Synopsis
Sajad Lone of J&KPC highlights severe regional inequalities in reservation certificate distribution in Jammu and Kashmir, calling the situation a 'shocker'. Data shows Jammu overwhelmingly dominates certificate issuance across several categories, raising concerns about the impact on the Kashmiri-speaking population.Key Takeaways
- Significant regional imbalances in reservation certificates across Jammu and Kashmir.
- Scheduled Caste certificates were issued entirely in Jammu.
- ST and EWS categories show similar disparities favoring Jammu.
- Lone criticizes the National Conference-led committee for lack of progress.
- Highlights the marginalization of Kashmiri speakers.
Srinagar, March 15 (NationPress) In a recent social media analysis, Sajad Lone, President of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (J&KPC) and Handwara MLA, has underscored significant regional disparities in the distribution of reservation certificates throughout the Union Territory. He labeled these findings as a 'shocker', according to a statement from J&KPC released on Saturday.
"Data obtained through a question posed by Lone reveals that from April 1, 2023, the Jammu region has overwhelmingly led in the issuance of certificates across almost all categories. Notably, Scheduled Caste certificates were exclusively issued in Jammu, totaling 67,112 certificates (100 percent), with none distributed in Kashmir," the statement elaborated.
"In the Scheduled Tribe category, Jammu issued 459,493 certificates (85.3 percent), while Kashmir only managed 79,813 (14.7 percent). Similar discrepancies are evident in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) (92.3 percent Jammu and 7.7 percent Kashmir), Actual Line of Control (94.3 percent Jammu and 5.7 percent Kashmir), and International Border categories (100 percent Jammu). Even for the Reserved Backward Area category, Jammu issued 52.8 percent of certificates compared to Kashmir's 48.2 percent," Lone stated.
Lone stressed that these inequalities signify a greater loss of reservations for the Kashmiri-speaking population than was initially perceived, asserting that "the entire reservation framework is rigged against the Kashmiri-speaking community and also against ST or EWS individuals residing in Kashmir".
He pointed out that even the ST population in Kashmir is at a disadvantage, representing only 15 percent of total applicants from the ST demographic.
"While the numbers for Residents of Backward Areas (RBA) appear more equitable, Lone noted that when adjusted for Kashmir's nearly seven percent larger population, the region still falls behind Jammu proportionally," he remarked.
Lone also criticized the committee formed by the National Conference-led government on December 10, 2024, to address these issues, highlighting its lack of a specific timeline for submitting its report, despite prior announcements of a six-month deadline.
Earlier, during his address to the Assembly on Thursday, the J&KPC President underscored the increasing marginalization of Kashmiri-speaking individuals due to what he described as a deeply unfair reservation system.
Lone presented a data-driven case illustrating the systematic decline in the representation of Kashmiri speakers in prestigious roles, claiming that the existing reservation structure is fostering a type of "social disempowerment" for the community.
