Srinagar March 18 (KNS): Renowned social activist Ahmad Ayaz has strongly criticized the newly announced reservation policy, calling it a politically motivated move aimed at sidelining the Kashmiri-speaking population.
"The policy appears to be crafted in a way that benefits certain groups while systematically disadvantaging the majority community in the Valley," Ayaz stated. Expressing serious concerns over its long-term implications, he warned that such measures would further deepen regional and ethnic divides.
"Many in Kashmir already feel that, post-August 2019, policies have been designed to dilute their political and social influence. This reservation policy only reinforces that perception," he added. Ayaz emphasized that such decisions risk alienating the Kashmiri-speaking population while seemingly favoring communities aligned with the ruling establishment.
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He pointed out that the response on the ground has been one of quiet frustration rather than open protest, with discussions primarily taking place in private and on social media. "People are questioning why the policy overlooks the majority community in the Valley. There is a growing belief that this is part of a broader strategy to alter the socio-political balance in J&K, especially in the run-up to potential assembly elections," he remarked.
Highlighting the long-term impact, Ayaz cautioned that politically and economically disempowering a significant section of the population could erode trust in institutions and governance. "Resentment doesn’t just fade away—it simmers and can manifest in various forms, including electoral backlash or increased alienation from the system," he cautioned.(KNS)