Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Jan 21: Applicants accuse Kashmir University of unfairly favouring Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates in its non-teaching recruitment process while ignoring other reserved categories like Scheduled Tribes (ST), Residents of Backward Areas (RBA), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Actual Line of Control (ALC) and called for equal reservations or their complete removal.
Scores of applicants told Excelsior that the Varsity advertised nearly 50 non-teaching positions over the last six months, but reservations were exclusively allotted to the SC category, excluding all other reserved categories. They claim this violates the Reservation Act 2024, which mandates nearly 50% of positions be distributed among all reserved categories.
Details reveal that of three deputy registrar positions advertised four months ago, one was reserved for SC candidates. Similarly, in January, two of 12 advertised positions-including lab assistants and junior assistants-were allocated to the SC category.
In December, one SC reservation was made for three field and research investigator positions, while six technical assistant positions saw a single SC reservation, with no consideration for other categories.
Aspirants argue that the recruitment process undermines fairness. “The University should either adhere to the Reservation Act 2024 and include all categories or scrap reservations entirely for open merit,” said an applicant. He added, “Preferring one category raises serious concerns about the integrity of the recruitment process.”
Applicants claim that last year’s recruitment process for 240 teaching positions followed reservation norms, ensuring equal representation for all categories. However, the trend over the past six months has deviated from these practices.
“There must be an investigation into why the university is selectively applying reservation rules. The advertised positions should be withdrawn and re-advertised as per the law,” a candidate said, warning they would approach the court if corrective measures are not taken.
The registrar of the University, Naseer Iqbal, told Excelsior that all categories would be included in future recruitment drives.
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