Recent data highlighting the issuance of category certificates in Jammu and Kashmir has sparked a vital conversation about equity and access to opportunities. The numbers, covering the period from April 1, 2023, reveal a significant regional imbalance that warrants thoughtful attention. While the reservation system aims to uplift marginalized groups, its current application appears to leave one region trailing far behind, raising questions about how best to ensure fairness in government jobs, education, and related privileges.
The figures tell a compelling story: Jammu accounts for 100% of Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates, with Kashmir registering none. For Scheduled Tribes (ST), Jammu holds 85.3%, while Kashmir sits at 14.7%. In the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category, Jammu claims 92.3%, compared to Kashmir’s 7.7%. This trend continues across other categories like ALC, IB, and RBA, where Kashmir’s share remains consistently lower. Even in the Resident of Backward Area (RBA) category—where Kashmir’s slightly larger population might suggest a stronger presence—the region secures just 48.2% against Jammu’s 52.8%. These disparities suggest a system that, perhaps unintentionally, tilts heavily in one direction.
For Kashmir’s ST and EWS communities, the shortfall is particularly striking. ST certificate recipients from Kashmir make up only 15% of the total, a figure that feels out of step with the region’s needs and demographics. Such gaps risk undermining the core intent of reservations: to provide equitable opportunities for all, regardless of geography. The result is a growing concern that some communities may feel excluded from the benefits they are entitled to.
The establishment of a committee on December 10, 2024, to examine these issues is a welcome move, though its lack of a clear timeline—rumored to be six months—has left some seeking greater urgency. This is not a moment for delay but for constructive action. Kashmir’s residents, like their counterparts in Jammu, deserve a system that reflects their realities and aspirations.
This situation calls for a collaborative approach rather than division. A review of how certificates are allocated, perhaps with adjustments to account for regional nuances, could help restore balance without detracting from anyone’s rightful share. The goal should be a reservation policy that serves as a tool for inclusion, not an inadvertent source of disparity. Open dialogue and practical solutions can pave the way for a framework that truly represents the diversity and needs of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole. Now is the time to refine this system, ensuring it works for everyone it was designed to support.
