Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: A massive protest was organized by SC, ST, and OBC communities who voiced their strong opposition to the proposed Reservation Amendment Bill 2025.
The Bill to be introduced by NC MLA, Bashir Ahmed Veeri, seeks to reduce reservation quotas for these communities.
A join call was given by All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations, OBC Mahasabha, Backward Classes Federation, Gujjar Bakarwal Isleai Committee, Welfare Forum Kashmir, Lok Adhikar Mission, Bheem Kranti Sena, NSYF and many other organizations to protest against the proposed Bill. Protesters gathered in large numbers at the Press Club here, raising slogans against the Bill and demanding its immediate rejection.
They demanded increase in reservation quotas, with SC reservations raised from 8% to 10%, ST-I from 10% to 12%, and OBC from 8% to 27%. Additionally, they called for the restoration of reservation in promotions, as per the judgment of the CAT and the High Court of J&K.
Rejecting the OBC Commission’s report on Urban Local Body (ULB) reservations, the protesters claimed it was based on inaccurate data provided by District Commissioners. They demanded a fresh door-to-door survey to ensure accurate representation. Another major demand was the removal of the “Rural/Village” tag from the Central OBC List, as communities like Nai, Kumhar, Teeli, and Dhobi face unfair categorization based on residency.
Concern was raised regarding the weak enforcement of the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Protesters urged for immediate and strict enforcement of the law.
They also demanded the restoration of the SC roster point as per SRO-294, as the recent change in roster points (S.O. 305 dated 21.04.2024) negatively impacted SC candidates. The reduction of age relaxation for SC/ST candidates from five years to three years was also opposed.
The protesters emphasized the need to fill backlog vacancies for SC/ST/OBC candidates through special recruitment drive.
The absence of SC and OBC members in the J&K PSC was strongly criticized.
Additional demands included the regularization of Safai Karamcharis, the establishment of English medium schools for their children, and the restoration of the old pension scheme for employees, etc.
The protest march proceeded towards the Assembly, but the police halted the demonstrators at Indra Chowk.
Prominent speakers at the protest included R K Kalsotra, Bansi Lal Choudhary, Faqir Chand Satia, Amir-ud-din Kasana, Ghulam Hussain Sheer-Gujri, Ramesh Uttama, Kali Dass Bangotra, Dr. Ramesh Kaith, Ajay Thappa and many others.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
