POJK DPs are confused!
RC Sharma Chanakya
Jammu, Sep 18: Why do BJP national leaders hate the POJK DPs of 1947, who have faced some of the worst turmoil in the world? Why isn’t the BJP taking the pains and struggles of the POJK DPs seriously? Why is the BJP acting as a troubleshooter for the POJK DPs instead of addressing their issues? Why has the BJP ignored and not given due attention to the POJK DPs of 1947 in their 48-page manifesto, which contains 14 chapters but none dedicated to them, while there is a two-page (page 42 & 43) chapter at serial number 13, complete with two large pictures of the Prime Minister, focused on the welfare of Kashmiri Pandits? These are pressing questions from the POJK DPs of 1947 that require serious answers from BJP leaders to address their concerns.
The POJK DPs have largely voted for the BJP since 2014, and it is also expected that they will support the party in the ongoing assembly elections. However, the community is frustrated by the BJP’s lack of seriousness regarding their issues and problems. In the past, the BJP sanctioned a small relief amount of ?5.5 lakhs for joint families of DPs, which is meager compared to the ?25 lakhs approved by the coalition government led by Omar Abdullah in October 2014. That package included not only financial relief but also reservations in professional, technical, and educational institutes nationwide, as well as special recruitment drives and reservations in central government jobs.
The neglect of POJK DPs community started from the constitution of the manifesto committee. For the preparation of their 48-page manifesto, the BJP formed an 11-member committee headed by Dr. Nirmal Singh, a former Deputy Chief Minister and Speaker. Other committee members included Adv. Sunil Sethi, Dr. Drakshan Andrabi, Devender Singh Rana, Adv. R.S. Pathania, Adv. Abhinav Sharma, G.L. Raina, Surrinder Ambardar, Javed Kakroo, Farooq Reshi (Retd. SP), and Niaz Andrabi. The names of the committee members are listed on page 4 of the manifesto. Despite the BJP having a fully functional J&K Sharnarthi Morcha led by senior leader Ashok Khajuria and having complete team, there was no representation for POJK DPs in the manifesto committee.
The 48-pages BJP manifesto contains -1) BJP’s major achievements in Jammu & Kashmir; 2) BJP’s 25 promises for a new Jammu & Kashmir; 3) A vision for Jammu & Kashmir; 4) Recognising the struggles of Jammu region: A concerted push to fast track development; and 14 chapters. The 14 chapters are as – 1) Security terror-Free Jammu & Kashmir; 2) Youth Empowerment and Sports development; 3) Nari Shakti-empowering women and protecting their rights; 4) Agriculture, Farmer Welfare and Animal Husbandry; 5) Garib Kalyan-Empowering people and building A just society; 6) helath care for all; 7) Making J&K the crown jewel of tourism; 8) Culture and civilization; 9) Economic Empowerment and Industrial growth; 10) Investing in education and skill development; 11) Good Governance- A regime of growth of prosperity; 12) Building Jammu & Kashmir- Infrastructure development & expanding connectivity; 13) Kashmiri Pandits welfare; and 14) Environment and natural resources management.
The BJP’s manifesto includes “BJP’s 25 Promises for a New Jammu & Kashmir.” On page 12, in promise number 23, they attempt to address the POJK DPs, but the mention is minimal and non-serious. This promise contains six lines and addresses Kashmiri Pandits, West Pakistani refugees, POJK DPs, and internally neglected communities like Valmikis and Gorkhas.
The first two lines of promise 23 are dedicated to the Kashmiri Pandit community, introducing a specific scheme called the “Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojna (TLTVSPY).” The promise states, “To ensure the safe return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandit community, we will launch the Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojna (TLTVSPY).”
In contrast, the mention of POJK DPs reads, “We will also expedite the rehabilitation of West Pakistan refugees, POJK refugees, and internally neglected communities like Valmikis and Gorkhas.” This highlights significant differences: first, the Kashmiri Pandit community is given dedicated attention, while the POJK DPs are grouped with other communities. Second, the term “ensure” is used for Kashmiri Pandits, whereas “also” is used for POJK DPs, indicating a secondary status. Third, the reference to POJK DPs lacks specificity, as it encompasses multiple groups rather than focusing on their unique needs.
Furthermore, to superficially address the POJK DPs, they are briefly mentioned in chapter 13, titled “Kashmiri Pandit Welfare.” This chapter spans pages 42 and 43, containing 10 paragraphs and 66 lines, along with two large pictures of Narendra Modi to attract attention. In the fourth paragraph, which consists of 19 words spread over three and a half lines, the same phrasing as in promise 23 is repeated. The only difference is the omission of the word “also,” which underscores the non-seriousness of BJP leaders toward the issues faced by POJK DPs of 1947. Please think over it.
