Domicile law not acceptable; violates dignity of people of J&K: JKPM

Srinagar, April 02(PR): Supreme Court lawyer and Vice President Jammu Kashmir Peoples’ Movement Advocate Syed Iqbal Tahir has called the new Domicile Law an affront to the dignity of Kashmiris  and termed it totally unacceptable.
In a statement JKPM leader questioned the timing of the law said, “At a time when the whole country and the people of J&K are battling with Corona Virus, Government of India brings in this law when people’s energy is completely focussed on protection from the Conona Virus. It is extremely unfortunate.”

Advocate Iqbal Tahir further questioned that the domicile law is silent on  issue of land rights, which means after the abrogation of Article 35A, there is no protection to the people of J&K and the special identity of Kashmiri people is under assault.
He said that the new law grants domicile rights in Jammu and Kashmir to those who have lived in J&K for 15-years and to children of central government employees who have served in J&K for at least 10 years among others. The rules also reserve group-4 level jobs for domicile right holders.
Restricting natives of the State to the menial jobs reflects the mentality of those holding the power and people of Jammu as well as Kashmir regions must vehemently reject this humiliating policy.
He also expressed surprise in relation to the process of the issuance of the domicile certificates. A tehsildar level officer has been authorised to issue a domicile certificate makes the whole process open to abuse, he added.
Terming the domicile law as an attempt to hoodwink people of J&K, Advocate Syed Iqbal Tahir stated that while Article 35A of the Constitution of India ensured that all jobs in the State of J&K were reserved for those deemed to be “permanent residents” of the State. On the contrary Section 5A of the Domicile Law provides that the lowest level of non-gazetted jobs would be reserved exclusively for J&K domiciles.
Besides this new law grants domicile status to non-state subjects and will lead to demographic change. Whatever little jobs in the government sector were being provided to the youth of J&K will no more be available for them. If this is not an insult to the people of J&K, what else can you call it?
In its press release, the leader expressed hope that the Supreme Court shall grant justice to the people of J&K by declaring the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A as illegal. It is noteworthy that JKPM has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution of India.