Kashmiris should not bear burden of ‘cruel system of reservations’: Sajad Lone

Srinagar, Nov 26: Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the ongoing debate surrounding the reservation system, describing it as a “reality” that must be acknowledged. He referred to it as the “big white elephant in the room” and called for a balanced approach that does not undermine the rights and dignity of the Kashmiri-speaking population.
Lone said that while affirmative action is important and necessary, it should not come at the expense of the Kashmiri community. “The Kashmiri-speaking population has been pushed into a corner for decades,” he said, explaining that the valley’s people have long faced hardships, including being subjected to Public Safety Acts (PSAs), physical harm, and arrests. He pointed out that many Kashmiri people have been killed, injured, jailed and denied police verification. “And now comes the issue of reservations,” he added.
The PC chief’s remarks highlighted the deepening concerns among the Kashmiri people, who fear that the introduction of the reservation system will only further marginalise them. He accused both current and past Union governments of deliberately disempowering the Kashmiri community in the name of national interest, calling it a “cruel system of reservations” that aims to make Kashmiris “socially and economically subservient” to other communities.
The introduction of reservations, Sajad believes, risks sidelining the local Kashmiri-speaking population, who have already faced numerous challenges due to decades of conflict and political instability.
In response to the growing concerns, the government has taken steps to address the issue. A sub-committee has already been formed to examine the matter and propose solutions that would ensure fair implementation of the reservation system, while also protecting the interests of the Kashmiri people.
The sub-committee is expected to submit its report to the government soon, offering recommendations on how to address the concerns raised by various communities, including the Kashmiri-speaking population.