Two BJP legislators walked out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday in support of extending reservation benefits under the 'Pahari' quota to eligible members of the community, including Pakistani refugees. residing in the plains.
MLAs Narinder Singh Raina and Arvind Gupta staged the walkout, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s stance on including 'pahari'-speaking people residing in Jammu and other plain areas.
Replying to Narinder Singh Raina’s question, social welfare minister Sakeena Itoo clarified that the extension of ST (II) benefits—covering the 'pahari'-speaking population among others—is based on ethnic identity and not regional considerations.
She stated, “The ST-I reservation (for Gujjars and Bakerwals) stands implemented uniformly across the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The benefits are given not based on ethnicity, but on the PSP spread across the other communities.”
Responding to whether the government intends to extend ST (II) benefits to the 'pahari' ethnic group members in Jammu to uphold constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination, Itoo affirmed that the policy is consistent with principles of equality, fairness and non-discrimination.
The issue sparked a heated exchange between BJP members and ruling National Conference MLA Aijaz Jan, who strongly opposed extending reservation benefits to 'pahari' families living outside the hilly belts.
His objection was rooted in the principle that individuals who relocate from designated areas become ineligible for benefits tied to a specific geography. Raina countered that if ST (I) beneficiaries enjoy benefits irrespective of residence, the same principle should apply to ST (II) recipients, arguing that geography should not be the sole criterion for extending benefits.
Meanwhile, the reservation policy and its implications are likely to remain contentious in the coming years. Protests from general category students have accused the measures as discriminatory and hindering their prospects.
The issue has also drawn sharp reactions from MPs like Aga Syed Ruhullah, who has threatened protests if general category students’ rights are compromised in any way by the government.
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