Srinagar, Dec 09 (KNS): Raising sharp concern over the new reservation and merit policies in Jammu and Kashmir, Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said the government was creating “injustice and imbalance” by altering open merit and category quotas without proper population-based assessment.

Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), he said the majority population “cannot be choked for political gains,” and added that reservation must follow logic, data and fairness.

Bukhari said that if Muslim students can study in Islamic University or Baba Ghulam Shah University without restrictions, the same principle must apply everywhere. According to him, the objection raised in the Vaishnodevi case suggests political involvement.

Speaking on the BJP, Bukhari said the party was taking steps that could “damage the foundations of the country”. He said the party often presents itself as a champion of merit and transparency but questioned why, despite such claims, decisions such as these were taking place.

Speaking on the reservation policy, Bukhari said the government had increased open merit by 10% while distributing 70% and 50% to others, which he said was not fair. He said reservation must be aligned with population data and not arbitrarily increased.

He said that the Apni Party was not against reservation but said that if a community has 5% population, giving it 10% reservation was not justified. He said the government must announce a cut-off date and issue an apology for past decisions which, according to him, created confusion and fear.

Bukhari added that the narrative of “lion and goat” profiling must end and said the government cannot impose fear on every doctor or aspirant.

While speaking on the November 10 incident in which a doctor turned suicide bomber, Bukhari said that one case should not lead to profiling of all doctors. He said such incidents happen because the voices of the youth are not being heard and added that Delhi must examine whether its policies are pushing even educated young people in the wrong direction.

On being asked about the demolition of a journalist’s house in Jammu, Bukhari said that if another local resident had not provided land, people would have assumed that only houses of Muslims were being demolished. He said the state government claimed it had no information about the demolition.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Bukhari said he personally did not believe that LG Manoj Sinha ordered the action, stating that the LG was himself giving five marlas of land to the poor.

Bukhari said that someone connected with the BJP “must have done this in Jammu” and added that there were likely links inside the administration.

On being asked about the role of the concerned minister, Bukhari said the matter had been pending for 15 days without any response. He said the chairman of the board had informed him about the issue and that he considered the chairman an upright person. Bukhari said he advised him to call a board meeting and seek an explanation from the vice-chairman.

Speaking on political outreach, Bukhari said the Apni Party had increased its reach post-election and was meeting senior party workers in different constituencies to spread its agenda.

Explaining his party's agenda, Bukhari said there must be a dialogue between Delhi and Kashmir and also between the youth and the common people. He said reducing distances with Delhi would lead to restoration of statehood, resolution of dignity-related issues of youth, and even the release of those in jail.

Speaking on RBA and EWS categories, Bukhari said that people from RBA areas have limited resources and that earlier, poor students from these areas would benefit. He said the new system would allow city-based applicants to dominate these seats, which he felt was not in accordance with the spirit of reservation.

Responding to arguments that Parliament had already passed certain laws, Bukhari said Parliament acted because there was no legislature at that time. He said now that a Legislature is in place, the government has full authority to revise policies, including reservation rules.

Speaking on past measures, Bukhari said his party had extended safeguards related to age, jobs, and land by increasing the limit from 35 to 50 years, which he said protected the rights of local youth. He questioned why the government was waiting for statehood to implement things that could be done immediately.

Bukhari also commented on political calculations in Jammu, saying that the BJP already had 29 seats and might gain one more, but the majority population should not be “choked” or sidelined for such political gains.(KNS)