Excelsior Correspondent
26JAMMU, Dec 25: A joint meeting under the banner of OBC Adhikar Tiranga Yatra was held in Jammu, presided over by Ghulam Hassan Sheer Gujri (president of the J&K OBC Welfare Forum).
The meeting brought together representatives from various OBC organizations, including All J&K OBC Mahasabha, All J&K OBC Welfare Forum, All India Backward Classes Federation (AIBCF), and the Backward Classes Union (Rajouri-Poonch), to discuss the issues faced by OBC communities in the region. The attendees welcomed political parties’ calls for a caste census or survey, which they believe is essential for addressing OBC reservation and representation challenges.
Kasturi Lal Basotra, Chairman of OBC Mahasabha, condemned former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti’s statement denying the existence of OBC communities in Kashmir. Basotra cited findings from various commissions that show over 80% of Kashmir’s population belongs to OBCs, including marginalized groups like Bahach Hanjie, Sikarawala, Kumhars, Hajam, Zargar, Gojar, and others.
Faquir Chand Satia, president of AIBCF (J&K Unit), expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP’s handling of OBC issues after the abrogation of Article 370. He criticized the BJP for retaining the J&K State Reservation Act (2004) and SRO-294 (2005), limiting OBC reservations to 8% instead of the 27% mandated by central rules. Satia also highlighted the lack of OBC representation in the two commissions formed by the BJP Government. He demanded the abolition of the creamy layer clause for OBCs, the inclusion of Yogi and Bowria castes in the central OBC list, and the restoration of scholarships for OBC students.
The meeting resolved to push for immediate implementation of 27% OBC reservation in J&K, abolition of the creamy layer policy, inclusion of underrepresented castes in the central OBC list, and recognition of urban OBC communities. The gathering concluded with a call for the Government to address the systemic discrimination faced by OBCs.
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