Confederation Warns of Gherao of LG and CM Residences if Demands Are Not Met
Jammu, 01 June 2025 – On the 55th Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath Ji, the All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations organised a “Save Rights Conference” at Prem Resort, Muthi, Jammu. The event commemorated the sacrifice of Bhagat Amar Nath Ji, who passed away on 1st June 1970 while on a fast unto death demanding justice and rights for the depressed classes, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Rich tributes were paid to the late Bhagat Amar Nath Ji, with participants offering floral homage and speakers shedding light on his life, struggle, and his Wasiatnama, which reflected his lifelong commitment to the upliftment of the marginalised.
Addressing the gathering, R.K. Kalsotra, State President of the Confederation, presented the agenda and updated the cadre on the gherao of the Assembly conducted on 24th March, during which a detailed charter of demands was submitted. These demands included the restoration of reservation in promotions, opposition to the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2005, and enhancement of reservation quotas—raising SC reservation from 8% to 10%, ST from 10% to 12%, and OBC from 8% to 27%. The Confederation also demanded rejection of the OBC Commission’s report on Urban Local Body reservations and removal of the “Rural/Village” tag from the Central OBC list. Other major demands included strict implementation of the SC/ST Atrocities Act, restoration of the SC roster point as per SRO-294, reinstatement of the five-year age relaxation for SC/ST candidates, filling of backlog vacancies for SC/ST/OBCs, and proper maintenance of reservation rosters.
The Confederation further called for the revival of government advisory boards for SC/ST/OBCs, restoration of land ownership rights for SC/ST/OBC communities, allocation of state land to landless members of these communities, and conduct of a caste census. Additional demands included the appointment of SC/OBC members to the Public Service Commission, timely disbursement of scholarships, regularisation of Safai Karamcharis, and the establishment of English-medium schools for the children of Safai Karamcharis.
During the conference, Sh. R.C. Uttama, Retired Special Secretary, UT Government, was unanimously nominated as the General Secretary of the Confederation through a voice vote. He shall also be one of the signatories for maintaining red account of the organisation.
In his closing remarks, Kalsotra mentioned that all the people who were present at the event warned that if the government fails to act on the Confederation’s demands, the cadre will be forced to intensify its agitation and proceed with gherao of the residences of the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister as a mark of protest.
Further, Kalsotra added that National Convention will be held at New Delhi on 15th June under the chairpersonship of Dr Udit Raj, National Chairperson DOMA. The major issues for the convention will be rising unemployment, rise in atrocities, privatisation in govt sector, lateral entries, unconstitutional amendments, among others. Kalsotra asked people to join in huge numbers to strengthen the movement.
Others who spoke at the event included Er BL Bhardwaj, R.C Uttama, Bansi Choudhary, Amir-ud-din Kasana, Jamil Kazmi, Narinder Singh Khalsa. Ashu Peter Mattoo, Dr Ramesh Kaith. Soba Ram, Roshan Ch, Roop Lal Bhagat, Darshan Mehra, Manoj Kumar, Mohan Pawar, Giani Kuldeep Singh, C R Bhagat, Kuldeep Chalotra, Balwant Kataria, Jagdish Kashyap and Harmanan Singh
