Gujjar body lodges police complaint against Srinagar ex-mayor over 'hate remarks' on reservation

The debate over rationalisation of reservation in Jammu and Kashmir took a sharp turn after several organisations representing the nomadic Gujjar community lodged strong protests against former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu for his alleged “hate remarks” targeting reserved category communities.

The Gujjar Bakerwal Students Alliance, an organisation representing students from the nomadic community, filed a police complaint against Mattu at Rajouri police station, accusing him of “hate speech and incitement against reserved category communities.”

In the complaint, the alliance president Advocate Sakib Choudhary alleged that Mattu had made “serious and repeated instances of hate speech, caste-based remarks, and online harassment” through his social media posts and public statements.

“His recent activities and statements on social media platforms, in media interactions, and at public forums are deeply derogatory and discriminatory towards members of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities,” the complaint read.

The complainant further alleged that Mattu had launched an online campaign advocating the elimination of the reservation system and, in doing so, targeted individuals belonging to the ST category. “He has publicly shared personal details of certain individuals, including a doctor, on social media, which amounts to harassment, intimidation, and criminal threat,” the complaint added.

The alliance has also compiled a series of Mattu’s posts on X since last year as evidence and has sought registration of an FIR against him under Section 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), Section 353 (statements conducing to public mischief), and Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the BNS.

Meanwhile, the Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT), a prominent organisation of nomads based in Jammu, also condemned Mattu’s remarks, describing them as “irresponsible, divisive, and unbecoming of a public representative.”

“Such statements reflect a regressive mindset and are detrimental to the spirit of communal harmony, peace and inclusiveness that Jammu and Kashmir has always cherished,” the trust stated.

In a separate statement, Mohammad Sadiq Azad, general secretary of GDCT, said: “Such hate-laden and communal remarks are deeply unfortunate and unworthy of any public figure. The Gujjar community, known for its patriotism, honesty, and service to the nation, deserves respect, not ridicule. We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor and concerned authorities to take cognizance of this matter and ensure that such divisive tendencies are curbed in the interest of peace and harmony.”

Mattu, who has been consistently critical of the reservation policy on his social media accounts for over a year, recently reiterated his stance in a post on X.

“My stand on reservations is absolutely clear and unwavering. There is no room for reservations and discrimination at the cost of merit in today’s day and age. Communities and areas that have been at a traditional geographical and social disadvantage must be uplifted through scholarships, infrastructure development, and affirmative action that doesn’t murder merit and hard work,” he wrote.

He further stated, “If that is not racial apartheid against the general category, what is? Reservations have to go — if not today, then tomorrow. And as long as it takes, I stand firmly opposed to the system of reservations in its entirety.”