Shadow Correspondent
Jammu Sept 22:
Jammu Kashmir Reserved Categories Empowerment Alliance (JKRCEA), has postponed its Virat Rally for Constitutional Rights slated for Saturday, the 29th September due to the announcement of Panchayat and ULB elections in Jammu & Kashmir State. This was informed by Bodh Raj Bhagat,President, socio-religious wing of JKRCEA in a press conference held here today at Press Club, Jammu. While talking to the media persons, he also said that the virat rally was scheduled as a protest against the total silence of state govt. over the issue of restoration of reservation in promotion but due to announcement of Panchayat and ULB elections, JKRCEA has decided to postpone the same for time being. He, however, joined by the leaders of socio-religious, retired employees forum, students/unemployed youth and women wings of Jammu Kashmir Reserved Categories Empowerment Alliance (JKRCEA) have strongly criticized the Jammu & Kashmir State govt. for not implementing the Apex Court rulings given on 15th May & 6th June 2018 wherein, 03 judges bench has directed the Union of India to go ahead with reservation in promotions as it was earlier, to some negate judgments by different High courts and the Apex court benches.
The heads of various wings of JKRCEA have said that they unitedly stand for SC/ST/OBC communities of J&K whose population is approximately 35-40 lac and in one voice condemned the non-responsiveness of initially coalition govt. in defending its position on the issue of RESERVATION IN PROMOTION and now the SAC in spite of the fact that scores of delegations of reserved categories had met the then Governor as well as two advisors Mr. B.B.Vyas & Mr. Khurseed Ganani.
Sham Lal Bassan, President Dalit Chetna Manch while speaking on the occasion said that initially the state bureaucracy took stand that High court has struck down these provisions of reservation in promotions but now after clear directions from the Apex court and circular directions from DOPT, GOI, these bureaucrats are lingering on with the file and in spite of more than three months of the directions, the SAC has failed to act upon the direction of GOI which he said is very unfortunate. He further said that JKRCEA had decided to hold a virat rally on 29th September but due to the announcement of Panchayat and ULB elections in the State, this rally has been postponed for time being.
Prof. G.L. Thappa, President Retired Wing, while deliberating appealed the Honble Governor to directly intervene in this very sensitive issue, he being custodian of the constitution and matters of reservation are constitutional in nature. He said that after Supreme courts clear directives and DOPTs circular directions dated 15th June 2018, there is no room left for any delay or hanky panky.
If some bureaucrats for their personal gains are becoming stumbling block in the matter, they should be adequately dealt with, so that situation on ground does not worsen due to negative attitude of these bureaucrats, especially Law Secretary & Ex-GAD Secretary.
Prof Kali Dass (AIBCU) advised the government to act quickly on otherwise sensitive issue before the reserved category people constituting about 60% population become unrest and take some drastic steps that shall not be in the larger interest of anybody. He also demanded for implementation of Mandal Commissions report in J&K and enhance reservation for OBCs in J&K as per their population. Enhancement in income bar of issuance of OBC (OSC) certificate to 8 lacs was also demanded that was promised by CM many a times.
Dr.V.K.Shivgotra, President Guru Ravi Dass Society, Bahu Fort has strongly condemned the burning of copy of Indian Constitution by a group of people at Parliament Street and demanded strict action against such anti-national elements.
Abdul Majid Malik representing All India Backward Classes Union advised the government to act quickly on otherwise sensitive issue before the reserved category people constituting about 60% population become unrest and take some drastic steps that shall not be in the larger interest of the government of the day. They also demanded that Enforcement Board meeting on monitoring & implementation of reservation as per Reservation act should be convened immediately under the chairmanship of Chief Minister calling intellectuals from civil society to come out with exact data how much reservation has been implemented and what are the areas that require further attention of the government.
Nighat Shafeeq Student leader while lambasting upon the government said that a huge number of cases atrocities on SC/ST/OBCs, harassment of gujjar and bakerwal and violation of reservation rules in direct recruitments and promotions have seen in current regime which gives a clear message that the coalition govt. is anti-SC/ST/OBC. She advised the government to immediately take necessary steps to protect the constitutional rights of these communities so that they should not feel alienated any more.
In the end all the leaders present in the press conference strappingly condemned & criticized attitude of upper caste organizations and again threatened that if the issue is not solved within 15 days, the people of all reserved categories shall launch state wide protest.
Among others, M.R.Bangotra, Mohinder Bhagat, B.R.Banalia, Er. Pawan Bhagat, T.C.Bavoria, R.L.Dogra, Raj Kumar Bhagat, Sat Paul, Manohar Lal, Nighat Shafeeq, Soma Devi, Bihari lal Bhagat, Puran Atri, Tara Chand Samyal, Bharat Hans, Narinder Dutt Bhagat, Bhadur Lal, Natha Ram Angral (Rtd CE), Sachin Bhagat, Bishan Dass, Er. K.K.Darora, Er. R.C.Bhasin, Bahadur Lal, Muktiar Kalia, Sat Paul, F.C. Satia. Shashi Kumar and many others.
