by: Sayima Wani
In a recent big decision that struck the sensitive nerves of thousands of unemployed youth and slumped them in deep dejection. The amendment in J&K Reservation Rules, 2005 by the Jammu and Kashmir government approved 10% additional reservations for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and slashed the reservations of the general or OM category to a mere 40%. it: The Hindu
The Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) administration has approved 10% reservation for newly-included tribes, including Paharis, in the Schedule Tribe (ST) and added 15 new castes in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
J&K LG Manoj Sinha approved the proposal of the Social Welfare Department to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005.
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“In light of addition of four new tribes i.e. Pahari Ethnic Group, Paddari Tribe, Kolis and Gadda Brahmins, to the Scheduled Tribes Order as applicable to the J&K by the Parliament, the Administrative Council approved 10% reservation in favour of newly added tribes taking the overall reservation for STs to 20%,” a spokesman of the Raj Bhawan said. In order to ensure that both already notified and now newly added tribes get benefits of reservation equally and separately, the Administrative Council, headed by LG Manoj Sinha, approved an equal and separate percentage of reservation for them, which is 10% each. The Council also approved the addition of 15 new castes in OBCs and enhancement of reservation in favour of OBCs to 8%, which will meet the long pending demand of the OBC category in the UT. It also approved change in nomenclature and synonymy of some castes as recommended by the SEBC Commission. With this move, the total reservations in the ST category have now gone up to 20%.
It is crystal clear that about 60% of the seats are reserved for the candidates belonging to SCs, STs, OBCs, EWSs, etc which can be filled only by candidates from the same categories while 40% of the seats are available for the general category. In the merit seats not only the general category but candidates from reserved categories can also compete. Isn’t it sheer injustice with general category candidates?
The main aim of the reservation is to elevate the underprivileged sections of society. In the Ashok Kumar Thakur vs. Union of India case, Justice Ravindran rightly said, “When more people aspire for backwardness rather than forwardness the country itself stagnates”. The undeniable truth is that while seeing the success of others multitude of communities are demanding reservations. Nevertheless, myriad people in these communities are much more advanced and are socially and economically sound. They are living a life of luxury.
This reservation system at the same time is jeopardizing the mental health of OM students. It leads to abhorrence. Unreserved meritorious students are subjected to extreme injustice. The administration is advocating caste over merit and talent. Hence, the reservation system is a significant obstacle to meritocracy. Hundreds of affluent families which include high-ranking officials, well-off professionals, and others have been reaping the benefits of reservations for decades in contrast, students from the general category still struggle to secure a job or obtain admission in their desired professions.
The reservation system thwarts the plans of OM students before they even think about flying. There are poor people in the general category as well who don’t have access to basic needs of life. Democracy can only flourish when every individual in society is given equal and fair treatment. The reservation system is not the way to stabilize the financial conditions of impoverished sections of society instead of that administration should look for alternative measures.
Additionally, in cases where reservations are necessary for certain sections of society then it have to be based on the economic status of the people not on their caste or religion. Instead, of assassinating the hope of OM students administration should make sure to promote the fundamental right of equality by providing equal rights to all regardless of their creed, color, and caste.
Author is a student and can be mailed at sayimawani131@gmail.com
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