National Conference MP Protests Against Reservation Policy Outside J&K Chief Minister's Residence
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Srinagar, Dec 23 (NationPress) Ruling National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi conducted a protest against the reservation policy established by the Jammu and Kashmir government, right outside the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar city.
Mehdi spearheaded a march of youth who were chanting slogans demanding, ‘We want justice for open merit candidates’. The police did not intervene and permitted the protesters to proceed peacefully to Gupkar Road, where Abdullah resides.
The demonstrators carried placards advocating for justice for open merit candidates in the selection processes for government positions.
The NC administration, under Omar Abdullah, has established a three-member cabinet sub-committee tasked with assessing and providing recommendations on the government’s reservation policy.
Protesters highlighted that a significant number of positions are earmarked for various categories, leaving open merit candidates to vie for just 40 percent of available vacancies across departments.
Mehdi has been vocal in his demands that a larger share of government jobs should be accessible to open merit candidates, akin to practices in other Union Territories and states throughout the country.
Senior separatist socio-religious figure Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed his willingness to participate in the protests against the current reservation policy if permitted by the authorities.
“I fervently urge that their concerns be addressed promptly. I support #openmeritstudents as they stage protests. I would join them if allowed. My delegation will be present to lend support and I will also raise this issue at #JamaMasjid whenever permissible,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated on X.
Additionally, Peoples Democratic Party (MLA) Waheed ur Rehman Para also joined the anti-reservation demonstration.
Meanwhile, the Awami Itihad Party (AIP), led by jailed Lok Sabha member Engineer Rashid, declared its backing for the anti-reservation protests led by Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
AIP chief spokesman Inam Un Nabi remarked on X, “As directed by our incarcerated MP Baramulla Er Rasheed Sb, AIP proudly announces its participation in the protest led by MP Srinagar Aga Ruhulla, calling for a rationalization of the reservation policy. Er Rasheed Sb has consistently supported genuine public issues, and we remain committed to this cause.”
It is essential to note that the existing reservation policy was implemented after the administration led by the Lt Governor announced reservations for multiple categories, including Paharis and other OBCs.
In March 2024, the Jammu & Kashmir Lt. Governor sanctioned a 10 percent reservation for newly recognized tribes, including Paharis, within the Schedule Tribe (ST) category, and added 15 new castes to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
