Srinagar : In a fervent appeal to the Centre, the National Sikh Front, led by Chairman S. Virenderjit Singh, vehemently opposes the recent decision to reserve just one seat for the displaced PoJK people in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly. Singh labels this move as a “cruel joke” and a “big humiliation” to the 17 lakh-strong refugee community.

S. Virenderjit Singh highlights that the Lok Sabha’s passage of the J&K Reorganization (Amendment) Bill falls short of the longstanding demand of PoJK DPs for eight seats in the legislative assembly. He points out that various Commissions and Committees have consistently recommended this, emphasizing a history of neglect that the recent decision perpetuates.

Revealing insights from a parliamentary standing committee report in December 2014, chaired by former Vice President Sh. Venkaiah Naidu, Singh underscores the committee’s recommendation to allocate eight out of the 24 seats reserved for the PoJK community to ensure their political empowerment. Even the recent Delimitation Commission, according to Singh, advocated for an adequate number of seats for PoJK refugees.

Expressing dismay, S. Kulwant Singh Bhatti, President of the National Sikh Front, notes that the PoJK community has been denied its legitimate rights in Parliament, despite numerous recommendations in their favor. He criticizes the allocation of two seats to the Kashmiri migrant community against the recommendations for eight seats for PoJK, deeming it “grave injustice” and “humiliation” to the entire community.

Bhatti emphasizes that the entire community is angered and hurt by this decision and appeals to the Centre for a reconsideration, demanding the reservation of eight seats in the J&K assembly and the fulfillment of all components of the PoJK refugee package without disparity.(CNI) Current News of India