State subject status to West Pakistan refugees

KSCDS takes exception; calls bill conspiracy, ethnic attack

SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The Kashmir Centre for Social and Developmental Studies (KSCDS), a civil society group, has taken strong exception to the proposed bill likely to be tabled in the state legislature in the upcoming session, for granting state subject status to the West Pakistan refugees settled in Jammu and Kashmir. Terming the bill as a conspiratorial move and a direct attack on the unique ethnic character of the state, the groups said the special status to the state has been sanctified by state constitution and protected by article 370 of Indian constitution.

“State subject certificate was first introduced by Maharaja in April 20, 1927 in the backdrop of apprehension of dominance by the Punjabis from West Punjab and alerted on this possibility by the Pandit community of the day .Any erosion of this article will have disastrous consequences and will be fought against with blood by Kashmiris as this is their only protection against being swamped away by outsiders, be they muslims or hindus”, the KSCDS said in a statement issued here after its emergency meetingr. They called upon all the political parties in the state to clear their stand on the bill. “Besides being illegal and unconstitutional it is an assault on our identity. All the political parties of the state should come clear about this grave and sensitive issue with out equivocating and politicking,” the statement said.  “They must foil this evil attempt tooth and nail keeping in view the larger ramifications of the issue. Congress legislators are warned hereby to desist from carrying out a colonial project to please their masters in Delhi,” the statement added.

Source: http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=10967