Even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has given a strong warning against any tampering with Article 35A, people ‘suffering’ due to the provision are confident that a debate will help in highlighting this “discriminatory” clause illegally incorporated in the Constitution to deprive a section of its constitutional rights.
Valmikis, West Pakistani Refugees (WPRs) and women married outside J&K, are the victims of the provision which enables the state Assembly to define permanent residents and give them special rights and privileges.
“This is what we want. The nation is not aware of this Article which is depriving us of basic human rights,” argued Eklavya Anarya, a Valmiki youth. “After the Chief Minister’s warning, a debate will be generated and we will use this opportunity to educate people about this discriminatory Article,” he said.
Eklavya along with hundreds of Valmiki families are living in Jammu since 1957 and have suffered due to Article 35A.
Echoing similar sentiments, Labha Ram Gandhi, chairman of the West Pakistani Refugees Action Committee, said Mehbooba Mufti had ignited a debate and the discussion would be taken at the national level. “Now, people of the country will know how Article 35A has deprived a large section of society of their constitutional rights,” he said. Women of J&K, who are married outside the state, are also the victims of the provision. Men, who marry outside the state, can bring home their wives who are entitled to a permanent resident certificate and all ‘privileges’. These women may be from any part of the world, within India or abroad. Children born from these women will also get these rights in J&K without any hassle but the same yardstick is not applied on women who marry outside the state. Neither husbands of the women nor their children are entitled to get the permanent resident certificate.
After Mehbooba’s remarks, ‘Victims’ hopeful of debate on Article 35A
