National Conference (NC) leader and MP from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, led a protest on Monday against Jammu and Kashmir's revised reservation policy, implemented after the abrogation of Article 370, at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence. This marks the first time the ruling party has faced protest from one of its leaders.
The reservation rules have sparked controversy as they allocate more than 60 per cent of admissions and jobs to reserved categories.
The demonstration called for changes to ensure greater fairness. Dozens of students, including those from Government Medical College, Srinagar, joined the protest.
Students held placards reading "Save Merit," "Merit Builds Strong Foundation," and "Merit Matters Most," while raising calls for justice. Ruhullah urged the government to address concerns of the open merit category regarding the new rules.
On Sunday, Ruhullah posted on X, announcing his plan to stage a peaceful protest outside Abdullah’s residence and invited others to participate. He urged the participants to maintain during the protest.
Addressing the gathering at Gupkar Road, Ruhullah clarified, “We are not against reservations, but they shouldn’t jeopardise the interests of those in the open merit category,” he said. He also talked about changes that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed after the abrogation of Article 370. He said the rights of the people were snatched without consulting them.
PDP leaders Waheed Parra and Iltija Mufti also joined the protest. The protests have drawn support from leaders across the political spectrum. Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, and PDP leaders Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti expressed solidarity with the demonstrators.
“I wholeheartedly welcome Ruhullah’s decision to stand with the youth. This is a pivotal moment to address grievances and ensure our policies are inclusive, youth-friendly and just,” Parra posted on X.
He said while reservations should address inequality, merit must not be undermined. “Policies that reduce the majority to a minority are neither just nor sustainable,’’ he said.
Interestingly, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, also voiced support, calling for fairness in the reservation framework. “The current status of reservations undermines the interests of the open merit category. Safeguard all segments of society without disadvantaging any one group,” Mirwaiz stated.
He expressed willingness to join the protests if permitted by authorities and plans to address the issue during Friday sermons at Jama Masjid.
In the lead-up to the Assembly elections, the Centre’s provision of a 10 per cent reservation for Pahari-speaking people pushed overall reservations in Jammu and Kashmir beyond 50 per cent. This has raised concerns that the new rules favour reserved categories at the expense of open merit.
The protests highlight growing dissatisfaction with the reservation policy and call for a more balanced approach that ensures fairness while addressing social inequalities. The government’s response will be crucial in managing these concerns.