Sajad Lone, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (PC) President and MLA from Handwara, highlighted the growing marginalization of Kashmiri-speaking residents due to a deeply inequitable reservation system. Lone presented a data-driven argument showing the systematic decline in the representation of KashmirI speakers in prestigious positions. The current reservation framework is creating a form of \”social disempowerment\” for the community, he said. According to his data, Kashmiri representation in KAS selections has declined sharply over recent years — constituting only 19 per cent of successful candidates in 2023, down from 25 per cent in 2022 and 17% in 2021. Lone proposed a comprehensive strategy to address what he termed a systematic injustice, calling for region-wise rationalization of reservation quotas. He expressed hope that the newly elected government would address the concerns of the Kashmirian-speaking ethnic group based on merit, calling the issue \”generational\” in its importance. He extended this concern to medical education, asking whether Kashmir’s current top doctors would have even secured admission to Government Medical Colleges under the present system. \”I must ask you to put a hand on your heart and tell us — if you return here in 20 years, how many KAS officers will be Kashmiri speaking in this secretariat?\” he questioned.