We want govt to act on its promises, says Iltija Mufti on reservation issue

Srinagar, Dec 23: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Monday said they want the government to act on its promises in rationalizing the reservation policy in Jammu & Kashmir.

She said that taking part in anti-reservation protest does not mean that PDP is against any section of the society rather there is a need to distribute the seats equitably according to proportion of the population.

Iltija hoped that chief minister Omar Abdullah will give time-bound assurance and will address the issue for the larger interest of student community.

“Hope CM Omar Abdullah will give time-bound assurance. We have been hearing promises from a long time but we want rationalization in reservation. We want government to act on its promises. We are not here to do any politics, but to express our solidarity with students and push for rationalization in reservation policy,” PDP’s Iltija Mufti told reporters on the sidelines of anti-reservation protest in Srinagar.

When asked whether she thinks that the government will take up this matter with seriousness, she said they would have to walk the talk. “The government has recently formed a sub-committee, but we have not seen any report till date. There is a need to address the issue in a time-bound manner,” she said.

On being asked the matter is sub-judice, Iltija said: “Should we sit at home if matter is sub-judice. We have to do what we can do for students. The Jammu & Kashmir’s unemployment rate has reached to 37 percent while recruitment exams are being scrapped”.

“We are here today for the students. This protest is by the students and for the students,” she held.

The PDP leader said whenever they realize there is a need to come together for resolution of other issues the opportunity will not be wasted. “Whenever we feel there is a need to come together on other issues, we will come definitely like we did today. We want to safeguard future of our younger generations, and protecting their future is not a minor issue,” she underlined.