Srinagar, Dec 26: The issue of reservation rationalisation remained the most emotive concern for the youth in Jammu & Kashmir and the most contentious challenge for the elected government in 2025.
If 2024 witnessed protests outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence over the demand for rationalisation of reservation, 2025 saw the issue take centre stage in Jammu & Kashmir politics. MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and Kashmir-based opposition leaders, especially Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone, took on Omar Abdullah-led government head-on over the matter. The issue became the biggest source of discord between the National Conference and its MP Ruhullah Mehdi during the Budgam by-election, resulting in the party’s shock defeat in its traditional stronghold.
Disparity and ‘no deadline’ controversy
Data revealed by the J&K Government in the Assembly on March 15, 2025, showed that the current reservation policy was heavily tilted in favour of Jammu.
The government’s response to Lone’s question-that it had not set a deadline for the Cabinet sub-committee to submit its report-was described by the opposition as backtracking on its commitment. This triggered a major controversy, with Ruhullah stepping in to question the government.
In a bid to stem the controversy, Omar Abdullah announced that the Cabinet sub-committee would submit its report within six months.
CSC Submits Report
On June 10, 2025, Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo, who headed the CSC, announced through a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the Cabinet sub-committee had drafted its report and would soon submit it to the Cabinet. Seven days later, the Cabinet decided to refer the report to the Law Department for examination.
MP links electoral support with reservation report
Ahead of the deadline for filing nominations for the Budgam by-polls, MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi linked his support for the National Conference in the by-polls to the CSC report.
On October 18, 2025, Ruhullah demanded that the report be made public and shared with stakeholders by the next day, stating that his future course of action would be guided by its contents. With Omar Abdullah adamant about not disclosing the CSC recommendations, Ruhullah stayed away from campaigning, leading to the NC’s defeat in Budgam.
Cabinet recommends rationalisation of reservation
On December 3, 2025, the Cabinet recommended reducing the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Reserved Backward Area (RBA) quotas to increase the share of Open Merit (OM) by 10 percent.
All eyes are now on the fate of the cabinet’s recommendations, with fresh job advertisements sparking outrage among OM candidates. (KNO)
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