Mehbooba bats for Assembly reservation to pave way for return of Kashmiri Pandits
Srinagar, Jun 2: In a political turn of events, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Monday demanded reservation of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community and described it as an essential step towards their dignified return to the Valley.
Making an announcement at a news briefing after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan here, Mehbooba said that the decision would make Kashmiri Pandits more inclined to enter electoral politics and develop meaningful interaction with the majority community.
She said that the PDP had always believed in political empowerment as a cornerstone for reconciliation and return of displaced communities.
ìReturn of Kashmiri Pandits is a long-drawn process. Giving reservation in the Assembly to them is a strong step to bring members of this community back here. Instead of nominating Kashmiri Pandits, seats should be reserved for them,î Mehbooba said. ìThe reservation will boost chances for them to fight elections. Political empowerment is important. Return of Kashmiri Pandits with dignity is half-hearted till their political empowerment doesnít happen.î
The PDP chief, who was accompanied by senior party leader Mehboob Beg, submitted a detailed memorandum to the LG regarding the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. She said that the same document had been shared with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
ìA lot of people from the Kashmiri Pandit community outside the Valley want to come back. Those working under the PM Package outside Kashmir are also keen to return. Their transfer process is rigid and needs to be made more flexible,î Mehbooba said. ìThose who want to return to their original districts should be provided at least half a kanal of land for rehabilitation. They can initially visit the Valley in summers with their children and eventually settle back.î
She stressed that the return plan should not be confined to setting up separate colonies.
ìThere are many among them who want to build individual houses. They should also be given the necessary support,î Mehbooba said. ìMufti Sahabís vision for return of Kashmiri Pandits is part of PDPís core agenda. We must facilitate their return. It isnít impossible.î
Mehbooba also raised the issue of youth languishing in jails ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.
ìI urged the LG to release youth with less severe charges and to allow others to at least meet their parents on Eid,î she said. Commenting on the National Conferenceís performance in the Assembly, Mehbooba criticised the party for what she termed as misplaced priorities.
ìOur members wanted to bring a resolution on the Waqf Bill but instead of facilitating that, CM Omar was busy visiting the Tulip Garden,î she said.
An official statement issued post-meeting said, ìMehbooba called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan. She discussed various important matters including smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra and dignified return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the Valley.î
THE COMEBACK CONVERSATION
The meeting between the former CM and the LG is an important milestone in the political affairs of the region.
According to political observers, this interaction sets a new precedent, given Mehboobaís extended withdrawal from official political activity after Article 370 was revoked in August 2019.
Following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmirís special status and reorganisation as two Union Territories (UTs), Mehbooba took a political non-engagement posture.
She stayed away from contesting in the 2024 Legislative Assembly elections, citing reluctance to do so in a Union Territory setup directly administered by the Centre.
However, PDP fielded Mehboobaís daughter, Iltija Mufti, in the elections.
But the PDP was steamrolled, winning only three seats with Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Fayaz Mir, and Rafiq Ahmad Naik being the lone legislators to emerge victorious in the 2024 Legislative Assembly elections, a far cry from the 28 seats won in the 2014 Legislative Assembly elections when the PDP was the single largest party in the State.
The interaction between Mehbooba and LG Sinha is crucial for a host of reasons, the political observers said.
It may be a reinitiation of political discourse as this interaction heralds Mehboobaís return to political discourse and can be the stepping stone towards renewed dialogue between regional parties and the central government, they said. Political observers said it would also be beneficial towards solving regional problems since the PDP had already been critical about the policies adopted by the central government in Jammu and Kashmir and this interaction could herald a forum towards resolving burning issues of the region together.
The meeting might also open avenues for revisiting certain administrative decisions like development projects and security measures, ensuring they align more closely with local sentiments and needs, they said.
According to them, the breakthrough could have significant ramifications on the political stability with increased interaction among the regional leaders and the central administration that might lead towards more political stability in the region, which New Delhi may be keen on after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that left 26 persons dead, most of them tourists, and brought the region to the brink of an India-Pakistan war. The meeting could also have a positive impact on public perception, highlighting a commitment of the Centre towards inclusive governance and responsiveness to local issues, they said. It could also become a model for future alliances between the central government and regional parties outside the ruling party, promoting a more collaborative political climate, the political observers said.
The meeting between Mehbooba and LG Sinha also signifies a potentially turning point in J&Kís new politics, signaling towards increased engagement and cooperative governance, they said.
