Srinagar, December 7:
In a pivotal development, CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami has sounded a clarion call, expressing deep concerns about recent legislative moves in Jammu and Kashmir and pressing for the urgent restoration of democratic principles in the region.
Tarigami critically questioned the recent passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill. His reservations stem from the ongoing judicial scrutiny of the Reorganisation Act, raising pertinent concerns about the democratic and judicial implications of pushing through amendment bills during active legal proceedings.
**Censure of Undemocratic Decisions:**
The CPI(M) leader didn’t mince words in condemning what he perceives as a growing trend of undemocratic and unconstitutional decisions by the current dispensation. He emphasized the paramount importance of adhering to democratic norms, urging a reevaluation of the legislative process.
Drawing attention to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, Tarigami scrutinized the replacement of terms like “weak and underprivileged classes” with “other backward classes.” This linguistic revision prompted questions about the government’s priorities in amending such critical legislation.
Expressing discontent, the CPI(M) leader criticized the prolonged delay in conducting Assembly elections in J&K since 2018. Despite ongoing processes like delimitation and electoral roll upgrades, the absence of elections raises serious concerns about the democratic vibrancy of the region.
Tarigami expressed skepticism regarding the nomination of two members from the Kashmiri Pandit community to the Legislative Assembly. He suggested that such nominations might lack a genuine intention to rehabilitate them in their native places, adding a layer of complexity to the democratic discourse.
In a broader critique, Tarigami advocated for a transparent nomination process, asserting that the power to nominate members should rest with the elected government rather than an unelected authority. This plea underscores the necessity of inclusive governance and representative decision-making.
