A A Latif u Zaman Deva
SNS KASHMIR
SRINAGAR, MAY ,06 :
Enough has been brought in public domain about the scripted reports of Delimitation Commission which fell on deft ears and Kashmir Division in the process conveniently usurped of atleast 04 seats entitled on the amalgam of factors including population, rough terrain and poor connectivity. Principally the communal considerations in a democratic order ought to be abhorred but the veritable nature of existing scenario prompts an analysis of the Final Recommendations of the DC on the basis of demographic profile of Jammu Division in the backdrop of sombre chanting about Hindu CM in Hindu State with Muslim surroundings.
The population of Jammu Division is 52.58 lakhs ( 2011 Census) after excluding koshur migrants numbering about 1.20 lakhs being registered as voters in Kashmir Division. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs constitute 61.70%, 34.21% & 1.46 % of the total population of the Division who ideally & supported by the factum of territory should have 26.53( 27),14.71(15) & 01 seats respectively from out of 43 but apart from 29 seats with absolute majority the gerrymandering employed pushes down 06 more Segments to 50:50 prospects to the chagrin of the majority community who unlike Hindus are aligned to various political parties in spite of polarization resulting in minority community voting almost enblock for Hindutva forces and in this way the Muslim majority seats left are barely 08 down by 04 when compared with the outcome of 1995 delimitation.
In the methodology for weight age to population the DC has included 1.20 lakh migrants in the Distts of their domicile and not in Distts where they are registered as voters. A decision is called for removing the incongruity. DC by recommending 02 seats for koshur migrants has exceeded its jurisdiction and by way of an argument why not to extend the largesse to Sikhs also who constitute 3.40% of the population of Jammu Division but being spread over the entire Division can’t on their own strength return a Sikh candidate to the legislative Assembly. The nominated candidates in the event of a hung Assembly have potential to subvert the popular aspirations and therefore advisable would have been to reserve one seat each for KPs & Sikhs in Srinagar and Jammu Distts respectively after due legal coverage and by taking into consideration its ramifications in the country with potential for triggering demands for similar dispensation by vulnerable & under represented minorities.
The regional Parties should have been innovative in exposing the gross injustice meted out to the majority community in the UT who out of 90 seats are entitled to 63.
This DC would be shamed in the proceedings of DCs likely to be set up after 2026 as it neither accorded primacy to the population factor nor followed religiously it’s own criteria which is discernible in allocating unduly 01 seat each to the Distts of Kathua and Samba and by not reducing 01 seat in Jammu Distt as has been the case of Kulgam Distt.
The author is former Chairman JKPSC and can be reached on aaluzdeva_221256 @ymail.com.