Omar govt faces backlash as reservation policy delay sparks outrage

As aspirants gear up for tonight’s protest, the government faces mounting pressure to address the reservation controversy transparently and swiftly

By
Chandra Maurya
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As aspirants gear up for tonight’s protest, the government faces mounting pressure to address the reservation controversy transparently and swiftly
As aspirants gear up for tonight’s protest, the government faces mounting pressure to address the reservation controversy transparently and swiftly

Anger mounts as J&K Cabinet refers reservation report to Law Department

Resentment is intensifying against the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir as the Cabinet’s decision to refer the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) report on the contentious reservation policy to the Law Department for legal review has sparked outrage among job aspirants and political parties.

The move, seen by many as a delay tactic, has prompted plans for a massive protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar at 7 PM today.

The J&K Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, met on Wednesday evening at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to discuss the CSC report on reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.

The meeting, attended by CSC members—Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, PHE Minister Javed Rana, and Food Supplies Minister Satish Sharma—alongside Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Agriculture Minister Javed Dar, lasted just over an hour.

After what sources described as “brief” deliberations, the Cabinet directed the CSC to “rework” the report to address legal shortcomings, forwarding it to the Law Department for further examination. No timeline for resolution was provided, fueling public frustration.

On its part, the official spokesman of the UT government has not issued any statement after the cabinet meeting.

Danish Iqbal, a prominent activist, announced plans for a large-scale protest, stating, “We will seek permission from DM Srinagar to organise a massive protest at 7 PM this evening outside the residence of Hon’ble Chief Minister against the willful delay in the rationalisation of reservation.

This protest will NOT BE NC’s in-house planned protest like the last one.” The demonstration follows months of unrest among open merit candidates, who argue that the current policy, with nearly 70% of seats reserved, leaves only 30% for general category aspirants, severely limiting opportunities for merit-based selections.

The existing reservation policy allocates 20% to Scheduled Tribes (10% each for Gujjars/Bakerwals and Pahari Ethnic Tribes), 10% to Residents of Backward Areas, 10% to Economically Weaker Sections, 8% to Other Backward Classes, 8% to Scheduled Castes, and 4% to residents near the Line of Actual Control/International Border. Additionally, a 10% horizontal reservation covers 6% for ex-servicemen and 4% for Persons with Disabilities. Critics highlight that reserved category candidates selected in the open merit category can still opt for reserved seats, further shrinking opportunities for general candidates.

Political parties have also slammed the government’s handling of the issue. PDP MLA Waheed Parra, in a post on X, accused the government of stalling, stating, “The sub-cabinet committee exists to stall the govt’s stand on merit, giving courts time to kill it while J&K’s Social Welfare Dept clearly defended reservations over merit in court.” He further criticized the process, alleging that some students were misled into supporting the committee for “petty favors.”

J&K Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari urged swift action, saying, “Set a clear timeline to resolve the reservation issue. With each passing day, merit continues to be undermined. Government must act swiftly and avoid any delaying tactics.”

The PDP Youth Wing President Aditya Gupta has also written to Omar Abdullah, stating, “The reservation crisis is being prolonged by the elected government itself. It is crucial that the report be made public without any further delay.”

Activists have questioned the need for further legal review, pointing out that Law Secretary Achal Sethi was part of the CSC’s April 6, 2025, meeting. “Wasn’t he consulted during other meetings or before finalizing the recommendations?” an activist asked, noting that every department in the Civil Secretariat has law officers to provide legal opinions. The Open Merit Students Association (J&K) has also demanded transparency, calling for the immediate release of the CSC report to inform the public of the decisions being made.

The issue has been a flashpoint since December 2024, when students, backed by NC MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and PDP’s Waheed Parra, protested outside the Chief Minister’s Gupkar residence. The Omar Abdullah government, under pressure from its own election manifesto promising a merit-friendly policy, formed the CSC on December 10, 2024, with a six-month deadline to review the policy. Despite assurances from Education Minister Sakina Itoo on June 10, 2025, that the report was finalized, the lack of a clear timeline for implementation has deepened distrust.

As aspirants gear up for tonight’s protest, the government faces mounting pressure to address the reservation controversy transparently and swiftly. With legal challenges pending in the J&K High Court and growing public discontent, the delay in rationalizing the policy risks further escalating tensions in the Union Territory.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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Chandra Maurya
Chandra Maurya
Chandra Maurya
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