These seats have never been selectable prior to OLCI. Allowing people to pay a fee to select them seems fair.
I disagree that EK Sees themselves as LCC, free unlimited booze, decent food in Y and a Polaroid photo if you ask nicely (Polaroid photo paper isn't cheap!). The seat selection is unfortunate, but understandable on the lowest fares. The issue is that most fares are Savers these days so it affects a lot of pax.