It is really intriguing that the government has taken a lop-sided view while giving 15 percent relaxation to students appearing in J&K Board of School Education because summer zone students remained bereft of the favour while those belonging to Kashmir have been exclusively offered this ‘bounty’. Already the people of Jammu Province have this grudge that the dispensation in J&K often discriminate with this region and with such a ‘prejudice’ surfacing yet again, the controversy seems to be in offing as already the activists of ABVP have started the campaign demanding justice in the matter.
Reportedly, they have submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) seeking similar favour for the students of summer zone as assured to the winter zone students. The question which has raised eyebrows of many is the logic behind giving relaxation only to winter zone students when there was disruption in studies in both the zones, and if one compares the situation the loss of studies in summer zone was more than that of winter zone.
This issue has been raised vociferously by the ABVP leadership in Jammu as the activists of this student union have reportedly approached all district administrations in the province seeking a fair deal. In the memorandum, ABVP has highlighted the disruptions in the academic calendar due to Operation Sindoor, summer breaks, and floods, which have significantly impacted the students’ preparation.
It has emphasized that summer zone students have faced unprecedented challenges, including school closures and loss of instructional days, and therefore, deserve equal treatment and opportunities which the government has offered to their counterparts belonging to the winter zone.
It is matter of grave concern that 2025 was a difficult year for the students in Jammu Province, having most of its parts in the summer zone because the impact of military conflict with Pakistan was more here, the floods and landslides also hit the region badly and even now, the government has to extend the winter vacations due to harsh climatic conditions, making clear cut case for syllabus relaxation.
It is advisable that the government should consider the demand on merit as the aforesaid student union has given an ultimatum of intensifying the agitation in case of refusal. Even if the government is not willing to extend this favour to the students of summer zone, at least it should make public the logic or alibi behind this ‘discrimination’ because J&K is under democratic government and not a dictatorial one.
