ITANAGAR : Information and Public Relations Minister Nyato Dukam on Sunday unconditionally withdrew his controversial remarks on the state’s 80:20 job reservation policy following a 12-hour ultimatum issued by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), which had termed his earlier comments “immature and irresponsible.”
Dukam, who also chairs the state government committee constituted to examine the demand for abolition of the existing reservation ratio, said his statement was made in good faith out of concern for protecting the constitutional safeguards available to the state’s youth.
“The statement was given in good faith. If my comments have hurt anyone, I unconditionally withdraw them,” Dukam told reporters, adding that he remains committed to the welfare of the state.
Seeking to defuse the controversy, the Minister said the committee is examining all legal, constitutional and social aspects of the issue before submitting its recommendations. He also announced that a team would soon visit Nagaland to study reservation models adopted there before finalising the committee’s report within the stipulated timeframe.
The controversy erupted after Dukam recently cautioned that completely abolishing the 20 per cent reservation for non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (non-APST) candidates could invite legal challenges, potentially putting the state’s existing reservation framework at risk if struck down by the courts.
Earlier on Saturday, AAPSU criticised the remarks as “immature and irresponsible” and demanded that Dukam clarify his stand and apologise within 12 hours.
The union maintained that such comments were unbecoming of the chairman of a committee entrusted with reviewing the policy and argued that they created unnecessary fear and confusion over an issue of vital importance to the indigenous people of the state. It said the committee chairman was expected to remain neutral and refrain from expressing personal opinions before completing consultations with stakeholders.
Rejecting Dukam’s apprehension, AAPSU asserted that Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution empower state governments to make special provisions for Scheduled Tribes, including reservation in public employment. It argued that Arunachal Pradesh, with its predominantly tribal population, is well within its constitutional authority to review the existing reservation ratio.
AAPSU President Meje Taku said neighbouring Northeastern states have implemented similar reservation policies for decades without judicial interference and accused the Minister of creating unnecessary apprehension instead of providing legal clarity.
“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 had said.
Reiterating that abolition of the 80:20 reservation ratio remains its foremost and non-negotiable demand, AAPSU urged the state government to ensure that the review committee carries out its mandate with fairness, diligence and impartiality.
