Jammu

Two BJP legislators on Thursday staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanding the extension of reservation benefits under the Pahari quota to eligible community members, including Pakistani refugees settled in the plains.

BJP MLAs Narinder Singh Raina and Arvind Gupta exited the House after expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response on extending Scheduled Tribe-II (ST-II) reservation benefits to Pahari-speaking people residing in Jammu and other non-hilly areas.

Replying to a question raised by Raina, Social Welfare Minister Sakeena Itoo clarified that the ST-II reservation, which covers Pahari-speaking communities among others, is granted on the basis of ethnic identity rather than geographical location.

“The ST-I reservation for Gujjars and Bakerwals has been implemented uniformly across the Union Territory. Similarly, ST-II reservation is not region-specific but is extended on the basis of Pahari ethnicity to various groups,” Itoo said.

On being asked whether the government plans to extend ST-II benefits to Pahari communities living in Jammu to uphold constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination, the minister said the existing policy fully conforms to constitutional norms of fairness and equality.

The issue sparked sharp exchanges in the House, particularly between BJP members and National Conference MLA Aijaz Jan, who opposed extending reservation benefits to Pahari families living outside the hilly regions.

Later, speaking to reporters, Raina questioned the government’s position, arguing that if ST-I beneficiaries receive reservation benefits irrespective of their place of residence, the same yardstick should apply to Pahari-speaking people.

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He maintained that geography should not be used as a determining factor in extending reservation benefits to eligible communities.