Kalsotra Leads Powerful DOMA Gathering Demanding Caste Census, Reservation Restoration

• DOMA Announces New District Committee to Strengthen Social Justice Movement in J&K

Udhampur, August 10, 2025: The Udhampur unit of DOMA (Dalit, OBC, Minority, Adivasi) today organised a one-day conference titled “Save Constitution, Save Democracy, Save Rights” at Shiv Shakti Resort, Udhampur. R.K. Kalsotra, State President DOMA J&K, was the Chief Guest, while Amir-Ud-Din Kasana, Er. B.L. Bhardwaj, Ashu Peter Mattoo, Devi Ditta, Swami Raj Bhagat, and Roshan Choudhary attended as Guests of Honour.

The event saw the active participation of intellectuals, social activists, and representatives from Dalit, OBC, Minority, and Tribal communities. Speakers underlined that these communities, constituting nearly 85% of the population, must unite to counter communal, casteist, and fascist forces. The gathering resolved to strengthen a united civil society movement of Dalits, Muslims, backward classes, tribals, and Christians to safeguard constitutional values and protect fundamental rights.

Participants voiced deep concern over the monopolisation of national resources by a select few, which they said deprives the majority of equitable access to jobs, education, healthcare, and business opportunities. They condemned growing privatisation and capitalism for exacerbating social injustice, making essential services increasingly inaccessible to the poor.

In his keynote address, Kalsotra called for collective unity to protect the Constitution, democracy, and rights. He presented a charter of demands, including:

• • Conducting a Caste Census and an accurate OBC population survey.
  • Restoration of reservation in promotions and its extension to privatised sectors.
  • Reservation in the higher judiciary and in all government-funded projects.
  • Distribution of land to SC/ST/OBC communities and a ban on allotting land to outsiders.
  • Implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations (OBC quota 27%, SC 10%, ST 10–12%).
  • Strict enforcement of the SC/ST Atrocities Act, restoration of roster points and age relaxations.
  • Filling backlog vacancies, regularisation of Safai Karamcharis, and improvement of government schools.
  • Opening English-medium schools for children of Safai Karamcharis.
  • Restoration of the old pension scheme, MSP guarantee for farmers, and protection of tribal forest, water, and land rights.
  • Full implementation of the 2006 Forest Rights Act.

He urged all participants to join the Maha Rally in Delhi on November 30, 2025, at Ram Leela Ground, organised by the National DOMA team under the leadership of Dr. Udit Raj, to amplify the call to save the Constitution, democracy, and people’s rights.

Resolutions passed at the meeting included: restoring reservation in promotions, restoring J&K’s statehood, recognising Punjabi language, stopping interference in the Waqf Board, conducting a caste-based census, halting atrocities against SC, OBC, ST, and minorities, reviving the SC/ST/OBC advisory board, and ending privatisation and the sale of government assets.

A new DOMA District Udhampur Committee was unanimously formed under the chairmanship of Dina Nath (Retd CEO), with members including Phambi Ram (Retd ZEO), Kuldeep Kumar (Gaddi), Dr. Vijay Atri, Ram Dass (Retd AEO), Saif Ali (Champedi), Dr. Philip John, Dr. D.D. Dogra, Amar Nath, Darshan Kumar, Kuldeep Kumar Bhagat, Johan Wilson, Tulsi Dass, Kaku Ram, Ved Parkash Bhagat, Om Parkash, Suram Chand Atri, Girdhari Lal, Om Parkash Khokhar, Krishan Lal, Hem Raj Bhardwaj, Rattan Chand, Neelam Bhasin, Rohit Lal, Surinder Kumar, Mintu Kumari, and G.L. Bhagat, tasked with strengthening the social justice movement.

Prominent speakers — including Ashu Peter Mattoo, Amir-Ud-Din Kasana, Er. B.L. Bhardwaj, Kuldeep Kumar, Amar Nath, Govind Chalotra, Adv. Mohd. Shafi, Bachan Lal, Dr. Philip John, Devi Ditta, Sham Lal, Surinder Kumar, Kuldeep Bhagat, Swami Raj Bhagat, and Roshan Choudhary — stressed the need to defend the constitutional rights of SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities. They urged unity against anti-social elements attempting to disturb harmony among citizens who believe in constitutional values and abide by the rule of law.