SRINAGAR: Following the recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, prominent social and student rights activist Er. Ehtisham Khan has expressed deep disappointment and alarm over the government’s decision to not formally table or discuss the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s report on reservation, despite the end of its six-month deadline.
“This is no longer just bureaucratic lethargy—it is strategic deception. The government had ample time, a full-fledged committee, and mass public support to do what was right. And now they’ve chosen to push the matter further by sending the report to the Law Department. This is nothing but a time-buying tactic,” Khan said in a statement issued here.
He said that according to credible reporting, the report was neither formally submitted nor deliberated upon in the cabinet meeting. Instead, it has now been sent to the Law Department for vetting, despite earlier claims that it was ready for review, he added.
“Why was the report not tabled if it was complete? What exactly needs legal vetting now after six months of ‘in-depth consultations’? This reeks of confusion, mismanagement, and betrayal of trust,” “What were they doing for six months? Is this the definition of a time-bound committee? Or was it always meant to stall the movement and frustrate the students?” Khan questioned
He further noted that while job advertisements under the disputed policy continue, the government has maintained a narrative of “review in process”—a contradiction that has led to increasing anger among aspirants.
“You can’t keep promising reform while continuing recruitment under the same flawed framework. This is not reform—it’s a farce,” Khan added.
Taking a dig at certain self-proclaimed leaders and associations, Khan said: “While the issue sinks into bureaucratic silence, some have used the struggle for personal branding—running from photo-op to press byte, aligning with political mentors who’ve delivered nothing but tokenism.”
He reiterated his demand for the government to immediately publish the original report, explain the so-called shortcomings, and lay out a clear, transparent roadmap—with timelines and accountability.
“We are not asking for favours; we are asking for fairness. If the government fails now, it proves that their promises were never more than political bait,” Khan concluded.