Article 370 Revocation brings cheer to Refugees from West Pakistan

Jul 25, 2020

Jammu, Jul 25 (ANI): Refugees from West Pakistan here are looking forward to celebrating the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A next month, which they feel paved the way for them to get domicile certificates after residing in the region for several decades. Ganesh Chander, a West Pakistani refugee said with domicile certificates, members of his community can even apply for government jobs as well, something which was not possible one year ago. In August last year, the Centre abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two territories- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Labha Ram Gandhi, President West Pakistani Action Refugee Committee said that refugees were called 'Pakistani' and could not opt for higher education or even apply for jobs. "I thank PM Modi, Home Minister and the government for abrogating Article 370 and 35 A. Whenever our children go for any recruitment, they were sidelined by calling them Pakistani. For us, all doors were closed as we do not have permanent resident citizenship," he said. In May, the Centre has notified 'Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate Procedure Rules 2020', prescribing the procedure for issuance of domicile certificates, which has been made necessary for appointment to any post under the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.