Protests Erupt Outside J&K CM Omar Abdullah’s Residence Over Reservation Policy

A wave of dissent swept across Jammu and Kashmir as political leaders and hundreds of students gathered outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence to protest the controversial reservation policy introduced earlier this year by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration.

Protest Led by Students and Political Leaders

National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi joined students outside CM Omar Abdullah’s residence on Gupkar Road, calling for a rational review of the reservation policy.

The protest also saw participation from opposition leaders, including PDP’s Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti, and Awami Itihad Party leader Sheikh Khurshi.

Even Omar Abdullah’s son stepped out to support the demonstrators, signaling internal differences within the National Conference.

Speaking to reporters, Iltija Mufti emphasized the need for equitable reservations, stating, “We hope the NC government fulfills their promises in a time-bound manner.”

Chief Minister Engages With Protesters

Amid rising tensions, Omar Abdullah invited the protesting students into his office for discussions.

The contentious policy introduced by the LG-led administration had reduced general category reservations and increased allocations for reserved categories in jobs and educational admissions.

Key amendments included:

• 10% reservation for Paharis and three other tribes under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, raising the total ST reservation to 20%.
• 8% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), with 15 additional castes added to the OBC list as recommended by the SEBC Commission.

Controversy Surrounding Policy Amendments

The reservation amendments, ratified by Parliament earlier this year, sparked widespread anger across political and student groups.

In March, the LG-led administration approved changes to the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules, 2005, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023.

MP Ruhullah Mehdi attributed the delay in addressing the policy to administrative confusion between the new Omar Abdullah-led government and the LG’s office.

“There is some confusion about the distribution of business rules between the elected government and the undemocratically imposed office,” he explained, adding that rationalizing the policy was a priority.

Formation of Review Panel

In response to growing pressure, the Jammu and Kashmir government formed a three-member panel on December 10 to reassess the reservation policy.

The panel includes Health Minister Sakina Itoo, Forest Minister Javed Ahmad Rana, and Science and Technology Minister Satish Sharma.

However, no timeline has been set for the panel to submit its findings. Simultaneously, the J&K High Court sought a government response within three weeks while clubbing petitions challenging the policy.

Omar Abdullah Defends His Approach

Addressing the protest, Omar Abdullah assured citizens that the policy was under review and that his government would abide by the High Court’s decision.

“Your government is doing what any responsible government would do—making sure everyone is heard and a fair decision is arrived at,” he said.

The chief minister reiterated his party’s commitment to its manifesto, noting that a cabinet sub-committee had been formed to engage with all stakeholders.

He encouraged peaceful protests, affirming, “I would be the last person to deny anyone that right.”

Widespread Discontent Among Communities

The reservation changes have significantly reduced the open merit share to approximately 40%, causing unrest among the two largest ethnic groups in the region—Kashmiris and Dogras.

Many argue that the policy disproportionately impacts the majority population and needs urgent rationalization.

Syed Aga Ruhullah, the NC MP leading the dissent, warned of further protests if the government fails to address the issue promptly.

“If the issue is not addressed before December 22, I will join the people in a peaceful and dignified attempt to demand answers,” he said.

Calls for Transparency

The Open Merit Students Association J&K, a group advocating for policy reversal, criticized the government’s response as insufficient.

They demanded transparency and immediate action to address their grievances, stating that the current explanation “feels like an excuse to avoid accountability.”

Abdullah reiterated his commitment to finding a fair resolution through dialogue and due process.