Outsider recruitment sparks students outrage in IIOJK

Students under the banner of the Gujjar-Bakerwal Students Alliance (GBSA) has staged a protest Jammu University against inclusion of non-locals in recruitment processes meant for Kashmiri native Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC).

The protesting students said that the university is breaching Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)’s reservation policies.

Irfan Chowdhary, President of GBSA, termed the move unconstitutional, stating that “it discriminates against native tribal communities and directly attacks the reservation policy designed to protect their rights”.

Moreover, General Secretary Sakib Choudhary said such practices undermine local livelihoods and defeat the purpose of the reservation policies placed for the upliftment of the marginalized communities.

GBSA spokesperson said that being a state-funded institution, Jammu University is obligated to follow IIOJK’s reservation rules.

Similarly, student leaders Nazir Poswal and Haris Ali denounced the inclusion of non-locals in the recruitment process.

The protest witnessed significant participation, with students urging the university administration to take corrective measures and uphold the rights of tribal communities.