SRINAGAR, Dec 28: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday defended the decision to place several political leaders under house arrest in connection with protests over the reservation policy, asserting that attempts to create unrest and destabilisation would not be permitted.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Pahalgam in south Kashmir, Abdullah said the restrictions were imposed to prevent any disturbance to the prevailing peace and developmental momentum in Jammu and Kashmir. He remarked that some leaders appeared dissatisfied with the progress being made in the Union Territory and were attempting to foment unrest under the guise of protest.
“You should ask those leaders what exactly they wanted to do. We are doing everything possible within our capacity. Perhaps they do not like that Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward. They want turmoil, and that is something we will not allow,” Abdullah said.
Earlier in the day, authorities placed several political leaders under house arrest, including National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para, former Srinagar mayor Junaid Mattoo, and PDP leader Iltija Mufti. The preventive action was taken to stop them from participating in a proposed protest against the existing reservation policy.
The leaders had expressed solidarity with students who planned to hold a peaceful sit-in at Gupkar Road to protest the delay in rationalising the reservation and quota policy. The issue has remained unresolved despite the formation of a committee last year by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to examine the matter.
Reacting to the house arrests, Waheed Para termed the move unfortunate, saying it prevented elected representatives from expressing solidarity with students raising genuine concerns. He said the restrictions undermined democratic engagement and peaceful expression.
Meanwhile, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, in a post on social media platform X late Saturday night, claimed that armed police personnel had been deployed outside his residence. Questioning the move, he wrote, “Is this a pre-emptive crackdown to silence a peaceful, pro-student demonstration?”
The developments have triggered a fresh political debate in the Valley over the balance between maintaining public order and allowing democratic protest, particularly on issues related to education and youth welfare.
Commenting on the political situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, Abdullah expressed hope that peaceful elections would be held there, leading to the formation of a stable government. He said India wished for continued friendly relations with its neighbour and hoped the new leadership would pursue cooperation and mutual understanding.