STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former SSP Som Raj Dutta and Chairman of Association for Welfare of PoK (AWPoK) refugees Jammu, has appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure political representation for the Hindu Pahari and PoK Refugee community of Rajouri-Poonch, alleging decades of neglect and exclusion from the democratic framework of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dutta stated that nearly 31,700 PoK refugee families who migrated to this side of the border during the 1947 Partition and settled in Rajouri, Poonch and parts of Jammu have remained politically unrepresented since 1948. He said that despite successive governments in the erstwhile state and now the Union Territory, no member from the Hindu Pahari-speaking PoK Refugee community has ever been elected or nominated as Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), MLA, MLC, or appointed Chairman for the Welfare of PoK Refugees.
Describing the community’s past as “tragic and painful,” Dutta said many Hindu Pahari families were forced to abandon their ancestral homes, land and livelihoods during periods of conflict and turmoil. “Despite being sons of the soil, they became refugees in their own homeland,” he wrote, adding that the community today stands politically unrepresented, socially marginalized, economically backward and administratively neglected. He argued that democratic systems thrive on inclusive representation and pointed out that the Constitution of India guarantees equality, dignity and participation of all citizens irrespective of religion, region or ethnicity. Dutta maintained that the provision for nominated members in the Legislative Assembly exists precisely to provide voice to communities that are unable to secure representation due to demographic or socio-political constraints. According to him, the Hindu PoK Refugees and Pahari-speaking Hindus of Rajouri-Poonch fall squarely within this category. In his letter, Dutta cited examples of other communities in Jammu and Rajouri that have historically received political representation. However, he asserted that for over 70 years, no such opportunity was extended to Hindu Pahari-speaking refugees from Kotli-Mirpur (PoK) and the Rajouri-Poonch belt. Expressing hope in the leadership of Omar Abdullah, Dutta recalled the inclusive political legacy of his father, Farooq Abdullah, and said that the Chief Minister’s return to office has rekindled faith among marginalized sections. He urged the government to nominate a deserving representative from the Hindu Pahari Refugee community as MLA or MLC, appoint a Chairman for the Welfare of PoK Refugees, or designate an Advisor to the Chief Minister to address community-specific concerns. Dutta emphasized that such a decision would correct a long-standing historical injustice, strengthen national integration in sensitive border districts like Rajouri and Poonch, and uphold the constitutional spirit of equality and inclusive governance. He described the moment as a rare opportunity for transformative leadership and sought a personal hearing with the Chief Minister to present detailed facts and press the case for long-awaited representation. Concluding his appeal, Dutta stated that thousands of displaced families who have silently endured hardship for generations now look toward the government for justice, dignity and rightful participation in the democratic process.