By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: BJP National VP-Spokesperson and 4th times Parliamentarian, Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda has lauded the transformation of Kashmir Dalit woman Radhika Gill and her Valmiki Community after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah went ahead and abrogated the controversial Article 370 from the Indian Constitution, which had earlier empowered Kashmir Valley with tremendous powers restricting New Delhi’s authority only on Defence and Communication.
Radhika’s family was brought to Kashmir to work as sweepers in 1957. Radhika had cleared the BSF entrance exam earlier . Radhika is also a top Athlete having dozens over Trophies in her hands. But Radhika could only get a job as sweeper because of 370 and 35A but things now changed a lot after Modi-Shah duo went ahead and abrogate it.
Before September 20, 2016, Radhika was unaware of the discrimination and humiliation being meted out to her community in J&K since 1957 as Safai Karmacharis. Despite qualifying for all tests of the Central forces during a recruitment rally, Radhika’s candidature was rejected as she could not produce domicile certificate or State subject.
Jammu and Kashmir Now has made a documentary on 21 year old Radhika Gill, in which it was portrayed how Valmiki community were struggling under Article 370 and how they freed now after Modi Government scrapped it making bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and making 3 Union Territories including Ladakha.
Last year while delivering his address at the Oxford Union debate, the senior BJP leader Panda had highlighted how Dalit woman, particularly, Valmiki community, in which Radhika Gill belongs, facing several discrimination that was legal under Article 370 in Kashmir Valley.
“At the Oxford Union debate last year, I had mentioned Radhika Gill, a young Dalit woman facing several discrimination that was legal under #Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. A year of change , this is her story .do watch,” Jay Panda tweeted on Tuesday with a video clipping of the documentary titled “ Justice Delayed but Delivered,” A film by @JammuKashmirNow.
@JammuKashmirNow tweeted “here is the story of Dalit Radhika Gill’s struggle and hope in Jammu and Kashmir. How did she, her Valmiki community and women get justice after abrogation of #Art370.
