Reservation Policy Sparks Fury in IIOJK

Political unrest continues to mount in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) over the BJP-led government’s controversial reservation policy, which has been denounced as blatantly unjust. National Conference (NC) leader and Member of Indian Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi has vowed to lead protests against the policy, citing its deeply flawed implementation.

The controversy gained attention after a tweet revealed that only 26% of government jobs were allocated to the 70% Open Merit (OM) population. Mehdi, condemning the skewed distribution, announced his intent to stage a protest outside the residence of the IIOJK Chief Minister. He also disclosed raising the issue with Omar Abdullah twice, underscoring the urgency of addressing this discriminatory policy.

Mehdi criticized the government’s refusal to ensure fairness in job allocation and called for immediate reforms. Warning of escalating action, he stated that he would join others in protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence if the grievances were ignored. His strong words reflect the growing frustration among Kashmiris over policies seen as undermining merit and justice.

Adding fuel to the fire, People’s Democratic Party MLA Waheed Parra also lambasted the policy, highlighting a glaring example of its inequity. Out of 575 lecturer posts referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), only 238 were allocated to open merit candidates, while a staggering 337 were reserved for other categories. Parra denounced this as a gross injustice, demanding that the policy align with population demographics to ensure equitable job distribution.

The reservation policy has sparked widespread outrage, with critics accusing the BJP-led government of deepening divisions in an already fragile region. Many see the policy as an instrument of political manipulation, designed to reward favored groups at the expense of the majority. This blatant disregard for fairness is seen as another move to marginalize Kashmiris under the guise of governance.

Public sentiment against the policy reflects a broader dissatisfaction with BJP’s tactics in IIOJK. Opponents argue that the reservation system disproportionately benefits certain groups while leaving the open merit category grossly underrepresented. Calls for a complete overhaul of the policy have gained momentum, with protests and criticism becoming increasingly vocal.

The BJP’s reservation strategy has become a lightning rod for dissent in IIOJK, further exposing the party’s authoritarian grip over the region. Unless swift corrective measures are taken, the simmering resentment is likely to erupt into widespread protests, amplifying the calls for justice and fairness in an already volatile political landscape.