Sir,
This is with reference to write-up ‘Nominate members to the LA ….” (DE 22 Feb). B L Saraf has touched on an important issue related to the flow of full democratic process in the State after the election of members to the Legislative Assembly was held five months ago. Out of a total of 95 seats in the Legislative Assembly five are reserved and are to be filled through nomination. The criteria for reserving these five seats have been set forth by the delimitation commission on specific bases like socially marginalised groups, minorities, economically deprived segments etc.
In the first place, we must try to understand that we are now running seventy-fourth year of adoption of the constitution but we still continue with reservations and nominations. Nomination is an unhealthy process in democratic matrix. It denies the potent leadership within the reserved categories the opportunity of contributing to the democratic process. Secondly, nomination by the nominating agency is a flaw because given the weakness of human nature, the spirit of nomination is much likely to be misused or erroneously used.
It is illogical to argue that deferred nomination of five seats does not make any significant impact on the proceedings of the house when in session. The author, Mr Saraf rightly points out that deferring the stipulated nomination defeats the principles which serve as a bedrock for the nomination. The underscored communities or groups remain unempowered and their voice remains muzzled even for the crucial issues directly concerning them.
Take the case of reserving two seats for Kashmiri Pandit migrants (including one for a female candidate) and one seat for the displaced persons from POJK. Both segments enjoy a high rate of literacy among the eligible voters. Reservation denies them the much-needed requirement of the quality of public leadership. Reservation indirectly casts aspersions on the loyalty and nationalistic propensity of the eligible voters among the respective groups. It is subtle and imperceptible discrimination.
The writer has touched on legal and psychological aspects of the policy of deferment of nomination. The administrative machinery should not shy away from the inevitable which may or may not be palatable for it. The time and tide wait for none. Deferring the nominations will give rise to wild speculations which can add to the embarrassment of the authorities. Mr Saraf has hit the nail on the head at the right time. A pragmatic government has to react judiciously to a balanced view on issues of common interest.
K N Pandita
Jammu
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