The upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are going to be historic not only in terms of politics and security, but also to give a new dimension to the social fabric of the area. For the first time in these elections, 10 thousand people from about 350 families of the Valmiki community will exercise their voting rights. This community was deprived of the right to vote for decades under the Special Status Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.
For many people of the Valmiki community, this is much more than the right to vote. This right will fulfil their dreams, because at the time of Section 370 and 35A, the youth of the Valmiki community were not eligible for government job examinations. This was because they did not have the Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) required under Article 370. Due to which the children and youth of the Valmiki community living there were not eligible to vote as well as get government jobs.
‘I am 45 years old, but will vote for the first time’
Expressing happiness on casting his vote for the first time in the assembly elections, President of Valmiki Samaj Sabha, Ghaaru Bhatti said, ‘For the first time in independent India, after 65 years, we are getting the right to vote in the assembly elections. I am 45 years old and I will vote for the first time in the assembly elections. Look, we are so late. But better late than never. The entire credit for this goes to PM Narendra Modi. Our democratic rights were being violated for many years in Jammu and Kashmir.’
While answering a question, he said that today all the circumstances have become new for us in Jammu and Kashmir. A lot has changed in our lives in the last five years. Earlier our children could not even apply for a fourth class job in any department of the state, but today our children are getting those jobs easily.
‘The then government deceived us’
Answering this question, he told that before the repeal of Section 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, it was very important to have PRC here. You had to be a citizen of Jammu and Kashmir State. Earlier, only those who had land here and had a record of it were citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. He also told that in 1975, the state government here brought us from Punjab for cleaning work. The then government deceived us, we cleaned Jammu and Kashmir. Three generations of ours passed here, but we were never considered citizens here and no scheme was made for us. This was like a curse for our youth.
At the same time, Meena Bhatti told that she is one of the first women of Valmiki society who raised this issue. Meena is a law student who is inspiring many people of the community. She shared her experience of fighting for equal rights and told how she is now guiding young girls to fulfill their dreams. Ekta Mattu, a law student of Valmiki society, also reiterated similar sentiments and expressed hope for a bright future.
Celebration in Valmiki society
As the elections draw closer, the Valmiki community is celebrating its new identity. For decades, they were bound by the restrictions of Article 370 and were unable to fully integrate into Jammu and Kashmir society. Now they are not only voting but also dreaming of a better future where their children can achieve their aspirations without the constraints of archaic laws.
In 1975, people of Valmiki community were brought from Punjab to Jammu
Let us tell you that the ancestors of the people of Valmiki Samaj were brought from Punjab to Jammu in the year 1975 by the then government to work as sanitation workers during the epidemic. Despite their important role, they were never given permanent resident status. Due to which they were deprived of voting and other rights available to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. For decades, Valmikis lived as second-class citizens who were unable to participate in the democratic process of the region. However, after the repeal of Article 370 in 2019, members of Valmiki Samaj were given domicile certificates in 2020.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)