Legalizing Land Encroachments in J&K
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to debate the controversial Jammu and Kashmir (Regularization and Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025, introduced by PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para. This bill, if passed, will grant ownership rights to individuals occupying state, kahcharai, common, and shamilat lands for over 20 years. While it is being framed as a pro-people initiative under the guise of the right to shelter, in reality, it is a direct endorsement of land encroachment and a boon for land mafias.
The bill presents a dangerous precedent. Instead of reclaiming illegally occupied government land and utilizing it for the welfare of the truly landless and homeless, the proposal seeks to reward encroachers—many of whom may have acquired such properties through backdoor dealings and political patronage. It is no surprise that this move has sparked outrage among responsible citizens who see it as legitimizing land grabbing at the cost of public interest.
At a time when Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with corruption, unemployment, and economic distress, one would expect lawmakers to focus on meaningful legislation that uplifts the youth, creates employment opportunities, and strengthens public infrastructure. Instead, the Assembly is wasting its time on a bill that does nothing to improve governance or address the pressing issues of the people.
Moreover, this bill will open the floodgates for further illegal occupations. If today’s encroachments are regularized, what stops future land grabbers from occupying government land, hoping for similar legalization down the line? It sends a clear message: break the law, and you will be rewarded.
The real solution to the land issue in Jammu and Kashmir is not to legalize illegal occupations but to frame policies that ensure fair land distribution to the poor through transparent mechanisms. The government should reclaim encroached land and use it for public welfare—whether by developing housing schemes for the truly needy, building schools, or investing in community infrastructure.
If the legislators truly care about the people, they should prioritize bills addressing unemployment, corruption, and youth empowerment instead of promoting land mafias. The people of Jammu and Kashmir must see through this political gimmick and demand real reforms that safeguard their future rather than serve the interests of a privileged few.
