Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: Jammu & Kashmir unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has voiced serious concern over what it terms the continued manipulation of the reservation framework in the Union Territory.
The Party emphasized that reservation is a constitutional right aimed at ensuring equality, dignity and adequate representation for Dalits, OBCs, Tribals and all historically deprived communities, not a favour extended by any government.
According to the BSP, recent years have seen the introduction of new reservation categories and alterations to existing ones without the backing of scientific socio-economic data. The Party claims these changes have steadily diluted the rightful share of SC, ST and OBC communities and sparked deep resentment among deprived youth.
It reiterated the demand for a minimum 27% reservation for OBCs, in line with national standards and Mandal Commission recommendations, as well as 15% reservation for Scheduled Castes to reflect their socio-political conditions.
The BSP further pressed for the restoration of reservation in promotions for SCs and STs, calling it essential for ensuring fair access to higher posts in Government services. Highlighting a major gap in policy planning, the Party noted that no caste-based socio-economic survey has been conducted in J&K since 1947. Based on its own assessment, the BSP estimates that nearly 30% of the region’s population is OBC, 16% SC and 16% ST (now ST-1).
In this context, the BSP demanded that the Government immediately undertake a comprehensive, transparent and time-bound caste census or socio-economic survey in J&K, with representation from SC/ST/OBC communities, minorities, women and social justice groups.
Until the findings of such a survey are made public, the Party urged the administration to freeze all controversial orders and new reservation categories that, in its view, reduce the share of constitutionally mandated groups.
The Party cautioned that if the Government fails to act within a reasonable timeframe, it will initiate a wide-scale public awareness and democratic agitation campaign across J&K.
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