Hakeem seeks reversal of reservation policy, terms it ‘unjust’ for meritorious

Srinagar, Dec 05: Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), has demanded the immediate reversal of the recent reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it an injustice to the meritorious youth of the region.
The policy, which was introduced by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration earlier this year, has reduced the general category share to 40% while increasing reservations for other categories to 60%, he said in a statement. “This policy is in contradiction to Supreme Court directives and has sparked widespread anger and resentment among the educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Hakeem expressed his strong opposition to the policy, saying that it unfairly disadvantages the general category, which forms the majority of the population. “This new policy is a great injustice to the educated youth of Jammu and Kashmir. By reducing the general category to 40% and raising reservations to 60%, the policy undermines merit and places undue strain on deserving candidates,” he added.
The PDF chief urged the government to revisit the policy immediately and address the concerns of the youth and their families, who he said are deeply upset by the recent changes. He called for an immediate caste census in Jammu and Kashmir to create a transparent and equitable reservation system based on the socio-economic realities of the region.
The former minister said that reservation is a sensitive issue that directly impacts the future of the youth and should be handled above political and vote bank considerations. “The issue of reservation is too crucial to be politicised. It should be treated with the utmost seriousness, and the government should ensure that all categories of society receive fair justice,” he said.