Students launch digital signature campaign for quota review in Kashmir
Srinagar: Students in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have launched a digital signature campaign demanding immediate review of the territory’s reservation policy, saying prolonged government inaction is jeopardizing their future.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the move comes after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently announced a public signature campaign for the restoration of Kashmir’s statehood. Inspired by the idea, the Open Merit Students Association has started its own campaign to highlight what they call the “unjust and unfair” quota system.
The students said it has been over two months since the Cabinet Sub-Committee submitted its report on reservation-related matters to the Law Department, but no decision has been taken so far. They pointed out that in 2024, the Modi-backed administration under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha granted 10 percent reservation to the Pahari community, further squeezing opportunities for general category youth in jobs and admissions.
Sahil Parray of the association told the media that they had already collected more than 6,500 online signatures and were aiming for 50,000. He said the earlier offline campaign submitted to the Chief Minister was ignored, but students hoped the latest effort would compel authorities to respond.
“Since the Chief Minister himself endorsed public campaigns, we expect him to also consider ours. The future of our youth is at stake,” Parray said.
The students have demanded that the government urgently make public the Cabinet Sub-Committee report and take a swift decision on the reservation policy, stressing that their struggle will continue until their voices are heard.
