Jahanvi Agarwal
The J&K reservation rules and representation in its Legislative Assembly (LA) are to be expanded and reorganized under four extremely important measures that the Union government submitted in the Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday. These proposals have the potential to have a social and political impact on all stakeholders.
These Bills included:
- The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
- The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
- The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023;
- The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Given the current apprehensions and reservations about them among some agitated stakeholders, the Bills, which are being hailed by the government of the day as a step forward to fulfill its pledge to the potential beneficiaries of the bills, are essential in nature and scope. However, the beneficiaries are organizing into a “rejoicing block.”
The fact that the Bills have been moved months before the key general elections gives them relevance. In addition, according to official declarations, elections for J&K Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies are just around the horizon.
The major goal was to reassure Gujjars and Bakerwals that their current 10 percent reservation would not be changed, as promised by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister even earlier.
Additionally, “The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023” has sparked debate in J&K political circles, giving rise to a strong indication of the upheaval that these bills would cause in the days to come.