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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
J&K students association launches report seeking reservation policy revamp
The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has launched a detailed report urging the rationalisation of the reservation policy in the Union Territory. The report, prepared in collaboration with the J&K Centre for Peace, Research & Sustainable Development (JKCPRS), a Kashmir-based policy research institute, was released on Monday. The report was launched by JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami, Chairman Mushtaq Habeeb, and Advisor Danish Lone. A delegation from the association also submitted the report to the Chief Minister's Office and met with Nasir Sogami, Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Sogami assured the delegation that 'the researched report will be read, reviewed, and taken into consideration for necessary policy action.' Sogami described the report as a groundbreaking document that critically analyses the current system and points out its structural issues and social inequalities. He said the report offers practical recommendations for a fairer system. Among the 15 key recommendations are conducting a caste-based socio-economic census, dividing sub-groups within reserved categories, revising EWS category criteria, and restoring the 60:40 open merit-to-reserved category ratio. Khuehami said, 'This report is a roadmap. It traces the evolution of reservation trends in J&K, compares them with national and international benchmarks, and highlights glaring disparities that continue to marginalize large sections of society. There is an urgent need for reforms rooted in equity, social justice, and constitutional morality.' The report was created by a 12-member expert committee chaired by JKSA President Ummar Jamal. The team included Faizaan Peer, Danish Lone, Farhat Riyaz, Osheeba Bashir, Adnan Malik, Nazia Israr, Dr. Adil Hussain, Sadiya Farooq Masoodi, Krishna Saproo, Azhar Hassan Mir, Muzamil Ahmad Reshi, and Aamir Akbar. The members came from diverse academic, legal, and policy backgrounds. Khuehami added, 'We are not against reservations. Our fight is against a flawed, disproportionate system that has failed to benefit the genuinely deserving and has sidelined meritorious candidates. We advocate for a balanced framework that ensures both upliftment and meritocracy.' The association plans to connect with civil society groups, schools, and student communities to build wider support for reform. A follow-up white paper will be prepared based on feedback from students, teachers, community leaders, and policy experts. The feedback will be collected through in-person meetings, digital discussions, and written submissions. The association said, 'This must be a people-centric reform process. No voice should be left unheard. We are committed to reaching every section of society to build a unified call for a rational, transparent, and equitable reservation policy.' They added that the goal is not just to challenge the system's flaws but to offer a better way forward. 'Social justice cannot be selective,' the association noted. 'A progressive society must uplift the disadvantaged while also honouring merit. We urge the political leadership to rise above vote-bank politics and initiate an honest, inclusive, and transparent review of the existing reservation framework.' The association also requested a temporary slowdown of recruitment processes in the Union Territory until the reservation issues are addressed. 'We're not calling for a complete halt,' they clarified. 'But continuing recruitment under a flawed system risks grave injustice to open-merit candidates. A temporary pause will provide the necessary time to fix these deep-rooted issues and restore fairness.'
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi University under fire for asking only Kashmiri students for personal details; JKSA calls move discriminatory, seeks Centre's intervention
NEW DELHI: A Delhi University (DU) directive asking students from Jammu and Kashmir to submit personal details has triggered a sharp reaction from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking withdrawal of the "discriminatory" circular. The University, however, has defended the move, citing student safety and a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on intelligence to the criticism, DU Proctor Rajni Abbi told PTI that the directive was issued "for the better safety and security of the students from Jammu and Kashmir," noting that there have been instances where Kashmiri students were harassed or assaulted in some parts of the added that the Delhi Police had sought the data and that the circular followed a request from the MHA based on intelligence inputs related to student circular comes amid the backdrop of a terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam town that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April the attack, J&K students and professionals residing in places outside the Union Territory reported instances of harassment and a letter dated May 6, the JKSA alleged that several DU colleges have asked J&K students to provide their addresses, contact numbers, email IDs, and course details - requirements not imposed on students from any other state or Union Territory. The association described the move as " community profiling " and a violation of fundamental rights."The information is being sought only from Kashmiri students, raising serious concerns of targeted surveillance," the JKSA said in the letter addressed to the Home Minister. "This unjustified surveillance creates an atmosphere of fear and exclusion, rather than integration and belonging."The association warned that such measures risk alienating students from J&K and may hinder their academic experience. "At a time when students should feel supported in their academic pursuits, they are instead gripped by fear and uncertainty," it JKSA also questioned the need for collecting such data, arguing that student details are already available with the university from the admission for Shah's intervention, the JKSA urged the Centre to issue clear guidelines to educational institutions to avoid any form of regional or religious profiling."We believe that your timely intervention can restore faith among Kashmiri students in the institutions meant to protect and nurture them," the letter stated.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Cabinet readies reply to L-G's TBR questions
