Srinagar, Dec 23: In a significant development, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met a delegation of students protesting against the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, assuring them that a cabinet subcommittee tasked with reviewing the policy would submit its findings within six months. The assurance came after a series of peaceful protests led by students and supported by political leaders, including National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
The students have been raising concerns over the current reservation framework introduced after the abrogation of Article 370. Under the revised system, 70% of seats are reserved for various communities, including newly granted reservations for Pahari-speaking people, leaving only 30% for open merit candidates. This policy, they argue, undermines meritocracy, particularly in competitive fields such as medicine and surgery.
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, a firebrand NC leader, led a peaceful demonstration outside Omar Abdullah’s residence, voicing his support for the students’ demand for “rationalisation” of reservations. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, a student leader shared details of the discussion. “The chief minister assured us that the sub-committee’s review process is now time-bound and will be completed within six months,” the leader said.
The movement has garnered widespread support across political lines. Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, along with opposition PDP leaders Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti, extended solidarity with the students. Para, in a post on X, lauded Mehdi’s leadership, emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable reservation policies.
“This is a pivotal moment to address pressing grievances. Our demand for proportional representation seeks to ensure opportunities reflect the socio-economic realities of communities without compromising merit,” Para stated.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, also called for “rationalisation” of reservations. In his statement, the Mirwaiz stressed the importance of safeguarding the interests of all societal segments. “The current policy undermines the General/open merit category. This imbalance must be addressed urgently,” he posted on X, pledging his delegation’s support for the students.
Asked about the outcome of the meeting, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi expressed cautious optimism. “If the students are satisfied, so am I. The key takeaway is that the review process is no longer open-ended but bound by a six-month timeline,” he said. Mehdi, however, refrained from calling the movement a protest, instead describing it as “an assembly of people to discuss and deliberate on the reservation policy.”
The protests have reignited a broader debate on the balance between affirmative action and meritocracy in Jammu and Kashmir. While proponents of the current policy argue it addresses historical inequalities, critics highlight the risks of marginalizing open merit candidates.
Waheed Para articulated this balance, stating, “Reservations must act as targeted exceptions to bridge inequalities, not as tools for perpetual imbalance. Merit should remain the foundation of our systems.”
In response to the mounting pressure, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that his government would abide by court directions and ensure that the sub-committee delivers actionable recommendations.
While the assurances have provided a semblance of hope, students and political leaders alike stress the importance of tangible action within the promised timeframe. As protests continue, the demand for a fair and inclusive reservation policy remains a pressing issue in Jammu and Kashmir’s political discourse.
The evolving situation reflects a critical juncture in the region’s efforts to balance historical affirmative action with the principles of merit and equity, ensuring that opportunities are distributed justly across all societal segments.