The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), here on Monday has started a careful research and comprehensive report for rationalization of reservation policy in the center area of Jammu and Kashmir.
The report was started in collaboration with J&K Center for Peace, Research and Sustainable Development (JKCPRS); A Kashmir Based Policy Research Institute.
The report was formally launched by Chairman Mushtaq Habib and Advisor Danish Loan by Nasir Khouhemi, the national convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association.
He along with a delegation of the association submitted a report to the Chief Minister’s Office and met Nasir Sogamy, advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, submitted a detailed research report to him. Sogami assured the delegation that “the report of research would be read, reviewed, and necessary policy will be noted for action.”
He emphasized that, this ground research report provides a sharp and important analysis of the existing structure, highlighting deep roots structural anomalies and frequent social inequalities. It also presents practical and actionable recommendations for the purpose of building a more just, justified and equitable system.
He said that a total of 15 major recommendations have been included in the report. These include a caste-based socio-economic census, sub-classification within reserved categories, rationalizing eligibility criteria for EWS category, restoration of 60:40 ratios between open merit and reserved categories and many other significant reforms.
Khoomi said, “This report is a roadmap. It detects the development of reservation trends in Jammu and Kashmir, compares them to the national and international benchmark, and highlights the horrific inequalities marginalized by the large sections of the society. Equality, social justice and constitutionally applied reforms are needed.
The 12-member expert committee made tea by JKSA President Ummar Jamal led the construction of the report. The committee included Faizan Peer, Danish Lone, Farhat Riaz, Oshaba Bashir, Adnan Malik, Nazia Israr, Dr. Adil Hussain, Sadia Farooq Masudi, Krishna Sapro, Azhar Hasan Mir, Mujamil Ahmed Ressi, and Aamir Cherbar are included; Representing a diverse and iconic pool of academic, legal and policy professionals.
Khoomi reiterated, “We are not against reservation. Our fight is against a flawed, inconsistent system that has failed to benefit the really worthy and has sidelined meritorious candidates. We advocate a balanced structure that ensures both upliftment and ability.”
The association will also reach civil society organizations, educational institutions and student bodies to create a widespread consent for reform. To ensure that the procedure remains inclusive and participation, the association will compile a follow -up white paper based on a wide range of stakeholders, including students, teachers, community leaders and policy experts. The outreach strategy includes written presentations to promote physical meetings, digital town halls, and open and inclusive dialogues.
The association insisted that, “This should be a person-centric reform process. No voice should be ignored. We are committed to reaching each section of the society to make integrated calls for a rational, transparent and equitable reservation policy.”
Through this initiative, we are not only challenging systemic flaws, but also presenting a creative path further. “Social justice cannot be selective,” the association said. “A progressive society should also uplift the disadvantaged by respecting the merit. We urge the political leadership to rise above the vote-bank politics and start an honest, inclusive and transparent review of the current reservation structure.”
The association has also asked for a temporary recession in the recruitment drive running in the center area until the discrepancies are addressed in the reservation structure. “We are not calling for a complete stop,” the association clarified. “But a flawed system continues to recruit under risk, serious injustice for open-merit candidates. A temporary stagnation will provide the necessary time to fix these deep root issues and restore fairness.”
