Bhardwaj terms remark baseless, politically motivated
Nishikant Khajuria/ Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 11: Accusing BJP of not implementing reservation in promotions despite bringing Jammu and Kashmir under Central rule and abrogating Article 370, National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmed Gurezi dubbed the saffron party as anti-Scheduled Castes (SCs) thus leading to protest by the main opposition members and commotion during discussion on Demands for Grants of Health, Education and Social Welfare Departments in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
“They (BJP) enact drama by claiming to unite J&K with rest of India and extending all Central Laws here after abrogating Article 370, but never press for the implementation of reservation in promotion for SC/STs,” said the NC MLA.
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Even as several BJP MLAs, particularly those elected from SC reserved constituencies, registered their strong objection over the remarks and sought to counter the allegation, Nazir Gurezi kept firing salvo on the opposition.
“You keep beating the drum in praise of Lt Governor and the works done after abrogation of Article 370. But, why did not you let him implement the reservation in promotion?” he questioned and added that BJP would never get even a single vote of SCs in future because the party never talked of welfare of the community.
BJP MLAs, particularly Sunil Bhardwaj from Ramnagar, Mohan Lal Bhagat from Akhnoor, Bharat Bhushan from Kathua, Surinder Bhagat from Marh and Rajiv Bhagat from Bishnah stood from their seats and registered their strong protest over Nazir Gurezi’s remarks.
However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather did not allow them to speak even as BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia and others also pleaded the Chair that Nazir Gurezi had spoken about a particularly community and therefore members of that community should be allowed to put forward their view point.
The BJP MLAs kept standing on their seats seeking permission to counter the NC MLA’s allegation and even threatened to stage a walk out in protest, the Chair, however, ruled that they would be allowed to speak only on their turn.
Later, after being allowed by the Speaker, Sunil Bhardwaj, BJP MLA from Ramnagar, strongly countered the remarks of NC MLA on SCs/STs terming them as “baseless and politically motivated.”
Bhardwaj emphasized that the current reservation framework is a constitutional safeguard that benefits all of Jammu & Kashmir, not just one region. Asserting that any attempt to divide the Hindu religion will not be tolerated, he highlighted that after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, all constitutional rights have been extended to SCs and STs in J&K.
The BJP MLA accused NC and other Governments in J&K of depriving Valmikis, Gaddis, Sippis, Kolis, and Gadda Brahmans of their constitutional rights for the past 70 years. He also criticized the Budget 2026 for not offering anything for SC/ST students and people, with no increase in scholarships, no new hostels, and no schemes to uplift them from poverty, educational backwardness, and deprivation.
In contrast, he noted that after the implementation of the 73rd/74th amendment, the BJP Government has given a voice to numerous SC/ST leaders in grassroots democracy. He pointed out that SC/STs are hugely benefiting from Central sponsored schemes like PMAY, PMKisan, Ayushman, etc.
In a counter attack, he alleged that the current Government in J&K was not implementing reservation in promotions and transfer policy for Jammu-based category employees working in Kashmir, which requires urgent attention.
Meanwhile, while participating in discussion on Demands for the Grants, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammed Yousf Tarigami opposed the New Education Policy (NEP) of GoI saying that it is in contrast to the previous policy of Government which has guaranteed compulsory and free education up to age of 14 years. He said Union Education Minister has admitted on February 3 in 2025 that many schools were shut down in the country. The MLA said with closure of these schools the STs and OBCs were most affected.
Recalling the role of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, Tarigami said under Naya Kashmir document, the former ensured free education from school to university level. He said by privatising education. the poor would not be able to afford it. He stressed that far flung areas need to be given preference under education sector.
Ridiculing the claims of Government that GDP has increased, Tarigami said that the purchasing power of peasantry, working class and labourers has decreased.. He also showed his utter concern over removal of name of Sher-e-Kashmir from a premier Medical Institute in J&K and described the latter a great personality like Mahatma Gandhi and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru.
BJP MLA from Marh, Surinder Bhagat while highlighting the issues of his constituency said the CT Scan in Marh Hospital is defunct and demanded its immediate restoration. Besides, he added, the Marh SDH has no facilities more than a PHC due to which patients are being referred to Jammu. He alleged that his constituency is still facing discrimination.
As some NC MLAs tried to interrupt Surinder Bhagat, he snubbed them. He demanded Ambulance, Ultra Sound machine and other facilities in Marh Hospital. He also demanded a PHC near Zero Line in his constituency. He said posts of teachers and staff are lying vacant in Higher Secondary schools in his constituency which should be immediately filled up.
Independent MLA, from Thannamandi, Muzafar Khan stressed improvement both in health and education sectors. He said two posts of doctors are lying vacant in Thannamandi since long. There can be shortage of staff but how can a hospital function without a doctor, he asked and demanded that doctors be posted in Thannamandi.
Khan said Thannamandi Hospital was upgraded but it is without staff. He also reiterated his demand for a degree college in Manjakot. He said the Degree College which was constructed five years back has been occupied by CRPF and they should be asked to hand it over to the Department concerned. Besides, he added, the people who gave land for schools have neither been compensated nor given a job as was promised. He also demanded that seasonal teachers be engaged for one year instead of nine months.
Alleging that Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University is in shambles, he said there is lack of faculty and staff is without salary for last three months. It should be brought back on rails, he added.
Independent MLA from Surankot, Choudhary Akram raised several issues of his constituency. He demanded adequate teaching staff in schools, establishment of a Government Degree College, small classrooms, parity in honorarium to the contractual Lectures at par with their counterparts in Ladakh, critical care ambulance, deployment of doctors in PHC, increase in honorarium of Anganwadi workers.
BJP MLA Bharat Bhushan drew attention towards vacancies in Kathua and other newly established Medical colleges, which, he said, are still functioning as mere District Hospitals.
He urged the Minister to strengthen these Medical Colleges, establishment of Government Degree college at Nagri, upgradation of schools in his Assembly constituency, transparent transfer policy, increase in honorarium of Anganwadi workers and contractual teachers, etc.
Nizam-ud-Din Bhat of Congress also participated in the discussion but his words were lost in the din as the BJP members were protesting in the House. He said BJP members should show dignity.
NC MLA Mir Saifullah, while participating in the discussion, also targeted BJP who were on protest. He said what concern they will have for Health and Education sectors when they closed a Medical College in the Jammu region.
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