Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, Dec 24: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief, Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the ongoing reservation row, stating that the merit has become the biggest ‘casualty’ in the region.
Speaking over the issue, the PDP chief highlighted the importance of hard work and ability, lamenting that these virtues no longer hold value in the current system and that the merit has become the biggest ‘casualty’ at this point of time.
“What do we tell our children now? That their hard work and capability have no place in this system?” she said.
Taking dig at the National Conference, Mufti pointed out that none of its MPs had raised the issue in Parliament over the past year, despite the mandate they received from the youth. “They promised to address rationalization of reservations without compromising Open Merit, but their silence is deafening,” she said.
She also criticized the government for relying on the judiciary to resolve the matter. “If this government with a strong majority and 50 MLAs cannot act, who will? Waiting for court decisions is a poor excuse when there are administrative measures that can be implemented,” Mufti added, citing her own tenure when she introduced SRO 49 to ensure a 75% quota for open merit in postgraduate courses.
Mufti urged Omar Abdullah and the National Conference to take immediate action to safeguard the rights of Open Merit candidates while ensuring reserved categories receive fair representation. “A balanced approach is needed to prevent further alienation of our youth,” she said.
Mufti said that the issue must not be overlooked and that the issue was not just a policy debate but about the future of an entire generation.
