Sir,
The ongoing hullaballoo among the Kashmiri Pandits for not having been included in the voter lists of the valley, in spite of the fact that they had already undergone the painful and tiresome exercise of submitting the blasted M-forms is nothing but a storm in a teacup. They forget that they are actually the persona non grata. Otherwise how is it possible that this unfortunate community has no voting rights after twenty-five years’ residence in Jammu? It is surprising that the Tibetan refugees living in Srinagar have been given citizenship and voting rights for parliamentary elections. But KPs have been deprived of this fundamental right partly because of the apathy of the administration towards them and partly because of the KPs own apprehensions. Some self-styled political Pundits of this community warn that if they fight for their inclusion in the Jammu voter lists, they will be deprived of their ownership rights of Kashmir and the paltry monthly relief that some of them receive, will be disconnected.
Certain things are beyond ones comprehension. KPs were included in the Municipal voter lists of Jammu where they exercised their votes a couple of years back. Perhaps it was a test dose. But for assembly and parliamentary elections they have to resort to the M-form ritual and then vote for the unknown candidates of the valley. In the fitness of things it would be better if KPs are included in Jammu voter lists for the present (as has been done by Delhi, Haryana and UP states) and when they go back to the valley with ‘safety, dignity and honour’, they can, once again, be enrolled there. Will the central election commission listen?
Yours etc….
P L Waguzari
Roopnagar enclave, Jammu.
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