The recent debate surrounding the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified, provoking protests and heated discussions among students, political leaders, and civil society. At the center of these discussions is Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, who has emerged as a prominent voice advocating for the rationalization of the controversial policy.
On December 23, 2023, Ruhullah led a significant protest outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence, emphasizing the need for prioritizing student reservations over personal political battles. During the protest, he remarked, "The biggest and most important thing... was the reservation. The students, their reservation, their future. I am not important; no one else is important. No other issue is important." His comments were aimed at redirecting the focus from political criticism to the pressing needs of students affected by the new reservation guidelines.
The recent changes to the reservation policy introduced by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration have drawn widespread criticism. The general merit quota, which has been drastically reduced from 50% to 40%, has caused alarm among students, particularly those from the general category, who make up 69% of the Union Territory's population. This disproportionate quota system stands out across India, where reservation policies align more closely with specific caste populations.
Among those voicing their concerns is Ishfaq Ahmad, who recently completed his PhD and aspired to secure government employment which is increasingly under threat due to the new measures. Ahmad, along with hundreds of others, has expressed dismay at the diminishing job opportunities and has stated, "We aren’t against the reservation system but it should be based on the parameters followed in other States." This sentiment reflects growing frustration among students who feel the current allocation does not support equitable access to government jobs.
The amendment passed by the Lok Sabha to include several communities under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category aims to empower groups like the Pahari ethnic group and others. Nevertheless, the policy maintains existing reservations for already recognized ST communities, leading to discontent among those advocating for meritocratic job allocation.
Students are increasingly vocal about their objections to the system, particularly medical students who are rallying against the drastically reduced open merit seats for NEET PG admissions. Aatif Sanaie, one such student, lamented the changes, saying, "It is regrettable... it has been reduced to just 40 percent." This outcry reflects the broader anxiety among youths about their future prospects, now overshadowed by policies they believe disadvantage them.
Ruhullah's call for reform has created friction within the National Conference, as party colleague Salman Sagar criticized him, claiming he is aligned with opposition forces. Ruhullah countered this critique by stressing the nonpartisan nature of his advocacy and insisting on the importance of prioritizing students' futures.
"Not everything is staged, as Altaf Bukhari imagines. He himself is a planted entity, and he thinks everything operates this way," Ruhullah offensive retort underscored the indignation among party members over the internal discord resulting from the protests. The dissatisfaction with the reservation policy is not limited to protests; it has also moved to judicial scrutiny, with aspirants challenging the controversial changes at the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.
The legal challenges highlight the tension between uplifting underprivileged classes and ensuring meritocracy within the workforce. Petitioners have argued for the validity of the reservation policy, stating, "The reservation policy aims to uplift the unprivileged classes, but it should not be at the cost of merit and percentage of open merit."
Political analysts like Noor Ahmad Baba express concern over how this reservation policy perpetuates societal divisions, saying, "The policy was formulated by the central government... There is ambiguity whether the Abdullah-led government possesses the authority to reverse the policy." This uncertainty places the elected government in precarious territory where any adjustment could alienate sections of its electorate.
Political commentator Suheel Rasool Mir emphasized the dire need for restructuring the current reservation policy. "The government should take steps to do away with such imbalance and focus more on underdeveloped groups than the already developed ones," he asserted, calling for fairer distribution of opportunities across communities.
With Jammu and Kashmir grappling with one of the highest unemployment rates nationally, the conflict over the reservation policy parallels the larger discourse around regional development and youth aspirations. The government’s push to attract investments post-Article 370 revocation has not yielded the anticipated outcomes, with declining investments contributing to steep unemployment, which was reported at 32% as of September 2024.
The struggle for equitable job access and the future of educational opportunities for students like Ishfaq Ahmad reflect the urgent need for policymakers to address these pressing issues. The reservation debate is far from over, as activists and students continue to advocate for their rights, calling for justice and fairness amid politically charged dynamics.
