Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024
Jammu Kashmir Assembly Election 2024: After a long wait of ten years, the preparations for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are going on in full swing. In the run-up to the elections, there is a new hope in the minds of every citizen, but the greatest enthusiasm is being seen in the refugee community of West Pakistan. This community was deprived of its rights since 1947, but after the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019, they got their rights for the first time.
Now assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir. People of this community will exercise their franchise for the first time. Deep happiness and enthusiasm is seen in them regarding the election. Not only refugees from West Pakistan but also Gaur community and Valmiki community will vote in assembly elections for the first time. Refugees from West Pakistan also got ownership rights over property last month.
Another enthusiasm was seen in RS Pura, people were seen emotional.
In the midst of the election, a team from TV9 visited the RS Pura area of ​​Jammu, which is adjacent to the India-Pakistan international border. And where refugees from West Pakistan live in large numbers. People here shared their happiness and enthusiasm and said that they will vote in the assembly elections for the first time. Some people were holding domicile certificates and voter ID cards. Everyone was very emotional to say that this day has been seen after years of struggle.
After centuries of struggle, rights were gained
Refugee communities from West Pakistan have settled in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947 (Partition). But for a long time they were deprived of civil rights. These people used to vote in the Lok Sabha elections, but they did not have the right to vote in the state assembly, municipal and panchayat elections. Along with this, they have not got the benefit of any government scheme of Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides, they did not have rights in jobs in Jammu and Kashmir, nor were they considered as owners of their land. After the abrogation of Article 370, they have got these rights for the first time. With the abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament on August 5, 2019, they got voting and citizenship rights. At the same time, a West Pakistani refugee also got ownership rights last month.
Rights gained for the first time after the removal of Article 370
Earlier, the State Subjects Act was applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, which gave privileges only to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Due to this, the people of the refugee community of West Pakistan were deprived of the political, social and economic rights of the state. However, after the removal of Article 370, their status changed and they got equal rights. Now that the assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir, this community will be exercising its vote for the first time and there is a lot of enthusiasm among them.
25 thousand families, more than 1.5 lakh voters
About 25,000 families of the refugee community from West Pakistan live in Jammu and Kashmir, of which about 1.5 lakh are voters. All these people will exercise their right for the first time and vote in the assembly elections. Many people who spoke to TV9 became emotional. He says that the domicile certificate has made a big difference in his life. Earlier they did not get the benefit of Jammu and Kashmir schemes nor were they considered as owners of their land, but now they have all these rights.
Also Read – Article 370 has become history, it will not come back, Amit Shah said while releasing resolution letter for Jammu and Kashmir elections.
According to the Election Commission, assembly elections will be held in three phases in Jammu and Kashmir. For this, the first phase of polling will be held on September 18, in which total 24 seats will be polled. Voting for the second phase will be held on September 25 and for the third phase on October 1. At the same time, its results will be declared on October 8 after counting of votes.
