let us also examine the argument for the sake of argument that the fertility rate among the Muslims is higher as compared to the non-Muslim communities. If Kashmir was a Muslim-majority region, the demographic profile of the Jammu's erstwhile Doda district and Poonch and Rajouri districts had been no different because these were, and continue to be, all Muslim-dominated areas. The population growth in these areas should have been much higher because these were the areas which housed most of the 5.4 per cent of those people who lived below the poverty line in the State during the period under scrutiny. It is generally believed that the fertility rate among the poor is always higher. The average percentage of population that lives below the poverty line in the country more than 27.5.
The fact of the matter is that the population of Jammu province is more as compared to Kashmir and that the number of voters in Jammu is also more as compared to Kashmir. This can be seen from the latest data published by the Chief Electoral Officer in the form of final publication of rolls for the Panchayat elections. It was published only last month. According to the latest data, the total number of voters for the Panchayat elections is 50,78,268 (50.78 lakh). The break-up is like this: Jammu province 25.59,629 voters and Kashmir region 23.84,370 voters and Ladakh 1.34,269 voters. What does this show? This shows that Jammu province has 1,75,259 more votes as compared to Kashmir.
The demand put forth by the BJP, the Panthers Party and the JSM for the constitution of a delimitation commission and adequate representation to the people of Jammu province in the assembly needs to be viewed in this context. Even otherwise, the appointment of a delimitation commission after every ten years/after every census is a constitutional requirement. The 2002 Amendment to the J&K Representation of People's Act was indeed a negation of the very spirit of this Act.
It is time for the Congress without whose support the NC cannot rule even for a day to join hands with the BJP, the Panthers Party and the JSM and force the NC-led government to constitute delimitation commission forthwith. Even otherwise, it is politically and morally bound to demand delimitation commission. For, its 2002 and 2008 election manifestos had made a categorical commitment that the Congress, if voted to power, shall appoint delimitation commission. Any failure on its part to make common cause with the people of Jammu province would harm its long-term interests in the Jammu province. It has to assert and act in its own interest. (Concluded) |
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