Explainer
Explained: Reservation policies cause a political firestorm in JK
Srinagar: Since 2019, reservation bills and subsequent amendments have ignited a political firestorm in Jammu and Kashmir (JK). Political parties remain locked in a war of words, calling the policies “unfair,” while student advocates demand accountability for quota percentages in the absence of a caste census.
Catch up: In July 2019, the parliament of India passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Bill. The BJP-led government in Delhi extended the 77th Constitutional Amendment of 1995 to J&K, granting promotion reservations to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government services.
It also applied the 103rd Constitutional Amendment of 2019, providing a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the general category. Regional parties, however, deemed these actions unconstitutional due to the absence of an elected government in JK.
In February 2023, the reservation policy saw further changes as the Centre added the Pahari ethnic group, Gadda Brahmins, Kolis, and Paddari tribes to the Scheduled Tribe list, granting them an additional 10% reservation through an amendment.
These changes sparked opposition from multiple parties and became key campaign issues for the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party.
Numbers: According to the 2011 census of Jammu and Kashmir: Scheduled caste: 7.54% of the population, or 924,485 people. Scheduled tribe: 10.39% of the population, or 1,275,106 people
Why it matters: Before 2019, reservations in Jammu and Kashmir stood at 52% across various categories. Today, with expanded quotas, they have been pushed to 70%, significantly reducing opportunities for the majority population in the region’s governmental sector — the largest employer.
The big picture: Jammu and Kashmir consistently ranks among the regions with the highest unemployment rates, according to government surveys. The rate has climbed from 29% last year to 32% in the July–September quarter of this year.
With limited job opportunities, the unemployment crisis is exacerbated for general-category aspirants. Experts argue that, without a caste census, the basis for the current quota percentages remains questionable
Zoom out: The BJP has been actively campaigning for expanded reservations in the lead-up to parliamentary and assembly elections, capitalising on the absence of a state government
Who is saying what
The National Conference-led government has formed a three-member panel to take a “holistic view” of the reservation issue.
However, its Srinagar MP, Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, urged aggrieved students to exercise patience in a recent statement on social media
Meanwhile, PDP leader Waheed Parra has labelled the current policy an “injustice” and called for a government review.
Another day, another shocker! Out of 575 lecturer posts referred to JKPSC for recruitment, only 238 are for open merit students, while 337 are reserved. This injustice needs to stop! Fail to understand why is the NC led govt continuing with BJP introduced reservation policy?…
— Waheed Para (@parawahid) November 19, 2024
On the other hand, tribal activists have backed the policy review while emphasizing the need for a caste census to ensure equitable reservations despite facing casteist slurs on social media.
J&K govt, led by @OmarAbdullah has directed the formation of a cabinet sub-commission to review the new reservation policy. It’s good if their focus is solely on the new policy, but any alterations to the existing reservation categories will not be tolerated at any cost.
— Amir عامر (@Amirchoudhary__) November 22, 2024
The deadlines: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has announced a protest for December 5, pressing for changes to the reservation policy.
Meanwhile, MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has pledged to raise the issue during the winter session of Parliament. He has also vowed to protest outside the Chief Minister’s office if the matter remains unresolved by December 22.
