Waheed Para, MLA from Pulwama, has called out what he terms “glaring hypocrisy” in the application of minority status in Jammu Kashmir.
Para, in a detailed critique on social media, referred to the recent notification by the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), which allots MD/MS seats under the “Hindu Minority Quota” in ASCOMS-Jammu.
The BOPEE notification (No. 173-BOPEE of 2024) reserves 13 seats for the Hindu Minority Quota and 5 for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) candidates in postgraduate medical programs.
Para argued that while provisions are made for specific minority groups in Jammu, the same principle of regional demographics is ignored when it comes to Muslims in Kashmir, who face significant restrictions in college admissions and government jobs despite being a local majority.
He stated, “Muslims are classified as a national minority for scholarships but penalized as a local majority in Kashmir for admissions and jobs. The open merit quota here is slashed to just 40%, shutting out the majority community from opportunities already denied at the national level.”
Para also questioned the inconsistency in applying minority safeguards across India. He pointed out that in some states, Hindus are considered minorities and provided benefits, yet the same logic is not extended to Muslims nationwide.
Highlighting the broader implications of these policies, Para said, “The abrogation of Article 370 was supposed to bring equality to Kashmiris, but it has instead institutionalized exclusion and double standards.”
The notification by BOPEE and Para’s statements have reignited debates about the fairness of the minority status framework in Jammu ,Kashmir, with calls for a more consistent and inclusive approach to addressing regional and national disparities.