Srinagar, Sept 19: Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti on Saturday led a protest in Srinagar demanding greater transparency over the Jammu and Kashmir government’s review of the reservation policy and the public release of the Cabinet Sub Committee’s report on its rationalisation.
The protesters raised concerns over the share of opportunities available to Open Merit candidates and sought disclosure of the recommendations made by the committee, which was constituted to examine and review the reservation framework in the Union Territory.
Addressing the protesters, Mufti said students and job aspirants had a right to know the recommendations of the panel, arguing that the issue directly affects their prospects in education and government employment.
She called on the government to place the report in the public domain and urged that any changes to the existing reservation framework be considered through a transparent and consultative process.
The J&K government has previously informed the Legislative Assembly that the Cabinet Sub Committee has submitted its report and that it remains under consideration by the competent authority. It has also said that the existing reservation policy and relevant statutory provisions will continue until the report is approved.
The reservation issue has remained a subject of debate in J&K following changes to the reservation framework in 2024, including the extension of Scheduled Tribe reservation to the Pahari community. The government subsequently constituted the Cabinet Sub Committee to examine various aspects of the policy and its rationalisation.
The government approved its response to queries raised by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on the reservation proposal in June this year. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said the government’s replies to the Centre’s queries had been prepared before being placed before the Cabinet for approval.
The protesters demanded that the committee’s recommendations be made public so that students, job aspirants and other stakeholders can examine the proposed changes to the reservation framework.
