SOS Int’l calls for non-political nominee for reserved assembly seat for PoJK refugees
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: S.O.S. International, a registered organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), has urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha not to nominate a candidate from a political party for the single reserved seat in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
The chairman of S.O.S. International, Rajiv Chuni, emphasized that appointing a political figure would jeopardize the rights that the PoJK displaced persons have fought to secure over nearly three decades.
In a memorandum submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, Chuni highlighted that the reserved seat should genuinely represent the interests of the PoJK displaced community, which comprises over 12 lakh refugees. He argued that treating this seat as a political sanctuary undermines its purpose. Instead, he proposed that a non-political nominee should be considered to better address the community’s needs. Past political representatives, he noted, have failed to deliver meaningful results for the displaced community.
Chuni pointed out that S.O.S. International has worked tirelessly to unite PoJK refugees both within and outside Jammu and Kashmir. The organization has raised their issues before various government panels, including the Wadhawa Committee and the Delimitation Commission, which had recommended eight assembly seats for PoJK refugees. Unfortunately, these recommendations were ignored, resulting in the allocation of only one seat for a significantly larger population.
S.O.S. International has been at the forefront of advocating for the political empowerment of PoJK refugees since the early 1990s, pushing for their representation in the Legislative Assembly. Chuni stressed that the plight of PoJK refugees should be viewed as a humanitarian issue, deserving of a compassionate approach that transcends party politics.
Chuni expressed concern over reports suggesting that a political figure might be nominated for the assembly seat, warning that such a move would further alienate PoJK refugees, who have been neglected by successive governments. He reiterated that the purpose of reserving this seat is to empower PoJK displaced persons and provide them with a platform to advocate for their rights. To achieve this, he asserted that the nomination should reflect justice and empowerment, ideally through a non-political candidate.
In conclusion, Chuni urged the Lieutenant Governor to consider the genuine concerns of the PoJK refugee community while making this critical nomination, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the seat serves its intended purpose of representation and advocacy.