The Rajya Sabha on Friday passed the three bills on Jammu and Kashmir that seek to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBC) in local bodies, modify the lists of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Union territory.

On February 6, the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bills 2024, the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bills 2024, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill 2024 were passed in the Lok Sabha.

The J&K Local Bodies Amendment Bill, moved by the Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to provide reservation to OBCs in local bodies in the UT.

In Panchayats and Municipalities in the UT, currently, there is no provision for reservation of seats for OBCs, as per the reports.

The Scheduled Castes Order Amendment Bill, which was moved by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, include Valmiki community as a synonym of Chura, Balmiki, Bhangi and Mehtar communities in the list of SC in J&K.

The bill seeks to amend the J&K Scheduled Castes Order of 1956, which identified the castes to be Scheduled Castes in J&K and Ladakh. 

The Constitution Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Tribes Orders Amendment Bill, moved by the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs & Agriculture and Finace Welfare, seeks to amend the Scheduled Tribes Order of 1989 to form a separate lists for ST for J&K and Ladakh.

The Scheduled Tribes Bill, seeks to include four communities, which are Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethinic Group, to the list of ST in J&K.

Later, the discussion for the comnsideration and passage of the three bills ensued in the Rajya Sabha.

Before moving the bills, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar mentioned government’s decision to award Bharat Ratna to former prime ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and P V Narasimha Rao as well as agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan.

Tension sparked in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly on Friday after the detention of the Islamic cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan for giving a call for “Jail Bharo Andolan” over UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s statement.

Addressing the UP Assembly on Wednesday, Adityanath said that Muslims should willingly give up their claim on Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah in Mathura.

Following that, the Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Tauqeer Raza Khan on Thursday, gave a call for the protest against Adityanath and asked his supporters to join him in “Jail Bharo Andolan” and offer their arrest to police.

The situation in Bareilly became worse as Khan’s followers took to the streets after his detention by the police.

To maintain law and order, over 1,000 police personnel were deployed on the spot. Police were also deployed at all the important intersections, populated areas and the entry and exit points of the city.

Senior police officers were assigned to the ground to control the situation.

Earlier on Thursday, violence erupted in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani, in which four persons died and over 100 policemen were injured during a demolition drive in the city. Following that, the district administration suspended internet services and ordered the closure of all schools and colleges.

The Uttarakhand government had put a high alert in the state as a precaution after the violence. Four companies of paramilitary forces were sent to Haldwani in the Nainital district after violence broke out on Thursday in Banbhoolpura during an anti-encroachment drive.  Uttarakhand Police said two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) from Udham Singh also reached Haldwani.

As the bulldozer razed the madrasa and the mosque, the mob started throwing stones at the police personnel and municipal corporation workers, leaving over 60 persons injured. The police tried to disperse the irate mob by resorting to a mild lathi charge and bursting of teargas shells.

Leaders across parties welcomed the Bharat Ratnas to former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao as well as agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi welcomed the announcement of Bharat Ratnas to former PMs Singh and Rao as well as Swaminathan for their contribution to the country. While speaking to a reporter outside Parliament, the former Congress president said she of course welcomes them. Why not, she added.

BJP National President JP Nadda expressed his gratitude over the announcement of Bharat Ratna to former PM Charan Singh and Narasimha Rao as well as Swaminathan. He said the work done by Charan Singh for the overall progress of the agricultural world and the farmer brothers is unforgettable.  

He also praised Rao for his contribution to anchoring the Indian economy through one of its worst crises and opening the doors for rapid economic progress. He was a visionary statesman who possessed a profound intellect and contributed immensely towards securing our national interests, Nadda said.

While talking about the Swaminathan, Nadda said his monumental efforts in the field of agricultural research helped millions of people escape the clutches of hunger and poverty.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for conferring the Bharat Ratna. Taking to X, he praised all three and said Charan Singh, who was dedicated to farmers throughout his life, did many works for the welfare of farmers.

On Rao, Shah said he was the person who shaped the history of the nation with an iconoclastic vision, intellect, and statesmanship.

He also lauded Swaminathan for his contribution to the field of agriculture. Shah said he was a rare genius whose scientific prowess accomplished the Herculean task of leading the nation from an era of food crisis to food security.

The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary, on the announcement of Bharat Ratna to his grandfather, said in Hindi “Dil Jeet Liya” (won hearts).   

He said it was a big moment and an emotional moment for him. He thanked President Draupadi Murmu, PM Modi as this was part of Modi’s vision.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the decision of the Centre and said Bharat Ratna for former PM and farmer leader Charan Singh is the honour of crores of farmers of the country. He added this is even more special for UP as Charan Singh also served as the chief minister of the state.

On Charan Singh, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav welcomed the decision and congratulated all farmers. While addressing the Assembly, he expressed his happiness over the announcement and mentioned his father and former Chief Minister of UP Mulayam Singh Yadav that he had installed Charan Singh’s statue in front of this Vidhan Sabha.

Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati, welcoming the decision of the Centre, also demanded Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram and said the neglect of Dalit personalities in this regard is not correct.