Threats to students, unemployed youth over Domicile Law unfortunate: Harsh

While the new Domicile Law has sparked massive outrage amongst the masses in J&K, It is regrettable that students and other unemployed youth are being threatened by Police authorities to desist from commenting upon the said legislation in social media. The fact of the matter is that the educated youth of J&K are feeling aggrieved and hence seeking the revocation of this law. They are ventilating their disgust and resentment against the said law which seeks to deprive them of their existing share in the J&K jobs. This is a genuine expression of the feelings of the educated youth which can’t be curbed or crushed by the coercive apparatus of the State you have snatched their jobs through this draconian legislation but you can’t snatch their rights of free and frank expression of opinion which is guaranteed to them under Constitution”. This was stated by Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman-JKNPP & former Minister while addressing a press conference in Jammu today.

          Seeking the roll back of the new Domicile Law, Mr. Singh said that it has not only deprived the J&K youth of their bonafide share in jobs but has wider connotations and of grave magnitude. “Not only the employment factor, but the Domicile Law has to be viewed and analyzed in totality. The new law could be exploited by thousands and lakhs of migrants from other states and even other countries to become residents of J&K and to share the benefits of various schemes which are the exclusive prerogative of J&K people. The labourers of Bihar, Rajasthan, U.P., M.P., Gujarat, West Bengal etc. who are residing in J&K for the last more than 15 years automatically become entitled to Domicile Law and hence would become eligible for all jobs in J&K including Class-IV besides other facilities” divulged Singh.

          “Not only that the Rohingayas and Bangladeshis living in J&K for the last several years and having passed 10th/12th were also free to stake their claims for Domicile Law. If they could manage Voter ID Cards, Ration Cards and even State Subjects, it would not be difficult for them to get Domicile Certificates. Can anyone thus stop them from availing all those benefits which were earlier available to bonafide residents of J&K. Not only that it would have the effect of disturbing our social, cultural and ethnic equilibrium” observed Singh.

          Seeking the revocation of the new Domicile Law, Mr. Singh urged upon the Lt. Governor’s Administration to refrain from curbing the civil liberties and Constitutional guarantees available to the people of this great Nation. He further cautioned the BJP to desist from hammering the aggrieved youth through the iron fist of Police force. Any attempt to suppress the surcharged youth or to crush their voice could prove counter-productive, asserted Singh.