In our previous article, we had dealt with how from deepening democracy at grassroots, expanding social welfare benefits for all and rooting out terrorism, the pace of development has accelerated significantly in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir one year post the historic 5th August decision.
Now ordinary residents of Jammu and Kashmir, who were previously denied their due under the Pre-August 5 system, are being given their due now with union government taking number of changes to bring forth this change.
12.5 Lakh Domicile Certificate Issued
In the last 2 months, Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued domicile certificates to more than 12.5 lakh applicants until 31st of August. 99% of the domicile certificates were issued to holders of permanent resident certificate (PRC) of the erstwhile state of J&K including to Kashmiri Pandits subject to certain conditions.
These conditions are either resided for a period of fifteen years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th/12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K.
Government has also included in the ambit West Pakistan Refugees, Safai Karmacharis and children of women married outside Jammu and Kashmir. These vulnerable sections of population have immensely benefitted with this move with 11,398 domicile certificates have been issued to West Pakistan refugees, 12,340 to registered migrants, 415 to Valmikis and 10 to Gorkhas in just 2 months.
A portal for e-application and issuance of domicile certificate has also been launched in June of this year, significantly easing the process. Now, the average time of issuance of domicile certificate has reduced from 15 days to 5 days.
Article 370 and 35 A denied these rights to legitimate citizens of India living in Jammu and Kashmir. These citizens have now started receiving their due to the momentous 5th August decision of Modi government.
Born in Kashmir, displaced by Islamic Terrorism and tormented by patriarchal state laws that stripped her of all rights. 30 yrs later, she got her birth rights due to the changes on 5th Aug 2019, witness her journey. @AartiTikoo
Full Video ????https://t.co/glNjy2hVHf pic.twitter.com/g3t9jgj6nz
— Jammu-Kashmir Now (@JammuKashmirNow) August 27, 2020
Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi Also Recognized as official languages
Respecting the long-standing demand of the public to give equal recognition to their languages, Kashmiri, Hindi and Dogri have now been recognized as official languages of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Many people took to Twitter to hail these changes for recognizing the equally important role these languages play in the culture and history of the Jammu and Kashmir region.
After decades of struggle, #Dogri finally recognised as an official language of #JammuAndKashmir.
This is a recognition of #Jammu region as an equal partner in the new J&K, a move towards an era of equitable development in the post 370 Jammu and Kashmir.
Thankyou. ?
— आकांक्षा (@kesar_akankasha) September 2, 2020
Cabinet approves Bill to include Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi as official languages in Jammu and Kashmir. After 7 long decades. 7.. long… decades. https://t.co/reAOQS2Kwl
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) September 2, 2020
BIG: Union Cabinet has approved introduction in Parliament the Jammu & Kashmir Official Languages Bill 2020 in which 5 languages Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi & English will be official languages. Imagine not Kashmiri but Urdu was J&K official language. Thank you, @narendramodi!
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 2, 2020
Congratulations @DrJitendraSingh sir for this landmark decision of the Union Cabinet. Gives a new sense of dignity of being citizens of a truly free and democratic nation. No doubt echoed across entire Jammu and Kashmir !! @manojsinha_ @GenJamwal @joshua_favorite @DostKhan_Jammu https://t.co/WmnndblLGx
— Ajay Khajuria (@khajuria19_a) September 2, 2020
Thanking PM Modi for taking this momentous decision, Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Udhampur Dr Jitendra Singh described the inclusion of Dogri, Hindi & Kashmiri as official languages in Jammu & Kashmir as the fulfilment of a long-pending public demand which ensures the spirit of equality promised after Aug 5, 2019.
Inclusion of #Dogri, #Hindi & #Kashmiri as official languages in #JammuAndKashmir is not only fulfillment of a long pending public demand, but also in keeping with the spirit of equality ushered after Aug 5, 2019. #CabinetDecisions
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) September 2, 2020
Decades of misrule and injustice perpetrated by the elites of Gupkar road are now being rectified in the new Jammu and Kashmir being built by Modi Government.