‘Issue not ignored’: Omar Abdullah responds to Ruhullah Mehdi’s protest call over reservation policy

Srinagar, Dec 22: Responding to the statement of JKNC senior leader and Member Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi’s of joining a peaceful protest tomorrow to demand ‘rationality in the reservation policy’, the chief minister Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said the issue has not been ignored or swept under the carpet.

He said the government is doing what any responsible government would do, making sure everyone is heard and fair decision arrived after completing due process.

The chief minister said peaceful protest is a democratic right, and he would be the last person to deny anyone this right.

Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), the chief minister Omar Abdullah said: “I understand the emotions surrounding the reservation issue. JKNC had committed to examining all aspects of it in our manifesto released before the assembly elections. It is as a continuation of this commitment that a cabinet sub-committee was constituted to move towards fulfilling this promise. That sub-committee was only recently notified & is in the process of starting its work by engaging with all stakeholders. In the meantime the reservation policy has also been challenged in the Hon’ble High Court of JK&L. We will, of course, be bound by any judgement when the final legal options have been exhausted”.

“It has come to my attention that a protest is being planned in Srinagar to highlight the sense of injustice surrounding the reservation policy. Peaceful protest is a democratic right & I would be the last person to deny anyone that right but please protest knowing that the issue has not been ignored or swept under the carpet. Your government is doing what any responsible government would do - making sure everyone is heard & a fair decision arrived at after completing due process,” he added on X.

Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, Ruhullah Mehdi, on Sunday said that he will join a peaceful protest tomorrow outside the Chief Minister’s residence to demand ‘rationality in the reservation policy’.

“Today marks the date I had committed to stand with those whose voices demand rationality in the reservation policy. In my response to a post on X (Twitter) by a concerned citizen, I urged everyone to wait until 22nd December to give the elected government time to address this issue. I also said that if the matter was not resolved by then, I would join you in protest outside the HCM’s residence or office. 22nd December ends tonight,” said Mehdi, in a post on X.

“Over the past month, I’ve observed a range of reactions to the formation of the sub-committee. To those who believe that the issue remains unaddressed in a satisfactory manner: I stand by my commitment. Tomorrow, I will join the people in a peaceful and dignified attempt to demand answers on their issues from the government,” said Mehdi.

The senior NC leader requested all those voluntarily coming to maintain civility and focus on raising genuine demands for a rational reservation policy. “To those who seek to exploit this issue for political gains: I welcome you to step out tomorrow and step away from rhetoric. Show your sincerity where it matters—the streets. 2:00 PM | Gupkar Road | Outside the Chief Minister’s Residential Office,” he added.