In continuation of the oppressive trend to completely disenfranchise the Muslims of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Indian government published the delimitation commission through which it redrew IIOJK’s political constituencies. While the Muslims still retain the majority number of seats, the gap has been reduced significantly to accommodate Indian officials and ensure a higher electoral representation. In addition to the countless other derogatory and inhumane laws passed by the BJP government in IIOJK, such deceitful electoral alterations push unacceptably past the line.
The delimitation commission finalised 90 assembly constituencies from which 43 seats are to be reserved for Jammu (Hindu-dominated) and 47 for Kashmir (Muslim-dominated). This number was 83 constituencies earlier, with Jammu reserving 37 seats and Kashmir 46. Clearly, the gap which enabled the Muslims to retain an outstanding majority within matters of governance has been reduced to the difference of merely four seats. This should be absolutely unacceptable since not only does it go against UNSC resolutions—clearly stating that any gerrymandering and interference with the electoral system is prohibited—but it goes against the essence of democracy. The region of Kashmir has a Muslim majority and as such, the political fabric of the area must reflect that. To alter it and bring about fresh elections immediately after the changes are formalised is undeniably cruel but not out of character of the Indian government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian Charge d’Affairs (Cd’A) and was given a demarche which conveyed Pakistan’s rejection of the commission and the unmistakable attempt by the BJP government to marginalise the Muslim population. While this is a step in the right direction, Pakistan must create more noise in the international community.
Time and time again, India violates the UNSC resolutions regarding Kashmir, commits hate crimes against Muslims, alters the demographic make-up of Kashmir to favour the Hindus, incites genocide and commits human rights violations at unprecedented scales yet each time, our cries fall onto deaf ears. While this is something we cannot allow anymore, we can still take comfort in the fact that the ground reality will remain the same; the Kashmiris will always oppose the Indian state for subjecting it to excruciating pain regardless of what the electoral makeup of the region is.
The delimitation commission finalised 90 assembly constituencies from which 43 seats are to be reserved for Jammu (Hindu-dominated) and 47 for Kashmir (Muslim-dominated). This number was 83 constituencies earlier, with Jammu reserving 37 seats and Kashmir 46. Clearly, the gap which enabled the Muslims to retain an outstanding majority within matters of governance has been reduced to the difference of merely four seats. This should be absolutely unacceptable since not only does it go against UNSC resolutions—clearly stating that any gerrymandering and interference with the electoral system is prohibited—but it goes against the essence of democracy. The region of Kashmir has a Muslim majority and as such, the political fabric of the area must reflect that. To alter it and bring about fresh elections immediately after the changes are formalised is undeniably cruel but not out of character of the Indian government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian Charge d’Affairs (Cd’A) and was given a demarche which conveyed Pakistan’s rejection of the commission and the unmistakable attempt by the BJP government to marginalise the Muslim population. While this is a step in the right direction, Pakistan must create more noise in the international community.
Time and time again, India violates the UNSC resolutions regarding Kashmir, commits hate crimes against Muslims, alters the demographic make-up of Kashmir to favour the Hindus, incites genocide and commits human rights violations at unprecedented scales yet each time, our cries fall onto deaf ears. While this is something we cannot allow anymore, we can still take comfort in the fact that the ground reality will remain the same; the Kashmiris will always oppose the Indian state for subjecting it to excruciating pain regardless of what the electoral makeup of the region is.