Srinagar: Awami Ittihaad Party President (AIP) and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid has stated that granting citizenship status to West Pakistani refugee settled in Jammu and Kashmir would have serious consequences for the state.
According to a statement issued to KNS, while speaking in the assembly today on the topics related to revenue, rehabilitation and law affairs Engineer Rashid stated that until doomsday it is not possible to grant permanent state subject rights to refugees from Pakistan as it is not only against the very paradigm of justice but aims at destroying the majority character of Muslims and strongly criticized Jammu based members for demanding the same.
Pertinently, Engineer Rashid stated: “If the state government is serious in addressing the issues of Pakistani refugees than it should raise the issue with Central Government. Government of India can take up the same with Government of Pakistan so that they can be settled comfortably back at their native places.
Er Rashid also criticized members of Jammu for trying to revive the issue related to restoration of ‘Dogra Certificate’ terming it illogical to get recruited in Army or other institution just on account of having ‘Dogra Ethnicity’. “Dogra Certificate revival would mean a great injustice against Muslims of Jammu region,” stated Engineer Rashid.
While reflecting on the issue of rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit Community, Engineer Rashid advised the migrant Pandit community not to fall in the trap of Government. “The Homeland demand is aimed at making Kashmir another Palestine which won’t be allowed to happen .Kashmiri Pandits are part and parcel of Kashmiri society and they need to win the trust of majority community and fight alongside them for the just resolution of Kashmir issue rather than going after absurd packages,” stated Er Rashid.
On the other hand, Engineer Rashid expressed disappointment over the fact that in 1989 when first bullet was fired in Kashmir the major portion of Pandit community left Kashmir and virtually left the Muslim Community at the mercy of guns. “I question those fanatic pandit leaders who always speak in loud voices and call themselves the real patriots of India where was there conscience and nationalism when they took this step in 1989 to leave Kashmir and leave Muslim community alone to suffer. Realistically, in the major part of our unfortunate history mostly Muslim community lost lives to keep the occupation of India intact in Kashmir through getting used by vested forums like NC, PDP, Congress or Task force.”
Deliberating on the issue of administrative units, Engineer Rashid made it once again clear that in an undue manner Jammu region was granted big share while drafting new administrative units in state as compared to Kashmir region.
Engineer Rashid on the occasion also called for ensuring speedy justice in the Tabinda Gani rape and murder case and stated that the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had established fast track court and ensured speedy justice. However he welcomed the statement of Law Minister statement that judgment would be soon delivered in this case. Engineer Rashid also expressed displeasure that lawlessness is increasing in state and government is patronizing the corrupt and dishonest elements. (KNS)