Day 3 of Parliament Winter session 2023, witnessed discussion centering around the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. While addressing the Lok Sabha, Union Home minister Amit Shah defended the 2 J&K bills highlighting two main issues of the Union territory, Terrorism and Forced displacement of Kashmiri Pandits. Shah expressed satisfaction that there was no opposition to both of the Jammu and Kashmir Bills during the discussions. After discussions and debates, both bills were passed in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote.
Shah defended the bills by emphasising the importance of justice, rights, and respect for those who have faced injustice, highlighting the significance of bringing forward deprived sections of society while maintaining their dignity, stressing that there is a difference between granting rights and doing it with respect.
Shah asserted that the objective of this bill is to ensure rights and representation to the Kashmiri Pandits, who were being displaced and were living as refugees in their homeland, with about 46,631 families forced to leave. He added that had if terrorism been confronted at the outset, without being influenced by vote-bank politics, Kashmiri Pandits might not have had to depart from the valley.
He provided a background on Jammu and Kashmir while addressing the Lok Sabha, highlighting the era of terrorism post-1980s. He described it as a horrifying period where people were displaced from their homeland. Shah criticised those who should have acted and had responsibilities, were instead enjoying vacations in England.
Further, He asserted that one of the bills related to Jammu and Kashmir aims to nominate two members, including a woman, from the Kashmiri Migrant community to the assembly. Shah announced that one seat in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be reserved for those displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Addressing queries from the Opposition about terrorism in Kashmir during the Winter Session, Union Minister Amit Shah noted a significant decline, with a 70% reduction in civilian deaths and a 62% reduction in security force personnel deaths under the Modi government. Responding to claims that BJP asserted terrorism would cease after Article 370's revocation, Shah clarified, stating, "No one said revoking Article 370 would end terrorism." He clarified that his statement focused on ending secessionism.
He also addressed the aftermath of Article 370's stating that after its removal on August 5-6, 2019, the voices of Kashmiris, unheard for years, were acknowledged by PM Modi. He highlighted that today they are receiving their rights.
Amit Shah's Dig at Congress
Amit Shah asserted in the Lok Sabha that Jammu and Kashmir faced significant consequences due to "two blunders" done by Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. According to Shah, the first misstep was declaring a ceasefire, and the second was bringing the Kashmir issue to the United Nations. He stated that had Nehru made different decisions, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir could have been integrated into India by now, labelling it a historic blunder.
Shah also criticised the Congress, claiming they have caused the "greatest harm to Other Backward Classes." he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts for the welfare of backward classes and expressed confidence in the Modi government's return to power in 2024. Shah expressed hope that by 2026, there would be no terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the government's focus on ending the terror ecosystem in the region.
Both the Bills Passed in Lok Sabha
The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, passed in Lok Sabha.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, presented in the Lok Sabha on July 26, 2023, seeks to amend the union territory's reservation act. It aims to provide job and educational reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes, extending this benefit to socially and educationally deprived individuals in disadvantaged villages and areas along the Line of Control and International Border.
And, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill grants authority to the Lieutenant Governor to appoint a maximum of two representatives from the Kashmiri migrant community to the assembly, ensuring at least one is a woman. The term "migrants" pertains to individuals who moved from the Kashmir Valley or any other region of Jammu and Kashmir after November 1, 1989, and are officially registered with the Relief Commissioner.
Over Amit Shah’s remarks on Nehru upon ‘Two Blunders’, the Opposition members walked out of the House in protest right after the bills were passed.
Both the houses are adjourned till 11 AM, 7 December.
Also Read: Amit Shah in Lok Sabha: PM Modi ensured India has 'one flag' (vygrnews.com)
Photos: PTI
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