Srinagar: Political discontent is intensifying in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) over a reservation policy enacted by the BJP-led Indian government, with significant opposition voiced by Ruhullah Mehdi, a senior leader of the National Conference and a Member of Indian Parliament.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Mehdi has criticized the policy after a tweet highlighted that a mere 26% of jobs are allocated to the 70% Open Merit (OM) population. He has threatened to stage a protest outside the residence of the IIOJK Chief Minister if the issue of fair distribution of government jobs is not addressed. Mehdi has raised this concern directly with Omar Abdullah, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.

Mehdi stated, “If the concerns regarding the rationalisation of reservation are not addressed, I will sit with all of you outside the residence or office of the Chief Minister.”

The reservation policy has also faced criticism from other political figures such as People’s Democratic Party MLA Waheed Parra, who challenged the NC-led government’s approach. Parra cited an instance where, of 575 lecturer posts referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) for recruitment, only 238 were for open merit candidates, with 337 reserved for other categories. Parra urged for a policy aligned with population demographics to ensure equitable distribution.

The mounting criticism signifies a broader dissatisfaction with the current reservation system, which critics claim benefits certain groups disproportionately while marginalizing the open merit category. As the issue gains traction, calls for a comprehensive review of the reservation policy have grown stronger.