Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 29: Opposing the proposed move of some MLAs bringing Amendment Bill in the State Assembly for continuation of reservation in promotions, the General category people held a massive protest rally, here today.
The protest rally was organized under the banner of Joint Action Committee, an amalgam of various social organizations, like Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha, Mahajan Sabha, Rajput Sabha, Aggarwal Sabha, Jain Sabha and all associated biradaries and sects fighting for the cause of General category people on the issue of reservation on economic basis.
Despite intense hot weather conditions and scorching heat, a large number of general category people from different parts of the State, including Kashmir, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Reasi etc, took part in the protest rally, which was organized at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, near Exhibition Ground Jammu.
Speakers on the occasion, strongly criticized the group of Lawmakers, who are pressing for restoration of reservation in promotions, and warned that these politicians should not take the General category voters for granted.
Ved Prakash Sharma, convener of the Joint Action Committee and president of Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha, informed the gathering about latest move by some MLAs to pursue passage of Bill over-ruling the judgement of High Court striking down the Reservation in Promotion Rules 9, 10 & 34 and Sec 6 of Reservation Act 2005. “The action of these MLAs speaks volumes of the brewing hatred among them against General category masses and they have breached the oath of Constitution taken by them while assuming the charge,” he added.
Narayan Singh, president of the Rajput Sabha, expressed serious concern and displeasure over the conduct of these MLAs, who have been voted to power by all, irrespective of caste, colour and creed and now their approach has become partisan.
Vinod Gupta, president Central Mahajan Sabha, warned the political parties and their MLAs to refrain from playing vote bank politics. “The General category people form nearly 70 percent population of the State and any step of the political parties to muzzle the voice of general category and undermining the judicial verdict shall be suicidal and all such MLAs shall be thrown out of power and a new political alternative shall be given by the general category people,” he said.
Striking a legal chord, the speakers pointed out that the hue and cry, being raised by reserved category people to implement the 77th, 81st , 82nd and 85th Constitutional amendment to J&K, was farce as even their implementation was not going to make any difference to the judgement of High Court. These amendments are for merely enabling provisions and had to undergo the test of compelling reasons, which include backwardness, inadequacy of representation and overall administrative efficiency,” they explained.
Ankur Sharma, convener JAC, Kathua unit, stressed that the Reservation, if at all needs to be provided, must be on economic basis irrespective of caste, creed and colour. “The abolition of reservation in promotions will go a long way in providing relief to general masses as Supreme Court in Indira Sawhney case had stated that reservation in promotions is unconstitutional.
Ravi Khajuria, convenor JAC Samba and Er Salim Bandey Convenor JAC Poonch, said that the High Court judgement and subsequent proceedings are testimony of the fact that these judgements have corrected a constitutional anomaly.
J&K General Category Welfare Forum, led by its president Syed Shamim and patron Aftab Andrabi, reached Jammu from Srinagar to join the protest rally.
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