West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, Gorkhas to vote for first time

Tuesday marks a “red-letter day” for the West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, and Gorkha communities, who have lived as “unwanted citizens” for over seven decades in Jammu and Kashmir.

These communities are eager to cast their votes in the ongoing assembly elections for the first time in history. This marks a monumental moment for many who have long lacked political representation.

Comprising over 1.5 lakh people residing in various areas of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, particularly in the border regions, members of these three communities are entering the electoral process to elect MLAs. Unlike in the past, candidates are now actively engaging with the areas in which they live.

According to records, 5,764 families of West Pakistan Refugees, commonly known as WPRs, settled in various parts of Jammu in 1947. Presently, the number of West Pakistan refugees has increased to over 22,000 families, totalling about two lakh individuals.

Ahead of the voting day, West Pakistan refugees celebrated by exchanging sweets in Chakra and Chabay Chak in Samba and Jammu districts.

Following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, these communities have gained citizenship in J&K, along with all associated rights such as voting, employment, professional education and land ownership. In July, the J&K administration decided to grant proprietary rights of state land allocated to WPR families during their resettlement after the 1947 migration.

In addition to WPRs, the Valmikis (Dalits), brought to J&K in 1957 from Punjab’s Gurdaspur district for sanitation work by the then-state government, will also be voting for the first time in Tuesday’s assembly elections.

Approximately 12,000 members residing in Gandhi Nagar and Dogra Hall areas, living in substandard conditions, were previously deprived of voting rights, educational opportunities, job opportunities and land ownership due to the absence of a state subject certificate.

With the scrapping of Article 370, both WPRs and Valmikis can now purchase land, apply for jobs in J&K and even contest elections. The Valmikis can now pursue alternative occupations as well.

Similarly, the Gorkha community in Gorkha Nagar is also brimming with excitement, as they, like the WPRs and Valmikis, prepare to exercise their franchise in the assembly elections for the first time.

Their ancestors migrated from Nepal to Jammu and Kashmir decades ago to serve alongside the former Dogra Army. Even today, most families boast at least one war veteran.

More than 2,000 Gorkha community members reside in this colony, where houses are closely spaced and connected by narrow lanes.