Cabinet readies reply to L-G's TBR questions After Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha returned a file on Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) to the government, the Cabinet led by CM Omar Abdullah met on Monday to draft a comprehensive response to the queries raised by the L-G with regard to the rules. 'This comprehensive response from the Cabinet will be sent to the Raj Bhawan,' senior National Conference leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq said, adding, 'The TBR is a work in process. And we hope there will be clarity on the issue very soon.' A Cabinet sub-committee formed by Abdullah had okayed the TBR for J&K and sent it to Sinha for his nod in March. JKSA slams Delhi University for 'profiling' Kashmiri pupils The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to Union Home Minister (HM) Amit Shah, urging the immediate withdrawal of a 'discriminatory' circular issued by Delhi University that allegedly profiles students belonging to J&K. According to the association, the directive has triggered concern among Kashmiri students, who have been facing harassment following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. In its letter to Shah, the JKSA warned that the diktat threatens to undermine the constitutional rights and dignity of an entire group of students and undermines the very idea of India as a pluralistic and inclusive democracy. Now, kids 6 yrs & above to be covered under PDS In a move aimed at enhancing food security across Jammu and Kashmir, the government has ordered the inclusion of children aged six years and above under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the union territory. As per an order issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, all children six years and above will now be added to their family ration cards under the relevant categories, such as Antyodaya Anna Yojana, Priority Household or Non-Priority Household, etc, in accordance with the existing guidelines. Besides, any other person eligible for the benefits but not yet covered under the PDS shall also be included as per norms. Fayaz wani Our correspondent in Jammu and Kashmir fayazwani123@
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
J&K students urge Amit Shah to withdraw DU circular seeking personal details; Varsity cites safety
Delhi University's directive requesting personal details from Jammu and Kashmir students has sparked controversy, with the JKSA alleging discriminatory profiling and seeking intervention from Home Minister Amit Shah. The university defends the move as necessary for student safety, citing intelligence inputs and past incidents of harassment. The JKSA argues that such measures create fear and exclusion, hindering academic pursuits. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Delhi University (DU) directive asking students from Jammu and Kashmir to submit personal details has triggered a sharp reaction from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking withdrawal of the "discriminatory" circular. The University, however, has defended the move, citing student safety and a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on intelligence to the criticism, DU Proctor Rajni Abbi told PTI that the directive was issued "for the better safety and security of the students from Jammu and Kashmir," noting that there have been instances where Kashmiri students were harassed or assaulted in some parts of the added that the Delhi Police had sought the data and that the circular followed a request from the MHA based on intelligence inputs related to student circular comes amid the backdrop of a terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam town that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April the attack, J&K students and professionals residing in places outside the Union Territory reported instances of harassment and a letter dated May 6, the JKSA alleged that several DU colleges have asked J&K students to provide their addresses, contact numbers, email IDs, and course details - requirements not imposed on students from any other state or Union Territory. The association described the move as "community profiling" and a violation of fundamental rights."The information is being sought only from Kashmiri students, raising serious concerns of targeted surveillance," the JKSA said in the letter addressed to the Home Minister. "This unjustified surveillance creates an atmosphere of fear and exclusion, rather than integration and belonging."The association warned that such measures risk alienating students from J&K and may hinder their academic experience. "At a time when students should feel supported in their academic pursuits, they are instead gripped by fear and uncertainty," it JKSA also questioned the need for collecting such data, arguing that student details are already available with the university from the admission for Shah's intervention, the JKSA urged the Centre to issue clear guidelines to educational institutions to avoid any form of regional or religious profiling."We believe that your timely intervention can restore faith among Kashmiri students in the institutions meant to protect and nurture them," the letter stated.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
J&K students urge Amit Shah to withdraw DU circular seeking personal details; Varsity cites safety
A Delhi University (DU) directive asking students from Jammu and Kashmir to submit personal details has triggered a sharp reaction from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking withdrawal of the "discriminatory" circular. The University, however, has defended the move, citing student safety and a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on intelligence inputs. Responding to the criticism, DU Proctor Rajni Abbi told PTI that the directive was issued "for the better safety and security of the students from Jammu and Kashmir," noting that there have been instances where Kashmiri students were harassed or assaulted in some parts of the country. She added that the Delhi Police had sought the data and that the circular followed a request from the MHA based on intelligence inputs related to student safety. The circular comes amid the backdrop of a terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam town that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April 22. Following the attack, J&K students and professionals residing in places outside the Union Territory reported instances of harassment and assault. In a letter dated May 6, the JKSA alleged that several DU colleges have asked J&K students to provide their addresses, contact numbers, email IDs, and course details — requirements not imposed on students from any other state or Union Territory. The association described the move as "community profiling" and a violation of fundamental rights. "The information is being sought only from Kashmiri students, raising serious concerns of targeted surveillance," the JKSA said in the letter addressed to the Home Minister. "This unjustified surveillance creates an atmosphere of fear and exclusion, rather than integration and belonging." The association warned that such measures risk alienating students from J&K and may hinder their academic experience. "At a time when students should feel supported in their academic pursuits, they are instead gripped by fear and uncertainty," it said. The JKSA also questioned the need for collecting such data, arguing that student details are already available with the university from the admission process. Calling for Shah's intervention, the JKSA urged the Centre to issue clear guidelines to educational institutions to avoid any form of regional or religious profiling. "We believe that your timely intervention can restore faith among Kashmiri students in the institutions meant to protect and nurture them," the letter stated.
