Awami Itihaad Party Advocates for Citizenship Rights in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly
JAMMU: The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), led by jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, has taken a significant step in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly by submitting a resolution aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of citizenship and legal status for families of former militants. This move comes as the assembly's budget session commences on Monday, highlighting the party's focus on humanitarian and constitutional matters in the Union Territory.
Resolution Seeks Legal Recognition for Families Under 2010 Rehabilitation Policy
On Sunday, the AIP announced that it had formally submitted an assembly resolution urging the grant of citizenship or appropriate legal status to the wives and children of former militants who arrived from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under a rehabilitation policy introduced in 2010. Langate Shiekh Khursheed, the party's lone MLA and brother of Engineer Rashid, emphasized that these individuals continue to live without citizenship or legal recognition, leading to a severe denial of basic rights.
Khursheed detailed the challenges faced by these families, stating that the lack of legal status has resulted in:
- Exclusion from educational opportunities
- Limited access to healthcare services
- Denial of employment prospects
- Absence of valid identity documents
The resolution specifically calls on both the J&K government and the Central government to take immediate action by issuing valid domicile and identity documents, while ensuring dignity, security, and constitutional safeguards for these individuals.
Historical Context and Implementation Challenges
The rehabilitation policy was announced in 2010 by the UPA government at the Centre during Omar Abdullah's earlier tenure as chief minister of the erstwhile J&K state. At the time, Omar Abdullah described the initiative as a "humanitarian issue with nothing sinister or dangerous," aiming to facilitate the return and integration of former militants into society.
However, officials have cited stringent criteria in the implementation of this policy. Reports indicate that out of over 1,200 applications received, only approximately 350 were accepted, underscoring the complexities and bureaucratic hurdles involved. The demand for citizenship for these families has been a persistent issue, with political parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having previously expressed support for it.
Additional Demands and Legislative Advocacy
In addition to the citizenship resolution, Khursheed addressed other pressing matters during a news conference. He advocated for steps to ensure that Mehraj Malik, the arrested AAP MLA from Doda, is permitted to attend the assembly session. Khursheed revealed that he had personally delivered a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last week, requesting an all-party meeting to pass a resolution urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to facilitate Malik's presence in the House.
Malik, who is the only AAP MLA in J&K, was detained last year under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly misbehaving with senior officials during a protest. Khursheed's intervention highlights concerns over legislative representation and the rights of elected members.
Furthermore, Khursheed submitted another assembly resolution seeking the transfer of all power projects in the Union Territory to the J&K government. He argued that this measure would:
- Help ensure cheaper electricity for residents
- Strengthen power infrastructure across the region
- Enhance revenue generation for local governance
Past Efforts and Future Hopes
Reflecting on previous legislative sessions, Khursheed expressed disappointment that several resolutions submitted during the 2025 budget session were not taken up for discussion. These included proposals related to:
- The release of political prisoners
- Restoration of Article 370
- Reinstatement of J&K's statehood
Despite these setbacks, Khursheed remains optimistic, stating, "I am hopeful my party's resolutions will be taken up this time," as the assembly convenes for its latest session. The AIP's proactive stance underscores its commitment to addressing both immediate humanitarian concerns and broader political issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
