Move to dilute demographic character of the state
Srinagar: National Conference Tuesday lashed out at the PDP-BJP Government for deciding to issue State Subject Certificates at the school level and said this move was aimed at diluting the State Subject Laws and to subsequently alter the State’s unique demographic character.
In a joint statement, senior leaders MLA Budgam Aga Syed Ruhullah and MLC Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Dar said the PDP-BJP Government should explain why the process of issuing PRCs is being singled out to be devolved to the level of classrooms.
“Why not birth certificates, Adhaar cards, Voter IDs and SC/ST Certificates? Why this sudden urge to remove crucial checks and balances in the process of issuing State Subject Certificates?, the leaders asked. This intervention is even more disconcerting given that BJP has traditionally advocated the scrapping of the State Subject Laws that protects the demographic character of the State. Also given previous revelations of certain political parties and forces circumventing norms and regulations in issuance of PRCs in violation of law, these antics have caused a lot of apprehensions in the state”. .
Asking the State Government to explain how it would ensure non State Subjects would not be issued PRCs at the school level, Aga Syed Ruhullah and Ali Mohammad Dar said this was a dangerous step aimed at furthering an equally dangerous political agenda.
“There are various students studying in our schools, colleges and universities who are not State Subjects. Does the PDP-BJP Government intend to issue them Permanent Resident Certificates as well? Is this their new formula to dilute J&K’s State Subject Laws? These are crucial questions that need to be answered by no less an authority in the Government but the Chief Minister Mufti Mohamamd Sayeed himself. He has maintained a very conspicuous silence on the issue despite alarm and outrage by various sections of the society”, the joint statement said.
“Then there is the question of students of other districts studying in districts where their parents work and live. The established process of PRCs being issued in the domicile districts of the State Subjects is a norm that takes into account logic and legality. It is only proper to scrutinize the eligibility of the applicants in their districts of domicile, the statement said. .Any other method is not only absurd but also politically malignant and will not be tolerated at any cost. We will wait and see if the Chief Minister musters courage to clear his stand on the issue and if not we will explore all options to safeguard the interests of the state”.
The NC leaders in their statement said that it seems PDP had also tactically agreed to BJP’s traditional demand to do away with the state’s Permanent Resident Laws during their power-sharing negotiations which were dressed up in ideology and morality.
“Has PDP given BJP a blank check to toy with the state’s special status and Permanent Resident Laws? The prolonged silence of the Chief Minister on this issue is worrisome and certainly points in that direction. PDP should have absolutely no misgivings and should know that National Conference will not allow any dilution of the State Subject Laws”, the statement further said.
No change in PRC procedure: Akhter
Srinagar: Chief Spokesman of PDP and Minister for Education Naeem Akhter today clarified that there is no proposal with the Government to change the laws, rules or procedure pertaining to the issuance of the Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) in the State.
Akhter said that an unwarranted controversy regarding issuance of PRCs is being created by some political parties who have been rejected by the people in the recent Assembly elections.
He said National Conference (NC) is only creating doubts in the minds of the people on flimsy grounds. It is NC which has compromised on every special law pertaining to the state, he added.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
