Empowering the Margins: Lok Sabha Greenlights Key Amendments for Jammu and Kashmir

On Tuesday, in a significant legislative move, the Lok Sabha approved the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. These bills, introduced on July 26, mark a pivotal step toward implementing comprehensive reservations in the Union Territory's legislative assembly, job sectors, and professional institutes.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 modifies the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, focusing on reservations in jobs and admissions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes. Notably, it replaces 'weak and under-privileged classes' with 'other backward classes as such by the Government from time to time,' aiming for a more inclusive framework.

Simultaneously, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Previously, the 2019 Act designated 83 seats in the Legislative Assembly, with none reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The recent amendment boosts the total seats to 90, allocating 7 for Scheduled Castes, and 9 for Scheduled Tribes, and empowering the Lieutenant Governor to nominate two members from the Kashmiri migrant community, one being a woman.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the Bills' importance, emphasizing their role in rectifying historical injustices: "This bill is for those who have been oppressed in the past 70 years. This will give them justice and rights." The broad support from MPs indicates a collective recognition of the significance of these amendments in promoting social inclusivity and justice in the region.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University