BuzzBytes New Delhi, December 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in response to the debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, emphasized the significance of the new delimitation process in ensuring “due representation to the voiceless” in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah criticized the previous practice of delimitation being influenced by political parties to secure electoral victories. He highlighted the comprehensive approach taken by the delimitation commission, which engaged with people across districts, including those from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Underlining the transformative impact of the new delimitation, Shah revealed that for the first time, nine seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribe community. The overall number of seats in Jammu and Kashmir increased from 107 to 114, with 43 seats allocated to Jammu and 47 to Kashmir. Additionally, 24 seats will continue to be reserved for residents of PoK.
Attributing these positive changes to the historic decision on August 5, 2019, Shah expressed confidence that the new law would empower those who have been ignored and insulted for decades, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns in the J&K Assembly.
Referring to the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, Shah acknowledged the challenges faced by the community in the 1990s, leaving behind properties worth crores. He credited the BJP government for assisting Kashmiri Pandits in restoring their properties in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a subtle dig at political figures who spend vacations in England, Shah asserted that such individuals might not comprehend the ground reality in Kashmir. He accused the Congress of consistently opposing the Backward Class Commission, contrasting it with the BJP’s commitment to ensuring due representation for backward class students in educational institutions.
The Home Minister concluded by affirming that the new delimitation process aligns with the government’s vision of providing a platform for the marginalized and underrepresented in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
