NC leader, PDP unite in protest against new reservation policy

Srinagar MP and National Conference leader Ruhullah Mehdi led a protest in Srinagar on Monday, which saw the participation from leaders of the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP), against the new reservation policy introduced earlier this year under the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The UT administration had implemented a 10 per cent reservation for the Pahari community, increasing the total reserved seats for various categories to 60 per cent, leaving only 40 per cent of seats for candidates from the general category. This move has sparked months of protests from students who argue that the policy is detrimental to the future of open merit students.

On Monday, Mehdi spearheaded the protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar, which saw dozens of students and political leaders join in. In a display of political unity, PDP leaders Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti also participated, along with MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, the brother of jailed MP Engineer Rashid.

Protesting students said they wanted the Chief Minister to do justice with open merit students. “The students are suffering because of this decision as nothing is left for open merit students,” said a student. The students chanted slogans “we want justice” and save “open merit.”

Ruhullah said he would be a part of the struggle till it reached a “logical conclusion”. He, however, added that he was on the streets “for justice to merit”. The aim was not to divide the party, he clarified.

Later as the protests intensified, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah invited a group of students for a meeting. Omar wrote on X that he met representatives of the Open Merit Students Association. “The beauty of democracy is the right to be heard and dialogue in a spirit of mutual cooperation. I have made certain requests of them and given them a number of assurances. This channel of communication will remain open without any intermediaries or hangers-on,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Omar had quoted Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem ‘If’ that advises on navigating hypothetical challenges with wisdom. Following the meeting, the students shared that Abdullah had informed them that the sub-committee formed to review the reservation policy would need six months to reach a conclusion. “We met him for half an hour. CM ‘sahab’ said they will do immediately the actionable things which are in the domain of the government. We asked about the time frame for the sub-committee, he said at least give six months,” one of the students said after the meeting.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government had previously announced the formation of a three-member sub-panel to address the quota issue. Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the reservation issue should be addressed with fairness, ensuring that interests of all segments of society were protected. “Would be part of it if authorities allowed. My delegation will be there to support. Will also raise the issue in Jama Masjid whenever permitted to go,” he wrote on X.

Ruhullah Mehdi had earlier promised to protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence, giving the government a month to act. Abdullah ensured that all voices were being heard and a fair decision would be reached.