PDP Urges Reinstatement of Reservation Order for Youth in IIOJK

President PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, urges the reinstatement of a crucial reservation order to ensure fair access to medical education for Kashmir’s youth.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President has called for the reinstatement of a crucial order aimed at ensuring fair access to postgraduate medical courses for youth in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Mufti took to social media to highlight the importance of restoring SRO 49 (2018) of the J&K Reservation Act. This statutory order, introduced during her tenure as Chief Minister, ensured that 75% of seats in postgraduate medical courses were allocated based on open merit. The remaining 25% were reserved for underprivileged categories.

However, recent changes by the New Delhi-appointed lieutenant governor’s administration have altered the quota system. The open merit share has been reduced to just 30%, while 70% of seats are now reserved for specific categories. This shift has sparked criticism, with many arguing that the new distribution does not align with the demographic composition of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti emphasized the disproportionate impact of this change on Kashmiri youth, who represent 65% of the region’s population. She pointed out that these young people have already faced years of political instability, violence, and uncertainty. Now, they are confronted with yet another challenge in securing a place in medical colleges.

The PDP leader stressed that the new reservation policy undermines merit-based admissions and threatens the career prospects of many aspiring students. She described the revised quota system as “unjust” and called for the immediate restoration of the previous order to protect the interests of Kashmiri youth.

Mufti’s appeal underscores the ongoing struggles of the region’s youth, who continue to face barriers in accessing education and employment opportunities. She argued that equitable access to higher education is essential for addressing the long-term socio-economic challenges in Jammu and Kashmir.

With the region still grappling with political instability, Mufti’s call for reinstating SRO 49 reflects broader concerns over fairness in education and equal opportunities for all. Her statement serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusive policies that consider the unique challenges faced by Kashmir’s youth.

The debate over the revised reservation policy is a critical issue for Jammu and Kashmir, with major implications for the region’s future. Mufti’s plea for restoring the previous framework highlights the urgent need for policies that ensure justice, merit, and equal opportunity for the youth of the region.