SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti launched a scathing attack on the government, alleging that the ongoing reservation policy has pushed Kashmiri youth to the margins and eroded their share in state employment.
Addressing a workers’ meeting in Srinagar, Mufti said the biggest challenge facing the younger generation of Jammu and Kashmir today is the “unjust and discriminatory” reservation system that has, in her words, “severely impacted Kashmiri students.”
“The share of Kashmiris in government jobs, the police, and even the secretariat is shrinking with each passing day,” she said, accusing the ruling National Conference-led administration of maintaining “a criminal silence” on the issue.
Mehbooba accused those in power of “hiding behind excuses” rather than taking decisive action to correct what she described as an institutional bias in recruitment and employment opportunities. “Those at the helm have failed to protect the interests of Kashmiri youth. Their apathy has deepened the sense of alienation and injustice,” she said.
The PDP chief called for immediate review of the recruitment and reservation processes, warning that the ongoing disparities could have long-term social and political consequences. She also urged political parties and civil society groups to speak up against what she termed as the “systematic exclusion” of Kashmiris from key government institutions.
Her remarks come amid rising concerns in the Valley over shrinking representation of local candidates in recent recruitment drives and administrative appointments.
