ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Saturday strongly criticised Commerce and Industries Minister Nyato Dukam over his recent remarks on the 80:20 reservation policy, terming them “immature and irresponsible”, and demanded that he clarify his statement and apologise to the union and the people of the state within 12 hours.
Dukam, who also chairs the state government committee constituted to examine the demand for abolition of the 80:20 reservation ratio, had recently said that scrapping the policy could face legal hurdles if challenged in court.
Referring to the growing demand to abolish the provision reserving 20 per cent of government jobs for non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (non-APST) candidates, he cautioned that a legal challenge could potentially result in the existing reservation framework itself being struck down.
Reacting sharply, AAPSU said the Minister’s statement was unbecoming of the Chairman of the committee and appeared to create fear and confusion over an issue of critical importance to the indigenous people of the state. It said Dukam, as Chairman, was expected to maintain neutrality, uphold the integrity of the consultative process and refrain from expressing personal opinions before engaging with all stakeholders.
The union further alleged that the remarks had demoralised those seeking a review of the existing policy and undermined the concerns of AAPSU, which it described as an organisation committed to protecting the rights and interests of the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh.
It also noted that the Minister’s statement coincided with AAPSU’s own press briefing on the issue, creating an impression of hostility and raising questions over the impartiality expected of the committee’s chairman.
Rejecting Dukam’s apprehension, AAPSU asserted that reservation in state government recruitment falls within the powers of the state under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution, which empower states to make special provisions for Scheduled Tribes. The union maintained that there is no legal impediment to revising the reservation ratio in view of Arunachal Pradesh’s predominantly tribal population.
AAPSU President Meje Taku said it was unfortunate that a Minister heading the committee had chosen to create apprehension instead of providing legal clarity and leadership. He claimed that neighbouring states have implemented similar reservation policies for years without judicial intervention and asserted that the state government is fully empowered to review the existing ratio.
“The abolition of the 80:20 ratio is a matter squarely within the powers of the state government, and no one should be allowed to create doubt about that for political convenience,” Taku said.
He added that the union would not allow “fear-mongering” to derail what it described as a legitimate and constitutionally valid demand of the indigenous people. In the interest of a fair and meaningful dialogue, he said, Dukam should clarify his remarks and apologise within 12 hours for causing confusion and hurting public sentiment.
AAPSU also urged the state government to ensure that the committee carries out its mandate with due diligence and seriousness, reiterating that abolition of the 80:20 reservation ratio remains its foremost and non-negotiable demand.
