Congress MPs will participate in the protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence on the issue of reservation

File photo of J&K National Conference MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi. | Photo credit: Imran Nisar

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MP Syed Agha Ruhullah on Sunday (December 22, 2024) announced that he would join a sit-in outside his party’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence against the prevailing reservation scheme that openly discriminates. Merit category students in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Srinagar MP Mr Ruhullah requested all protesters to “maintain civility and focus on raising genuine demands for a rational reservation policy”. “To those who are trying to exploit this issue for political gain: I welcome you to come out tomorrow and move away from rhetoric. Show your sincerity where it matters – the streets,” Mr Ruhullah told opposition parties, mainly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the J&K People’s Conference. (JKPC) in oblique reference.

The Congress leader has said that if the problem is not resolved by Sunday (December 22), he will participate in the protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence. “For the past one month, I have seen mixed reactions to the formation of the sub-committee (by the government). To those who believe this issue has not been satisfactorily addressed: I stand by my commitment. Tomorrow, I will join the people in their peaceful and dignified efforts to demand from the government answers to their problems,” Mr Ruhullah said.

Student organizations of the open merit category have supported Mr. Ruhullah’s call for protest. A spokesman for the J&K Students’ Union, which has extended its “full support” to the protest, praised the NC leader for his “principled stand” and decision to “stand with the people by addressing their concerns in a peaceful and respectful manner”. . “We strongly support the call to rationalize the unjust reservation policy, which is vital to ensure social justice and equal opportunities for all. We stand in solidarity with all those who have raised genuine concerns on this important issue,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah decided to cancel his upcoming Jammu program due to the bone-chilling cold wave gripping Kashmir Valley. He has assured the affected students and candidates that they will look into the issue of reservation.

“It has come to my attention that a protest has been planned in Srinagar to highlight the sense of injustice surrounding the reservation policy. Peaceful protest is a democratic right and I will be the last person to deny that right to anyone but please ensure that this issue is not ignored or swept under the carpet. “Resist knowing. Your government is doing what any responsible government would do – ensuring that everyone is heard and that a fair decision is reached after due process,” Mr Abdullah said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said he understood the sentiments surrounding the reservation issue. In its manifesto released before the assembly elections, JKNC had promised to examine all its aspects. Continuing this commitment, a cabinet sub-committee has been formed to fulfill this commitment. That sub-committee was recently notified and is in the process of starting its work by engaging with all stakeholders,” said Mr. Abdullah.

He pointed out that the reservation policy was also challenged in the High Courts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. “We will of course be bound by any decision after the last legal options have been exhausted,” he added.

The Centre’s decision to add the communities to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, and the Pahari community to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list under the new quota, has narrowed the open eligibility category in Jammu and Kashmir to around 40%.

Open Merit Category Students The Supreme Court’s 1992 order ensures that reservation cannot exceed 50%, and anything above this violates the equal access guaranteed by the Constitution.