Withdraw Discriminatory Order on Marriage Assistance Based on Education: Hakeem Yaseen Urges J&K Govt

Srinagar, May 3: President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (J&K PDF) and former minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen on Saturday urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to immediately revoke what he described as a discriminatory and objectionable order that makes only 8th class pass-out females eligible for marriage assistance under the relevant welfare scheme.

In a strongly worded statement issued today, Hakeem Yaseen said that marriage is a basic human right, equally applicable to both literate and illiterate individuals. He questioned the rationale behind linking a welfare scheme like marriage assistance to educational qualification and termed the government directive as regressive and unjust.

Hakeem said the move reflects a betrayal of earlier commitments made by the government to support the economically weaker sections of society, regardless of their educational status. He warned that the order, if not withdrawn, could create unnecessary divisions within society, both vertically and horizontally, further marginalizing already vulnerable groups.

Calling the order a violation of basic human rights, the former minister appealed to the government to withdraw it immediately, without dragging the issue into prolonged debate or procedural delays. He emphasized that assistance for marriage should be provided on the basis of need and not on academic credentials.

The PDF president expressed hope that the administration would take immediate cognizance of public sentiment and rollback the controversial condition in the larger interest of social justice and equality.