Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the contradictory stance adopted by the government in an ongoing case related to the rationalisation of the reservation policy, which was listed for hearing before the Jammu & Kashmir High Court.
In a statement, JKSA said although the matter could not be taken up for hearing due to time constraints, the misleading narratives have emerged regarding the government’s legal submissions.
JKSA clarified that, contrary to certain claims in the public domain, the original affidavit filed by the government has neither been withdrawn nor revoked. Both the Advocate General and the Senior Additional Advocate General, representing the government in the court, have confirmed that they have received no instructions to retract or override the initial affidavit. Therefore, it remains fully valid and in force, JKSA pointed out.
Though an additional affidavit has been submitted by the government, but it is merely in continuation of the original affidavit; not a corrective or substitutive document, JKSA said, adding that the “only new detail mentioned in the additional affidavit is the formation of a sub-committee to study the matter and submit its report within six months. The relevant government order constituting the committee has also been annexed with this filing.
“It must be clearly understood that the new affidavit neither alters nor contradicts the content of the original affidavit. There is no course correction here,” JKSA pointed out.
It warned that any interpretation suggesting withdrawal of the earlier stance is factually incorrect. It urged all stakeholders, particularly those advocating for open merit and the unreserved category, not to accept the government’s narrative without scrutiny. “To do so would weaken the strength of our collective struggle,” JKSA stated.
“The government should not have filed an affidavit that blatantly contradicts its own stated position on reservations in the first place. If it was submitted in error, the ethical and appropriate step would have been to withdraw the original affidavit and issue a clear correction. Instead, the government has chosen silence and ambiguity,” JKSA said.
It expressed concern over the government’s “evasive approach and lack of transparency”.
“The government is trying to ride both horses; attempting to appease all sides without taking a clear stand. This is not just poor governance; it is a betrayal of public trust,” JKSA said while urging the government to take a clear and principled position and address the issue of reservations with the seriousness and responsibility it demands.
“The public deserves transparency, not spin. It is time for the government to stop misleading the people and uphold the sanctity of judicial proceedings,” the statement said.
The Association has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate action and withdraw the previous affidavit. “The government must be forthright and transparent. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a clear, unambiguous position on this crucial matter. We urge the Chief Minister to personally ensure that the earlier affidavit is withdrawn, and a definitive stand on the reservation policy is taken,” the statement added.
