Srinagar, A significant change to the reservation policy in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration has reduced the open merit share from 60% to 40%, increasing the quota for reserved vacancies to 60%. This policy shift has ignited a fierce debate over its implications on meritocracy and the political motivations behind the change.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the adjustment in the reservation policy is seen by politicians and civil rights activists as a strategy to potentially dilute the influence of the majority Muslim population in the region. Critics argue that the expanded reservation for various categories could be exploited to favor RSS and BJP supporters, thereby altering the demographic and political landscape under the guise of supporting backward classes.

The reduction in open merit vacancies has raised concerns about the erosion of merit-based opportunities for the general population, with fears that it might sideline qualified candidates in favor of those with political affiliations to the ruling party in India. Opponents of the policy are questioning why such a system is not being implemented across India if it is genuinely intended to benefit backward communities, suggesting that the real aim is to manipulate the socio-political fabric of IIOJK.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in the region regarding the central government’s policies, which many locals perceive as attempts to reshape the demographic and political realities in a territory with a contentious status. The debate continues as activists and political leaders call for a reevaluation of the reservation policy to ensure it serves the genuine needs of all communities without compromising fairness or meritocracy.