A CPI (M) DELEGATION led by its secretary, Ghulam Nabi Malik on July 6, called on the visiting Delimitation Commission in Srinagar and presented its viewpoint on delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.

The delegation reiterated CPI (M) stand that whatever happened on August 5, 2019, is unacceptable. Along with revocation of the special status of the erstwhile state that day, J&K Reorganisation Act-2019 was also passed under which a historic state was downsized and bifurcated. These decisions have hugely dented the confidence levels of people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, the delegation members told to the Commission.

"However, as you are visiting J&K, we found it appropriate to meet you and present our viewpoint on delimitation exercise. We are not against delimitation but wanted it to be carried along with the rest of the country. In 2002, J&K Assembly had amended the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the People Act, 1957 and Section 47(3) of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and put a freeze on delimitation till 2026. The decision was in line with the pan-India freeze on delimitation till the first census after 2026. Both Jammu and Kashmir High Court and the Supreme Court had upheld the decision of freeze on delimitation,” the delegation said.

"The reality is that there is a lot of mistrust among people and rumour-mongering has engulfed the region. Unfortunately, for the last several years, vested interests are trying to create a wedge between communities and regions in J&K. Under these circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the 2011 census provides a guiding frame for the delimitation exercise. Neglected sections of the population living in remote areas of J&K also must be given due representation. Our submission is to keep the sensitivities of J&K in consideration while conducting the exercise. It should help in bridging the gaps between communities and regions instead of further widening them. For that the perceived apprehension that the exercise is aimed at benefiting some sections of the population should be removed,” they further said.

“We also believe that any electoral exercise must create confidence among people and assembly elections, whenever are held, must be conducted only after the restoration of full statehood to J&K. It is not any favour, but our constitutional right. What is at stake is the credibility of the institutions and the process itself. For that, this exercise has to be seen as free, fair and just. For any electoral exercise restoration of full statehood is a must,”  they added.

The Commission assured the CPI (M) delegation that they will put the report in the public domain and whatever suggestions will come forth, they will be taken into consideration and only after that the report will be finalised.