Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 15: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Jammu (JKHCBAJ) today questioned the intentions of the Government with regard to its policies for youth, particularly alleging continued discrimination against Jammu province.
The concerns were raised during a meeting of the Association’s office bearers, including vice president Baldev Singh, general secretary Pardeep Majotra, joint secretary Anshu Mahajan and Treasurer Rahul Aggarwal.
Nirmal K Kotwal, president JKHCBAJ expressed serious concern over what it described as the Government’s “anti-youth and anti-Jammu” approach.
The association noted that several key issues affecting the youth remain unresolved.
It pointed out that the demand for age relaxation in Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) examinations, over which students had protested across the Union Territory, was ignored and no concrete steps were taken by the government.
JKHCBAJ further highlighted that the long-pending demand of Jammu youth for the establishment of a National Law University in Jammu was also overlooked, as the university was announced for Budgam district in Kashmir province, dealing a major blow to the aspirations of students from Jammu.
Raising fresh concerns, Kotwal criticised the selection process for the Jammu and Kashmir football team for the Santosh Trophy.
It alleged that despite 74 players being shortlisted from Jammu province, not a single player was selected in the final team, while all 20 selected players were from Kashmir province, where only 24 players were shortlisted. The Bar Association also questioned the absence of proper trials in the selection process.
“The discrimination against Jammu has continued for decades despite the region having 43 elected MLAs, a deputy Chief Minister and two Cabinet Ministers, including the Sports Minister,” said Kotwal and expressed disappointment that even elected representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who claim to champion Jammu’s interests, have failed to effectively raise and address these issues.
Condemning what it termed as the Government’s anti-Jammu approach, the association stressed that it is time for the Government to seriously reflect on policies concerning youth and ensure a fair and inclusive future for the young population of Jammu and Kashmir, especially Jammu province.
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