Pakistan summoned the Indian Charge d’Affaires and handed over a demarche, stating its “categorical rejection” of the report of the Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission, alleging that it was aimed at disenfranchising and disempowering the Muslim majority population of Jammu and Kashmir.

The three-member commission, set up by the Indian government for carving out parliamentary and assembly seats after New Delhi reorganized the state by splitting it into two union territories in August 2019, published its final report on Thursday, awarding 43 seats to Hindu dominated Jammu decision and 47 seats to Muslim majority Kashmir division of the total 90 assembly segments.

“Any illegal, unilateral, and mischievous attempt by India to allow disproportionately higher electoral representation to the Hindu population to the detriment of the Muslim population, is a mockery of all norms of democracy, morality, and India’s obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions and international law,” The Express Tribune quoted a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

Islamabad alleged that the exercise was done in a way to “disincentivize” the state’s majority Muslim population. Terming the exercise “farcical”, Pakistan said it was yet another step to lend “legitimacy” to what it called the “illegal actions” of August 2019, a reference to New Delhi’s move of ending the special status of the state.

In 2019, ties between the two countries hit a new low after India abolished the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Islalamad to suspend whatever little trade relations were existing between the two rivals.

Under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir were made into two union territories, the latter one with a legislature. Pakistan called the move “illegal” and “unconstitutional” and accused New Delhi of attempts to change the demography of the state. 

(SAM)