J&K Reservation Row: NC Divided, Protests Blocked
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A planned protest in Srinagar demanding reservation policies has been thwarted by administrative action, simultaneously revealing a significant rift within the National Conference (NC). The protest, initially organized by Open Merit students, was cancelled after key organizers – NC’s Ruhullah Mehdi, PDP’s Waheed Parra, and Iltija Mufti – were placed under house arrest.
The situation highlights a disagreement between senior NC leaders. Farooq Abdullah has reportedly justified the planned protest, while a former minister in Omar Abdullah’s government publicly criticized a Member of Parliament within the NC for initiating the demonstration, even calling for their resignation. This public disagreement underscores a growing divide within the party regarding the approach to sensitive political issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
The administration’s swift action in restricting movement and detaining political figures signals a firm stance against any potential unrest related to reservation policies. Authorities have tightened security measures, effectively preventing the protest from taking place. The incident raises concerns about the space for political dissent and the handling of sensitive issues in the region.
