BATHUNI (RAJOURI): The SOS International, a frontline organization spearheading the struggle for the rights of 12-lakh refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), has warned the political parties against interfering with the sole reserved seat for PoJK refugees. It passed a unanimous resolution that any attempt to politicize this seat would not be tolerated and the PoJK refugees would be forced to launch a district-level agitation to oppose any such move.
Thousands of people from PoJK while braving the biting cold gathered under the banner of SOS International in Bathuni area of Rajouri district today to demand political empowerment for their community. Addressing the rally, Rajiv Chuni, Chairman SOS International, regretted the long-standing neglect of PoJK refugees by political parties, saying “Politicians, whether PM, CM, MPs, Ministers or MLAs, have failed to address our plight and bring us out of the current morass,” he said.
He issued a stern warning to political parties, urging them to refrain from interfering with the reserved assembly seat. “We have passed a unanimous resolution that any attempt to politicize this seat will not be tolerated. Our agitation, which started in Rajouri today, will extend to Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi and eventually other district headquarters across the region if any attempt is made to reap political benefits out of this sole seat reserved for PoJK refugees. We are determined to reach every household and mobilize against any such moves,” Mr Chuni declared.
Mr Chuni threw light on the community’s efforts to gain representation in the legislative assembly, stating, “It was resolved that at least eight seats out of the 24 reserved for PoJK must be allocated to our people who fled PoJK in 1947. We achieved a small success in 2006 when the WadhwaCommission recommended reserving eight seats for PoJK refugees living in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere.”
The senior refugee leader also pointed to the 2014 report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, chaired by the former vice president of India and former BJP national president VenkaiahNaidu, which endorsed the demand for eight seats, even suggesting constitutional amendments if necessary. “The report was tabled in both the House of the Parliament in October 2014 but remains unimplemented,” he said.
While criticizing the amendment in J&K Reorganization Act of 2023 for allocating only one seat to PoJK refugees, Mr Chuni said it was grave justice with the community of 12 lakh people.
He accused political parties of exploiting the sole reserved seat for their own gains, warning them to stay away. “This seat should be provided to a non-political person who can effectively represent and empower our community in the legislative assembly. He must be free from party affiliations and is committed to the cause of the community,” Mr Chuni said.
He further argued that existing representatives from the PoJK community who had risen to positions such as Ministers had failed to address the community’s concerns. “If they had been competent enough, there would have been no need to reserve a seat for our community,” he said. “This seat was envisioned to empower the PoJK community and should be nominated for a non-political individual who can rise above party politics to serve the interests of PoJK refugees. Those associated with political parties and their organisationswill prioritize party agendas over community welfare,” MrChuni asserted.
The rally concluded with a fervent appeal for the government to honour its commitment to the PoJK refugee community by ensuring that the reserved seat serves its intended purpose-uplifting the lives of those displaced and empowering the community. Prominent among those spoken on the occasion were VK Datta, Ved Raj Bali, Capt Ravinder Raina, Sushil Sharma, Shivali Sharma, Prof. Ram Parkash, Raj Kumar, Babu Kewal Ram, Som Raj, Khem Raj, Yogesh Sharma, TarvinderKumar and others
