NK Report
SRINAGAR: Kashmiri students have kicked-off a massive digital signature campaign demanding immediate review of the Jammu and Kashmir’s quota reservation policy, saying that prolonged government inaction and callous attitude is jeopardizing their future.
The drive was launched after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently announced a public signature campaign for the restoration of Kashmir’s statehood.
Inspired by the idea, the Kashmir Open Merit Students Association (KOMSA) has started its own campaign to highlight what they call the “unjust and unfair” quota system.
The students revealed that KOMSA launched hte drive after passage of over two months since the Cabinet Sub-Committee submitted its report on reservation-related matters to the Law Department, but no decision has been taken so far.
They pointed out that in 2024, the Modi-backed Kashmir administration under Manoj Sinha granted 10 per cent reservation to the Pahari community, further squeezing opportunities for general category youth in jobs and admissions.
KOMSA activist, Sahil Parray revealed to media that they had already collected more than 6,500 online signatures and were aiming for 50,000. He said the earlier offline campaign submitted to the Chief Minister was ignored, but students hoped the latest effort would compel authorities to respond.
“Since the Chief Minister himself endorsed public campaigns, we expect him to also consider ours. The future of our youth is at stake,” Parray said.
The students have demanded that the government urgently make public the Cabinet Sub-Committee report and take a swift decision on the reservation policy, stressing that their struggle will continue until their voices are heard.
