Wajahat Shabir
Srinagar: The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured a delegation of protesting students that the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) formed to review the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir will submit its report within six months, according to student leaders.
The protest was led by National Conference senior leader and Member of Parliament Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi. MP Aga, along with hundreds of students, marched by foot towards the residence, which was guarded with heavy security.
As the protest was on, PDP senior leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Para, senior PDP leader Iltija Mufti, and MLA Langate Khursheed Ahmad, one of the sons of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, joined the protest.
Addressing the students, Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi Monday said he is not satisfied with the formation of the cabinet sub-committee. He added that the rationalization of the reservation quota should be ensured as per population proportion, and what matters to him is nothing but the satisfaction of the students.
He further said that reservation policy should not discriminate and should be ensured according to the Supreme Court ruling or the population proportion. He had already assured the students that their grievances were genuine and that he would do every possible thing to ensure justice was delivered.
“I had promised the students that I will protest in their favour and today we are here to fight for them. We will raise our voice in favour of students at every platform to get favourable results, MP Srinagar said. I know the government has listened to you, and formed a cabinet sub-committee. But, I am not satisfied with it, and I would only be satisfied when students are satisfied,” he said.
“I don’t want any chaos, and I am not here to divide my party. I will go to every door to seek justice. But, if anyone wants to create chaos in J&K, I will also hit the streets to oppose them,” he said.
As MP Srinagar was addressing the students, Aga informed he got intimation from inside CM’s house that a students’ delegation be sent that will meet the chief minister.
He said that they choose five students one each from central, south and north Kashmir, and one from Jammu and a female student to meet the CM. Ruhullah said that the delegation will put forth their demands and discuss the issue with the chief minister. “We will not move from here till students come out after meeting the chief minister.
Later, five students met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence and informed him about the tough situation being faced by open merit students.
Mir Mujeeb, one of the students who met Chief Minister said that we met him and talked about the grievances we open merit students are facing.
He pointed out that certain measures could be immediately undertaken by the Chief Minister, such as revising the 10% reservation criteria and resolving complications related to NEET quota admissions. Mujeeb stressed that these changes could alleviate the challenges many students currently face without waiting for lengthy processes.
Discussing the role of the sub-committee, Mujeeb called for a clear and time-bound framework to ensure accountability. He suggested capping the reservation limit at 76.5% and allowing the ongoing judicial processes to handle disputes effectively. According to him, this approach would strike a balance between immediate relief and long-term solutions.
Mujeed said that the Chief Minister told them to give them six months with regard to sub-committee that has been formed to reservation row. And, on 76.5% reservation things, CM said that it has to go through judicial process.
He said through subcommittee there will be consultation with all groups and fair and justice solution will be reached out.
Mujeeb also expressed dissatisfaction with the six-month waiting period proposed for implementing reforms. He described the timeline as unnecessarily long, urging authorities to expedite decisions to benefit students sooner rather than later as major recruitment cycles are underway.
MP Aga, while addressing media after students met Chief Minister said acknowledged that a six-month deadline had been set for the sub-committee to deliberate and finalize its recommendations.
However, he clarified that this does not necessarily mean the entire six months will be utilized; the process could conclude within two to three months. He also noted that one month of the six-month period had already passed, effectively leaving five months for resolution.
Highlighting the importance of having a timeline, MP Aga appreciated the positive approach of setting a time-bound framework.
He recognized the complexities of the situation, pointing out that the current administration is functioning under unique circumstances, as the rules of business are yet to be fully clarified. He emphasized that normal governance procedures and clarity on roles, particularly regarding decision-making authority between the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Cabinet, are essential for smoother functioning.
MP Aga further explained that certain issues are also pending in the courts, and resolutions will depend on the clarity provided through judicial outcomes.
He expressed hope that deliberations would conclude within two months, providing the necessary clarity on governance roles and responsibilities. This understanding, he said, would help determine which subjects fall under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, or the Cabinet.
He assured that if the sub-committee identifies a subject as falling under the Lieutenant Governor’s authority, the matter will be pursued with the LG. MP Aga reiterated the need for a structured approach to decision-making and stressed the importance of resolving the issue well within the allocated timeframe.
Later Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to X and said today I met the representatives of the Open Merit Students Association. The beauty of democracy is the right to be heard & dialogue in a spirit of mutual cooperation. I have made certain requests of them & given them a number of assurances. This channel of communication will remain open without any intermediaries or hangers on.’
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, has also called for “rationalisation” of reservations.
Meanwhile, a Jammu and Kashmir-based Sikh organisation on Monday extended support to the protests against the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the existing quota system was “based on politics”.
The All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has called for reverting to the earlier system.
“Since open merit is a big category, youth belonging to this category should be given more weightage as was the case earlier. The reservation to splinter groups is more based on politics rather than the actual situation,” APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said in a statement here.
