x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   Forces thwart Pak’s Hamas-style attack on Jammu | In Pak terrorists are given state funerals: Foreign Secretary | Terror nexus exposed: Al-Qaeda backs Pak | Jammu mosques, madrassas open for displaced border residents | Amid cross border shelling, CM Omar reviews situation in border districts | Breeding Ground for fidayeen, links to Hamas, stockpiled NATO arms | PM meets secretaries, stresses on alertness | Masood Azhar’s brother killed: BJP | LG Sinha chairs high-level meeting, reviews preparedness | Army uses Harpy drones to target enemy air defence systems | Pak attempts to attack 15 places in North, Western India foiled | 100 terrorists, aides killed in strikes: Rajnath at All-Party Meeting | SDRF conducts Mock Drill Exercise at IIT Jammu | Developed India strikes back at provocateurs by entering their hideouts: CM Yogi | Cash Row: CJI recommends impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma, says sources | Amit terms AI as biggest disruptive tech of 21st Century in MZU National Workshop | Salman Sagar appointed as vice provincial president of JKNC | SET exam in J&K, Ladakh UTs postponed | ASCOMS & Hospital to provide free treatment to border shelling victims | Rs 300 crore BrahMos Missile Unit set to be inaugurated in Lucknow on May 11 | Any military attack on India will be met with very firm response: EAM Jaishankar | Vivek Bali Expresses Deep Grief Over Loss of Lives in Poonch Due to Pakistan Shelling | Reasi police foil illegal transportation of Khair logs in Katra area | 84 Bn CRPF Provides Relief to Flood-Affected Families | DC Jammu Reviews Zonal Master Plan for Ramnagar Eco-Sensitive Zone | Horticulture Department Kathua organises exposure visit | DC conducts on site inspection of restoration works on NH-44 | Power shut down in several areas | GMC Doda organises Blood Donation Camp | HPS participates in annual “Save Water, Save Birds” campaign | World Red Cross Day observed at Udhampur | Reasi Administration celebrates World Red Cross Day | ACR reviews implementation of E-Waste Management Action Plan | Poonch Administration steps up restoration of Essential Services, Supplies | Arushi Kotwal of Doda Honoured by Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya | Mini-Super Bazar M-PACS Maitra inaugurated in Ramban | DC Reasi felicitates JK Board Class 10th 12th Toppers | Back Issues  
 
news details
Strike Balance
9/13/2023 10:45:05 PM
The upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Jammu and Kashmir have the potential to change the political landscape of the region.
As the race for the Mayor of the Srinagar and Jammu Municipal Corporations heats up, it is impossible to ignore the crucial issue of seat reservations for candidates from specific categories.
Reserved seats in local elections are a well-intentioned policy aimed at ensuring that historically marginalized communities have a voice in governance. These reserved categories, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women, have faced systemic discrimination and social inequalities for generations.
Reservations provide them with a platform to participate in the democratic process and have a say in local governance.
However, the issue at hand pertains to the potential consequences of seat reservations in the context of the race for Mayor of Srinagar and Jammu.
While these reservations undoubtedly empower marginalized groups, they also pose challenges for politicians who may have invested significant time and effort in building their political careers and garnering public support.
In the upcoming elections, the reservation of seats for women and other marginalized communities, according to the media reports may impact the aspirations of at least three politicians from Kashmir hoping to become the Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
While seat reservations undoubtedly advance the cause of social justice and inclusivity, they must be implemented thoughtfully. Reserving seats should not inadvertently penalize politicians who have worked towards a better future for their constituents.
Moreover, it should not lead to tokenism, where individuals from reserved categories are elected merely to meet a quota without genuine support or capability to govern.
The solution lies in striking a balance between reservation and meritocracy. While reserved seats should continue to provide opportunities for marginalized communities to participate in governance, politicians from all backgrounds should be given an equal chance to compete on a level playing field. This means that reserved seats should not be synonymous with guaranteed victories; rather, they should encourage diverse candidates to engage in competitive elections.
Political parties, civil society organizations, and election authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have a critical role to play in this regard. They should actively promote the participation of individuals from reserved categories in the electoral process while also encouraging them to build strong political platforms and garner public support.
The issue of seat reservations in the upcoming Urban Local Body elections in J&K demands careful consideration. While reservations are a vital tool for promoting social justice and inclusivity, they should not inadvertently hinder the dreams of aspiring politicians. Striking the right balance between these objectives is essential to ensure that all voices are heard, and the best leaders are chosen to guide the future of urban areas in the region.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU