Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Not refugees; citizens” (December 27). It is an irony that all these while, the refugees, who had taken recourse in Jammu & Kashmir after partition, have been struggling for basic rights. Their counterparts in other parts of the country are not only affluent but also well-educated, and two among them have even adorned the prime ministerial post.
It is disheartening that the Congress, which ruled the country for over six decades, did almost nothing for these people, and continues to maintain silence over the issue.
The Union Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has done a commendable job by announcing a package of Rs2,000 crore for refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. At present, the ruling party enjoys an absolute majority in the lok Sabha. If it wins in Uttar Pradesh and one or two more States, it will gain an upper hand in the Rajya Sabha too. Scrapping of the draconian Article 370 is essential to get rid of the inhumane treatment meted out to the refugees from west Pakistan.