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Congress Leader Mir Demands Caste Census in J&K, Calls for Legal Safeguards and Statehood Restoration

Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir demands a caste census in J&K, stressing fair representation, legal safeguards, and statehood restoration to ensure social justice and equitable development.

Jammu, 04-03-2025:  Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, on Tuesday strongly advocated for the conduct of a caste census in the Union Territory. He asserted that such an exercise would help ascertain the exact population of various social groups and ensure that welfare measures and reservations reach the deserving sections without discrepancies.

The demand was raised during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, which commenced in the J&K Assembly. The motion, tabled by Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, was moved by National Conference (NC) member Mubarak Gul and seconded by Mir.

During the discussion, Mir emphasized that while Article 370 should not be turned into a point of irritation, it also should not be disregarded entirely. He urged both the Union and J&K governments to engage in negotiations to establish new safeguards that would protect the rights and interests of the people for the next two centuries.

“We should neither turn Article 370 into an issue of irritation nor wear it as an amulet around our necks. Instead, we should discuss what safeguards Jammu and Kashmir had under Article 370 and how we can seek similar protections in the future. A resolution on this matter has already been passed,” Mir stated.

Highlighting the necessity of a constructive approach, he called for discussions rather than confrontation, stressing that new legal safeguards could be formulated within the constitutional framework. “The J&K government and the Centre should negotiate and find a way that satisfies both parties. The safeguards must be guaranteed for the next 200 years,” he asserted.

Mir further downplayed the notion that Article 370’s abrogation marked the end of special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that constitutional amendments are an ongoing process, with serial numbers extending beyond 370, and that future amendments could introduce new provisions for J&K.

“If something has to be granted to Jammu and Kashmir, whether by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any other government in the future, it will only happen when this serial number crosses 435. Perhaps, we will find our safeguards under a new serial number,” Mir remarked, referring to the possibility of future amendments accommodating J&K’s special concerns.

Reiterating the Congress party’s demand for the immediate restoration of full statehood, Mir argued that reinstating Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a state would address several governance issues by empowering the Chief Minister and strengthening democratic institutions.

He welcomed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s statement on the matter, acknowledging that it had instilled fresh hope among the people. However, he urged Prime Minister Modi to fulfill his commitment to restoring statehood at the earliest.

Mir also criticized the Centre for initially nullifying all special protections and now considering selective provisions for safeguarding local rights concerning government jobs and land. “The government should explain why it initially abolished these protections entirely before now contemplating partial restorations,” he said.

Mir’s call for a caste census in Jammu and Kashmir was a key highlight of his address. He argued that a proper enumeration of various caste groups would bring clarity to the reservation system and ensure that social justice policies are implemented effectively.

“Today, the caste census is a significant issue at both the national and state levels. Several states have already conducted such surveys. Despite multiple reservation categories in J&K, we lack exact data on the population of OBCs, SCs, and other castes,” Mir stated.

Pointing out loopholes in the existing system, he cited instances where individuals had multiple caste certificates, enabling them to claim benefits under different categories at different times. “I have seen cases where a single individual holds OBC, ST, and other caste certificates issued by the government. Depending on the situation, they use the certificate that benefits them most,” he said.

Urging J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate steps, Mir said, “A caste census in Jammu and Kashmir is necessary for long-term clarity and equitable distribution of benefits.”

Mir also pressed for a government policy to allocate land to landless individuals who have been occupying state land for years. “The government should formulate a policy to allocate at least five marlas of land to those who own no land or introduce similar measures to ensure economic stability for vulnerable communities,” he said.

Raising concerns over employment opportunities for J&K youth, he warned that local candidates might struggle to compete in national-level recruitment drives. “If the recruitment process follows a national pattern, how will our youth be able to compete effectively?” he questioned.

Addressing the issue of Kashmiri Pandit rehabilitation, Mir criticized successive governments for using the displaced community as a political tool while failing to improve their condition. “The Kashmiri Pandits have been exploited as a vote bank. Their pain and suffering have been manipulated for electoral gains. But their situation remains unchanged from 2014 to 2025, just as it was under the UPA government in 2014,” he said.

During the discussion, National Conference leader Mubarak Gul reiterated the demand for statehood, stating, “Restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir is our right.”

On the other hand, BJP member Sham Lal Sharma advocated for strengthening institutions and working collectively towards governance rather than engaging in disputes over past constitutional provisions.

Mir also raised a pertinent point regarding the Centre’s approach to granting special status to states. He noted that the BJP-led government at the Centre relied on the support of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Both leaders had demanded special financial packages for their states in return for supporting the government.

“The Prime Minister agreed to their demands. As a nationalist member, I am closely watching whether Bihar and Andhra Pradesh will be granted special status. If they receive it, I want to see what will be done for Jammu and Kashmir. If we demand special status for J&K, why does it become a contentious issue?” Mir questioned.

The Assembly debate underscored the complex political and constitutional issues surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s status. Mir’s forceful advocacy for a caste census, full statehood, and legal safeguards added momentum to the ongoing political discourse, reflecting the Congress party’s stance on ensuring justice and equitable governance in the region. With discussions set to continue, the political landscape of J&K remains charged with calls for substantive policy changes and legislative action.

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