: Immediate Resolution of Student Grievances and Rollback of Discriminatory ‘One Child Policy’.

Jammu / News Udaan / In a significant development for student welfare and rights advocacy, a delegation of the Pahari Tribe ST Forum, under the leadership of Advocate Syed Waqar , conducted a crucial visit to the Pahari Hostel, Jammu. The delegation comprised active members of the forum, including Tokeer Malik, Toseef Malik, Sayaf Qureshi, and several other concerned youth leaders from the Pahari community. The primary objective of the visit was to assess the on-ground situation and address the grievances being faced by the students residing in the hostel. During the visit, the delegation held a comprehensive and focused discussion with the hostel administration. The students raised multiple concerns, ranging from inadequate basic facilities, cleanliness issues, lack of proper maintenance, administrative delays, to insufficient grievance redressal mechanisms. In a constructive and solution-oriented approach, many of the problems were resolved on the spot with the cooperation of the concerned officials, showcasing a positive response from the authorities. One of the most critical issues addressed during the visit was the recently enforced “One Child Policy”, which barred more than one sibling from the same family from availing hostel accommodation. This policy was widely condemned by the student community for being arbitrary, discriminatory, and unjust, particularly for Pahari families who have multiple children pursuing higher education simultaneously.   After detailed deliberation and persistent representation by the delegation, the hostel authorities agreed to withdraw the One Child Policy with immediate effect, a move that was met with overwhelming support and relief from the students. The delegation also interacted individually with several students, attentively listening to their minor grievances and unresolved issues, and assured them of continued follow-up with the concerned departments to ensure lasting solutions. The students expressed heartfelt gratitude to Advocate Syed Waqar and the Pahari Tribe ST Forum team for their proactive efforts and unwavering support. They also acknowledged the hostel authorities for showing readiness to engage in dialogue and act in the interest of student welfare. This development is a testament to the power of constructive leadership, student unity, and collaborative engagement between community representatives and the administration. It sets a strong precedent for how grievances, when voiced collectively and responsibly, can lead to meaningful policy reversals and better conditions. The Pahari Tribe ST Forum delegation reaffirmed its firm commitment to standing with Pahari students and working tirelessly to ensure that their educational, residential, and social rights are upheld with dignity, fairness, and without any form of discrimination. Report....Anil bhardwaj