Srinagar: The tranquil aspirations of many open merit candidates in Jammu & Kashmir have been disrupted by recent changes in the reservation policy, leading to widespread discontent and demands for fairness.
Mohammad Ubair, a 25-year-old aspiring to crack the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), found his confidence shaken when news of a 10% reservation for Paharis was carved out of the general/open merit quota, reducing it to just 30%. This move cast a shadow of uncertainty over his dreams and those of many others like him.
On March 15, the Jammu & Kashmir administration approved several changes, including 10% reservation for newly-included tribes like Paharis in the Schedule Tribe (ST) category. Additionally, 15 new castes were added to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), with reservation for OBCs increased to 8%.
While the government’s intention to empower specific communities is acknowledged, the impact on open merit candidates has been profound. The policy change has raised apprehensions among individuals in the open merit category, who argue that their opportunities for securing government jobs are diminishing due to the skewed reservation policy.
The decision has triggered anger and dissent across the valley, with students expressing their frustration on social media platforms. Mir Ruksar posted, “The injustices faced by the general category due to reservation policies are deeply concerning. Deserving individuals are being overlooked simply because of their backgrounds.”
Jasib Shabir echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of an open merit system for fairness and meritocracy. “Let’s push for a level field where everyone can succeed based on skills, not advantages,” Shabir emphasized.
The policy has significantly disrupted the open merit system by allocating only 40% reservation to open merit candidates, while 60% is allocated to different categories. This reduction from the previous 50% share for the General Category to 40% has left many feeling marginalized and betrayed.
Vinkal Sharma, a job aspirant from Jammu, expressed disappointment, stating, “Reducing the open merit to only 30% feels like a betrayal to the remaining 70%. The government needs to rethink this policy.”
Arshad Hussain from Shopian described open merit candidates as “endangered species” facing narrowing opportunities in government sectors. He criticized the political motivations behind such decisions, which he believes come at the cost of open merit candidates’ aspirations.
While Commissioner Secretary to Government, Sheetal Nanda, defended the policy as being in line with the constitution, the discontent among open merit candidates continues to simmer. For students like Ubair and others, the current reservation policies pose significant challenges and hurdles to their ambitions, sparking calls for a more balanced and inclusive approach.
