Vivek Tankhah's letter to PM is a relief in real sense for the KPs: Chrungoo

Jammu 10 April (KNS): Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, senior BJP & KP leader and Incharge: Deptt of Political Affairs and Feedback, J&K-BJP said that, "It is relief in real sense for the Kashmiri Pandits and other minorities of Kashmir to know that Vivek Tankha, Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh has taken up the issue of Delimitation in J&K and its relevance in context of the displaced community with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently".
 
Expressing thanks in his message to Vivek Tankha, Chrungoo maintained that the initiative taken by the Rajya Sabha member will have a sure impact on the issue concerned since the MP has come out in open support of the displaced community for reservation of seats for its members in the Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. It is possible only in the government headed by the PM Modi that the displaced community can get their concerned addressed and resolved positively. The letter dated 5th April 2021, written by Vivek Tankhah, follows:
"Issue of Political Representation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Electoral Process under the New Delimitation Process in the J&K. Political Resolution of the old State of Kashmir requires your kind attention.

Under the new dispensation created by virtue of Representation of the Peoples Act, 1957, the Delimitation Commission headed by former Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai is doing its job well; but the Commission only delimits/demarcates the political map of electoral constituencies.

The KP community is rudderless without a political representation in the State political landscape. Without assured representation no meaningful empowerment can be achieved.

For instances, from 1951 till date, one KP used to get elected from Habba Kadal constituency namely Pt. Sham Lal Saraf. There are historical instances of representations of KPs from Kulgam, Kothar and Devsar constituencies. These instances are minuscule, but did to politically empower the KP community.

Official figure reveals that about 41,117 migrant families from Kashmir are registered in Jammu; 21,000 in Delhi and other States. Today approx 6,000-7,000 KPs are still physically present in the valley. Approx 3 lakh KPs left Kashmir. Out of which about 1.5 Lakh are still remain migrants which include Hindu, Muslims and Sikhs as well.

         
Unless we create at least 2-3 constituencies for migrants in Kashmir securing voting solely from that section like Sangha constituency in Sikkim, there will be negligible representation of KPs and other minorities in the proposed Kashmir Assembly.

A 'Group' of Kashmiri Pandits recently met the Chairperson, Delimitation Commission for J&K and submitted a representation. As student of Law, I know the Delimitation Commission is powerless to draw political constituencies for exclusive representation of minorities unless so empowered by law.

Peace, happiness and stabilitv of the country largely depend upon innovative initiatives in the valley. May I request the Hon'ble Prime Minister to kindly look into the grievances of the KPs and Minorities seeking political representation before finalization of the delimitation exercise. Otherwise the story of KPs and minorities of Kashmir will remain unfinished.

Last year while addressing the Parliament on Kashmir issue, I had mentioned that there can be no happiness in the valley without the Pandits. This cannot happen without political participation of KPs in the political landscape".(KNS)

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