Satish Singh Manhas
The recent stand of political parties, social organizations, NGOs, individuals and civil society in front of Delimitation Commission is all about personal concern and agenda projection. Delimitation of constituencies is being mixed with development, administration et al et al. whereas in actual practice delimitation is only for giving political representation to people on equi basis, which may be area for some districts and population for others. Justified delimitation cannot be based on same single criteria for the whole UT keeping in mind the unique nature of the landscape. It must be based on different criteria for different districts keeping in mind the nature of its existence. For example, “Area for the hilly districts and population for the plains”. So giving the same formula for the entire UT is definitely going to discriminate some districts at the cost of others. Suppose entire UT is delimited on the basis of population then Jammu and Srinagar districts are going to benefit hugely but Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Kupware may lose. On the other hand, if area is taken as the sole criteria, it may go against Jammu, Udhampur and Srinagar etc. So far none seems to have offered a viable solution, although everyone has tried to gain over the others. But that will lead to discrimination and not a real delimitation which require different formulas for different areas keeping in view the unique feature of the UT, like it a mix of hills, plains, mountains etc. So a single formula at all is not going to work for the entire UT rather it may be otherwise which almost has been done for the Kashmir region in the previous delimitation when it got 46 assembly seats and some of its assembly constituencies like Gurez and Karnah got its share even for a petty number 17555 and 32000 votes in contrast to Jammu west’s more than 1.5 lakh. Even these days’ social media is abuzz with their opinion. Jammu is leaving no stone unturned to cash the occasion to highlight the political discrimination meted out to it from the last 70 years. Kashmir is almost silent barring a few write ups in papers or some statements from the political leaders in low tone. Aam Aadmi from valley is either watching silently or is not interested in this political and social media mudslinging.
Delimitation for what? To give justice to those denied or to give representation to those unrepresented or to bring parity in administrative and political sphere. Delimitation sometimes is being confused with development, although it has no role directly. Some people talk about area as the main criteria to delimit the constituency, others plead for population; some argue in favor of topography geography etc, others contend administrative convenience and social and political cohesiveness. Taking into consideration the geography, topography, population concentration, as a unique feature of the UT, delimitation for Jammu and Kashmir is not that easy like anywhere in the country. But what is the most suitable; and all appealing is still not seen in public domain or on papers, memoranda or even social media. So the delimitation is nothing less than an uphill task. The Delimitation Commission must have this in mind. The way Delimitation Commission activated after all party meet at Delhi seems they are in a hurry to finalize. But it is to be seen that an acceptable solution is the need of the hour or else again the regions will be pitted against each other, and that disharmony between Jammu and Kashmir may lead to further disturbance, may be politically, or otherwise. Jammu and Kashmir has a unique geographical existence on globe. At some places, it has large areas with minimum population like Dachhan. Paddar in Kishtwar district, Gurez in Kashmir etc. At others it has small areas like Jammu west and Srinagar city with huge population in Srinagar and Jammu districts. At others it has very tough terrain even unapproachable like Chatroo etc, and others like the districts of Jammu and Srinagar etc which are economically progressed being the capital districts. So one uniform formula cannot be applied practically to the whole Jammu and Kashmir. Like, if in Jammu it has to be population, in Kishtwar it must be the terrain/area and accessibility to administration. Whereas in Udhampur and Reasi for Dudu Basantgarh and Bhomag apply the same criteria. Even Pargwal in Jammu district qualify for the same consideration
Next confusion in public mind is about the reservation for which, the commission must see not only population as the criteria but previous representation as well or else it will create a sense of injustice. Like in the erstwhile Doda district, Ramban and Bhaderwah have already been reserved in the past for SC. So this time some other constituency should be given a chance. Likewise for ST, who are going to get the political representation fot the first time, courtesy removal of article 370/35-A etc and 5th August 2019 reorganization act? but if there is no proportional population of ST’s/SC’s, then the commission must consider, the nomination provision for them or else denying vast majority their rights at the cost of reservation may lead to social and political unrest. The commission must focus on this aspect on equal consideration. Many people have suggested one formula or the other other for the entire UT but that is not going to work considering the unique landscape of the UT. So population for Jammu, Srinagar can increase its seats. And area as criteria can increase seats for Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi etc. So overall, the commission has to adopt different formulas for different areas districts wise, the only viable solution acceptable to all. Increasing the seats for hilly districts like Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi on the basis of area and Jammu and Srinagar on the basis of Population can lead to a workable result.
Now coming to the census, many people have doubt about the census 2011. In order to clear the dust, if census is carried out in the UT prior to finalization of Delimitation Commission final report, this can help make a smooth sailing for the Delimitation Commission.
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