SRINAGAR: Cutting across party lines, members from almost all political parties today staged a walkout from the Legislative Assembly (LA), demanding restoration of reservation in promotions for the reserved classes.
However, the government said since the matter is sub-judice, therefore, the House cannot debate it.
As soon as Speaker Kavinder Gupta entered the House, all members belonging to the Backward Class were on their feet, demanding that the government amend the Constitution and allow reservation in promotions for the backward classes.
Raising slogans ‘Reservation ko Bahal Karoo’, the members continued their protest, though the Speaker repeatedly asked them to resume their seats and allow Question Hour.
However, Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan said since the matter is sub-judice, no debate on the issue could be held in the House.
The agitated members later stormed into the Well of House, shouting slogans in favour of their demand. However, nothing was audible as everyone was raising slogans.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on October 10, 2015 had struck down the state government’s policy of reservation in promotions, on the basis of which several officials of different departments were promoted since 2005.
In an order that will impact many, the Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justices Hasnain Massodi and Janak Raj Kotwal, in a bunch of petitions, held that there shall be no benefit of reservation in promotions in the state of J&K and struck down Section 6 Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act 2004, and Rules 9, 10 and 34 Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules 2005 as ultra vires.
Former minister and Congress Member from Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora alleged that government deliberately did not defend the reservation case in the court.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Nazir Ahmad Gurezi alleged that the Government failed to extend the amended law on SC and ST to Jammu and Kashmir, when similar situation rose in the country.
”You are extending only those laws to J&K, which are in your favour,” he alleged and asked why can’t the government extend the amendment in the Constitution, which preserves reservation for backward classes in promotions to J&K.
However, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Law & Justice Abdul Haq Khan reiterated that the matter can’t be discussed as it is sub-judice in the highest court of the country.
As the discussion on the issue was not allowed, the members, including from NC, BJP, Congress, and PDP belonging to backward classes, staged walkout from the House. (AGENCIES)
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