Allegation of discrimination in J&K delimitation: Opposition said – BJP’s focus is on Jammu with Hindu influence, so here 6 seats and SC-ST reservation

The Delimitation Commission has proposed to increase the 7 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Of these, 6 will be increased in Jammu and 1 in Kashmir. After this amendment, the number of seats in the assembly will increase from 83 to 90. Of the total 90 seats in the Assembly, 43 will be in Jammu, while 47 seats will be in Kashmir. Non-BJP parties of Kashmir have strongly opposed this proposal. Know the reason for the protest…

BJP is dependent on Jammu’s vote bank, so the emphasis is there
When Bhaskar questioned the political parties on this, he said that the BJP wants to increase the seats in the Hindu-dominated Jammu. She wants that with this she can come to power and make her own chief minister. If seats increase in Jammu, it will benefit the BJP, as it depends heavily on the vote bank here. The BJP has less dependence on Kashmir, where it could not win a single seat in the last assembly election.

Read, what is the proposal of the Delimitation Commission in Jammu and Kashmir ..

Demand of political parties, distribution of seats on the basis of population
According to the 2011 census, Kashmir has a population of 68 lakh 88 thousand 475, which is about 54.93% of the state’s population. It has 46 seats, which is 52.87% in terms of representation in the Legislative Assembly. Similarly, 53 lakh 78 thousand 538 people live in Jammu. It has 37 seats in the assembly and 42.52% representation there.

There is a demand of Kashmiri parties that the distribution of seats should be on the basis of population. Political parties in the Valley argue that the population of the Kashmir Valley is 1.5 million more than that of Jammu and thus it should get more representation in the Legislative Assembly.

Reservation of ST and SC also proposed, BJP’s focus on majority
In its election manifesto, the BJP had talked about giving reservation to the Scheduled Tribes (ST). Their population in Jammu and Kashmir is 11.9%. For these, the Delimitation Commission has proposed 9 seats. Their maximum population is in the Jammu region itself, that is, about 70% and in Kashmir this figure is 30%. Among them are Gujjar Bakkarwal, Sippy and Gaddi.

7 seats have been proposed for the Scheduled Castes (SC). Their population in the state is 9 lakh 24 thousand 991 and they are 7.38% of the population. Their numbers are very less in the Kashmir Valley.

Now let’s see in the figures its effect
In the last assembly elections, PDP got 28 seats, BJP got 25, National Conference got 15, Congress got 12 seats. The BJP got the maximum number of seats in Jammu, where Hindus have influence. In 2014, the BJP was 44 seats short of the majority. Now after the delimitation BJP can get a boost. Political parties believe that by increasing the focus on the SC and ST population in Jammu, the BJP wants to cross the 45-seat mark in the coming elections.

Mehbooba said – Commission made for the political benefit of BJP

Mehbooba Mufti said- Their effort is to pit people against each other. Census data is also not being taken into account. 6 seats are being given to one region and only one seat to Kashmir. This commission has been created to give political advantage to BJP. The division is being done on the basis of religion and regionalism. The effort is to form the government on the basis of the steps taken in August 2019.

Omar Abdullah said – I am very disappointed with this delimitation

National Conference chief Omar Abdullah said- I am extremely disappointed with this delimitation. The commission is fulfilling the political agenda of the BJP. The data that was there was also not taken into account. We do not accept this. 6 seats are being given to Jammu and only 1 to Kashmir. This is also wrong according to the 2011 census.

Congress said – there was no delimitation in terms of population

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir said – seats are already reserved for SC and ST. As far as delimitation is concerned, it should be on the basis of population. According to the 2011 census, the population of Jammu and Kashmir is 1.22 crore. There is no delimitation in terms of population.

Lone said – we do not accept the recommendations at all

Former minister and People’s Conference chief Sajjad Gani Lone said – We do not accept the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission at all. This is a big blow to those who believe in democracy. Altaf Bukhari of his party also rejected the recommendations. Said- Population and districts should have been made the base.

BJP’s argument on delimitation
BJP is saying that Jammu is spread over 26 thousand 293 square kilometer and Kashmir in 15 thousand 948 square kilometer and hence the delimitation should be done keeping in mind the area, not just the population. However, BJP wants to increase its dominance in Kashmir as well and hence state party chief Ravinder Raina held rallies in some border areas here.

It is dominated by the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities who come from the Scheduled Tribes. They were promised that their standard of living would be improved. The Center and the Jammu and Kashmir administration have said that elections will be held only after delimitation, that is, when former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai finalizes her report by March 6, 2022.

Research scholars and activists are also in protest
Apart from political parties, common people also raised questions on this delimitation. Research scholar Shahid Ahmed said – this is happening what BJP wanted. I do not understand on what basis 6 seats are being increased in Jammu and only 1 seat in Kashmir.

Senior journalist Ahmed Ali Fayaz said – till 1996 there was a difference of 10 assembly seats. Then there were 42 seats in Kashmir and 32 in Jammu. Now the commission is saying that there will be 48 seats in Kashmir and 52 seats in Jammu. Gujjar activist Irshad Ahmed Khatana said- Reservation for ST will benefit the people of Gujjar Bakarwal community.