MP Mehdi to join protest against own govt over reservation policy

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah finds himself in a tricky situation as Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament (MP) from his own National Conference (NC) party, announced plans to join the protest outside the CM’s residence in Srinagar on Monday, demanding changes to the reservation policy.

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The controversy began earlier this year when the J&K administration amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act to approve additional quotas for Paharis and other groups. This change increased reserved seats to 60%, while general category seats shrank to 40%. Critics argue that the policy undermines merit-based opportunities and disproportionately affects deserving candidates, leaving them sidelined.

After Mehdi announced his intention to hold a sit-in protest, Omar Abdullah issued a statement on X, emphasising the government’s commitment to reviewing all aspects of the reservation policy.

Ruhullah Mehdi, who was elected to Parliament as an NC candidate this year, had earlier stated that he would join protests if the government failed to revise the new reservation policy. In a statement on X on Sunday, Mehdi reiterated his position, saying, “Today marks the date I had committed to stand with those whose voices demand rationality in the reservation policy. In my response to a post on X by a concerned citizen, I urged everyone to wait until December 22 to give the elected government time to address this issue. I also said that if the matter was not resolved by then, I would join the protest outside the CM’s residence or office. December 22 ends tonight.”

In the evening, Omar Abdullah issued a statement, saying, “I understand the emotions surrounding the reservation issue. JKNC had committed to examining all aspects of it in our manifesto released before the Assembly elections. It is as a continuation of this commitment that a cabinet sub-committee was constituted to move towards fulfilling this promise. That sub-committee was only recently notified and is in the process of starting its work by engaging with all stakeholders. In the meantime, the reservation policy has also been challenged in the High Court of J&K.”

He added, “We will, of course, be bound by any judgment once the final legal options have been exhausted. It has come to my attention that a protest is being planned in Srinagar to highlight the sense of injustice surrounding the reservation policy. Peaceful protest is a democratic right, and I would be the last person to deny anyone that right. However, please protest knowing that the issue has not been ignored or swept under the carpet. Your government is doing what any responsible government would do—making sure everyone is heard and that a fair decision is reached after completing due process.”