PDP MLA Waheed Para Criticises Jammu and Kashmir Government for Inaction on Reservation Policy

PDP MLA Waheed Para has accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of showing no intent to address the critical reservation policy issue, which he claims affects the future of youth. He urges transparency and action from the government regarding the existing quota policy.

Waheed Para, a PDP MLA, criticised the Omar Abdullah administration in Jammu and Kashmir for lacking commitment to resolve the reservation issue. He stated that the current quota policy has become crucial for the future of younger generations. "The reservation policy has become an existential issue that strikes at the very foundation of the future of our younger generations," Para expressed in a post on X.

Para's comments come as general category students prepare to resume their peaceful protest against the delay in revising the quota policy. This protest follows a year after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah established a committee to tackle the issue. "Unfortunately, during this entire period, there has been absolutely zero intent on the part of the government towards resolving this issue, which has only compounded the uncertainty and anxiety shadowing our youth," Para said.

Reservation Policy Concerns

The Pulwama MLA emphasised that the sit-in serves as a reminder to the government to act transparently and overhaul the current reservation policy. "This sit-in is a reminder to the government of its obligation to act with transparency and revamp the existing draconian reservation policy," he noted. Para insisted that at a minimum, the reservation report should be made public.

He argued there is no reason to keep the Cabinet sub-committee's report secret, even if its recommendations await approval from the lieutenant governor. "Further, if the elected government maintains that the matter presently rests with the lieutenant governor, there can still be no justification for withholding the report from public scrutiny," Para stated.

Call for Accountability

Para stressed that responsibility must be recognised, and institutions like the Chief Minister's office and Lieutenant Governor's office should not be exempt from public accountability. "The responsibility, wherever it may lie, must be acknowledged and institutions, including the office of the CM and the L-G, cannot be insulated from public accountability," he remarked.

The reservation issue remains highly sensitive, and Para affirmed his support for fairness and timely resolution. "The reservation issue is an exceptionally sensitive one and 'we unequivocally endorse the demand for fairness and its timely redressal'," he added.

With inputs from PTI