The Impact of Kashmir’s Land Laws

India has implemented new laws in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. These new laws initially opened up a clear pathway for Indian citizens to buy land easily within disputed territory. The new rules play a huge role within the Kashmiri society with regards to owning land and property. Let's see how the newly implemented land laws impact Kashmir as a whole.

The Law

The new land laws make for easy access to disputed land and property. The new land laws were modern and progressive “while affording adequate protection against alienation of land to outsiders”, said Rohit Kansal, government spokesman and Principal Secretary. What is included within this law? The new land laws will not only afford protection to over 90% of the land within India but will also help restore the agriculture sector, implement rapid industrialization, bring in economic growth and introduce new jobs.

According to the new laws, no residential certificate or proof of residence is needed to acquire a piece of land in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. There are also no restrictions imposed upon the amount of area to build up a residency, shop, or building as long as it is within the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the flexibility within these new laws, the agricultural land can only be purchased by agriculturalists or people with a career field within framing land.

Source: Op India

Strike Rises

As soon as these new land laws were passed in Kashmir, a strike arose within the Indian administration. The news laws ultimately triggered fears of demographic changes in the disputed region. Due to the rigorous acts of the strike, shops and business were closed down. Public transportation stayed off the roads within the city of Kashmir.

In response to these strikes, the government issued orders for the police forces to gear up and patrol the roads of Kashmir in an effort to shut down the protests as soon as possible. The residents of Kashmir strongly protested the rights of who can and can not gain easy access to the disputed land. They continued to argue that this was against the rights and boundaries of each resident living within Kashmir.

Impact

The protests and riots impacted the city of Kashmir to the bone. Since Kashmir has historically been and continues to be a bone of contention between India and Pakistan with both countries claiming Kashmir as part of their own territorial boundaries, India slowly decided to revert the laws to meet everyone's expectations, although not entirely.

One of the newly implemented laws authorized the Indian army to declare any area within the region as a “strategic” place to be used for training purposes so as to fight against the Kashmiri rebels. When this law came into play, Indian government initially declared that this law was meant to establish peace and justice within the chaotic region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Your Role

Your role, whenever you come across topics such as this one, is to use your voice the best you can. The first step in the right direction would be to stay educated and updated. Staying educated will not only help you better understand any situation, but will also open up a door to gain information about events that take place around the world that we largely remain unaware about unless they directly impact us.

The next step is to stay positive and to reach out. Staying positive will help you to maintain a stable and objective mindset and will allow you to focus your attention towards what kind of steps you can take to make a difference. Lastly, reach out, make sure others are aware as well. Help others stay educated.

Sources Cited:

(n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2021, from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/shutdown-kashmir-protests-indias-land-laws-73939136

Shuja-ul-Haq. (2020, October 28). Explained: Who all can buy land in J&K under new land laws. Retrieved January 17, 2021, from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/explained-who-all-can-buy-land-in-j-k-under-new-land-laws-1735985-2020-10-28

Ashiq, P. (2020, November 02). New Jammu and Kashmir laws protect over 90% of land: Government. Retrieved January 17, 2021, from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/new-jammu-and-kashmir-laws-protect-over-90-of-land-government/article33005348.ece

Kashmir sees strike against controversial new land laws. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2021, from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/kashmir-sees-strike-against-controversial-new-land-laws/2026542

Bukhari, F. (2020, October 28). India changes controversial land laws in disputed Kashmir. Retrieved January 17, 2021, from https://www.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir/india-changes-controversial-land-laws-in-disputed-kashmir-idUSKBN27D0TS