UCC, Delimitation, and Muslim Quota: Issues Arise on Eve of Swearing-In

UCC, Delimitation, and Muslim Quota: Issues Arise on Eve of Swearing-In

Keywords: UCC, Delimitation, Muslim Quota, Legislative Assembly, Jammu and Kashmir, BJP, PDP

As the newly elected members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly prepare to take oath on Wednesday, several contentious issues have resurfaced, threatening to overshadow the swearing-in ceremony.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the largest party in the Assembly, has pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. UCC aims to replace personal laws based on religion with a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance. However, Muslim-majority parties, including the PDP, have strongly opposed UCC, fearing that it would undermine their cultural and religious identity.

Delimitation of Constituencies

The Delimitation Commission, set up in March 2020, has proposed significant changes to the electoral map of Jammu and Kashmir. The Commission has increased the number of assembly seats in the Jammu division, while reducing them in the Kashmir Valley. This has raised concerns of gerrymandering and attempts to dilute the representation of Muslim voters in the Valley.

Muslim Quota

The state’s constitution currently provides for reservation of seats in government jobs and educational institutions for Muslims. However, the BJP has expressed its intention to review this quota system, arguing that it violates the principles of equality and merit. This has sparked protests and accusations of discrimination against the Muslim community.

Political Tensions

These issues are likely to fuel political tensions between the BJP and PDP, which have formed an alliance to govern Jammu and Kashmir. The PDP has warned that it will not support the BJP’s agenda on these issues, while the BJP has asserted that it will not compromise on its core principles.

As the Assembly members take oath, it remains to be seen how these contentious issues will be addressed. Failure to find common ground could destabilize the government and cast a shadow over the region’s political future.