HC seeks J&K govt response on plea against reservation policy

Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued a notice to the J&K government in response to a petition challenging the existing reservation policy.
The court has sought the government’s response to the plea, which questions the current reservation guidelines in J&K.
The division bench, comprising Justice Rajnesh Oswal and Justice Mohd. Yousuf Wani, while hearing the petition on November 9, has directed the respondents, which include the J&K government, to file their replies within three weeks. The Court also instructed the petitioners to complete requisite steps for service within one week.
The petition was filed by Dawar Ali, supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Society. The case was argued by Team JUS Advocates & Solicitors Front, New Delhi, Headed by Advocate Junaid Mohammad Junaid.
The petition questions the rationale behind the government’s current reservation policy and seeks its annulment, stating that it violates principles of rationality and equity. It further requests the formation of an independent committee to evaluate and rationalise the reservation framework within a specified time frame, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process.
The next hearing has been scheduled for December 27.
Earlier this year, the Union Territory administration, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, implemented a 10% reservation for the Pahari community. This change increased the total reserved seats across various categories to 60%, leaving only 40% of seats available for general category candidates.
This triggered unrest among aspirants from Open Merit who have been calling for a review of the new policy.