Srinagar, March 20 -- The figures tabled in the Assembly showed all Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries from Jammu, and not a single recipient from Kashmir. Similarly, 85.3% of those benefiting under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category are from Jammu, and only 14.7% from the Valley. Ditto for Economic Weaker Section (EWS) category: 92.3% of the beneficiaries are from Jammu and a mere 7.7% are from Kashmir. Jammu-based candidates also dominate across other categories, such as the Actual Line of Control (ALC) and International Border (IB).

This certainly is shocking especially considering that Kashmir comprises around 55% of J&K's population, as per the 2011 census. True, reservation policies are designed to uplift those in need, regardless o...