Sir,

As political chatter in Jammu and Kashmir gravitates toward the upcoming Rajya Sabha appointments, another equally consequential matter lies unresolved – the discretionary nomination of five members to the Union Territory’s Legislative Assembly by the Lieutenant Governor. This provision, introduced under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019 and reinforced by the 2023 amendments, remains unimplemented to date.

It is in these unfilled seats that the promise of democratic inclusion can be realized – especially for communities whose voices are often drowned by geography and numbers. One such community is the Buddhist population of Paddar, nestled deep in the Kishtwar district. This remote Himalayan valley, famous for its Machail Mata pilgrimage, century-old monasteries, and

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