Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader Waheed Para has once again aimed at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of siding with what he termed the “most anti-Kashmiri decision in decades” — the new reservation framework introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Para alleged that the recently approved reservation matrix is a political project aimed at diluting Kashmiri representation under the guise of administrative rationalization. “Kashmiris gave Omar Abdullah a historic mandate to defend their rights — yet he stands with the most anti-Kashmiri decision in decades,” Para wrote.
He described the government’s decision to alter the reservation policy as an act of political manipulation and said it directly undermines the core principles of regional balance and fair representation. “The new reservation matrix is a political project to dilute Kashmiri representation. We seek the immediate release of the sub-cabinet committee report,” he added.
Para further accused the National Conference (NC) leadership of compromising on the legacy of Sheikh Abdullah, claiming that the founding leader’s mission for Kashmiri empowerment was being undone by his own party’s current stance. “The very mission Sheikh Abdullah began for Kashmiri empowerment is now being reversed by his own party to defend an illegal, BJP-driven reservation policy,” Para alleged.
The PDP leader’s remarks come amid a growing political debate over the government’s decision to revise the Resident of Backward Area (RBA) quota, which has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties in Kashmir. While the ruling dispensation maintains that the move is meant to rationalise and modernise the reservation structure, critics argue that it will weaken the representation of marginalised and rural communities in Kashmir Valley. [KNT]
