Indian Parliament passes three controversial bills related to IIOJK
Srinagar: Despite strong opposition and protests by Gujjar-Bakarwal community, Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament, has passed three controversial Bills related to illegally Jammu and Kashmir including the one that seeks to add Pahari Community to the list of Scheduled Tribes.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Rajya Sabha earlier took up for consideration and passage three bills on occupied Kashmir that seek to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes in local bodies and modify the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the territory. After discussion, the Rajya Sabha on Friday passed all three Bills that were earlier passed by the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament.
The Bills include the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to add four communities – Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group – to the list of Scheduled Tribes in occupied Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved by Indian Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to provide reservation to OBCs in local bodies in occupied Kashmir. Currently, there is no provision for reservation of seats for OBCs in panchayats and municipalities in the territory.
The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, adds Valmiki community as a synonym of Chura, Balmiki, Bhangi, and Mehtar communities in the list of Scheduled Castes in occupied Kashmir.
It is to be mentioned here that following massive protests against the expected passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, the occupation authorities suspended internet services and imposed restrictions in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region to prevent people, especially members of Gujjar and Bakarwal community, from holding anti-India demonstrations. The two districts are simmering with anger for the last few days over the tabling of a controversial bill in the Indian Parliament.
The Bill aims to give Scheduled Tribes status to Paharis, Paddari tribe, Gadda Brahman and Koli community. Majority of the people of these communities are non-Muslims. Legal and political experts say that the move by the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government is intended to appease its Hindu supporters and incite communal tension to pave way for the persecution of Muslims. The occupation authorities have deployed Indian troops and police personnel in strength in the two districts to prevent the protest demonstrations.
