Ruhullah Says He Will Hold Dharna Outside CM’s Residence Today, Omar Reacts
Srinagar: Ahead his party MP announced to go-ahead with proposed protest, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that his government was alive to the issue and it has not been ignored and swept under the carpet.
“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,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
He said, in the meantime, the reservation policy has also been challenged in the High Court of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
“We will, of course, be bound by any judgment when the final legal options have been exhausted,” he said.
The chief minister said peaceful protest is a democratic right of the people and he would not oppose it.
“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
Earlier National Conference Member Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said that he will hold a sit-on dharna on Monday outside the residence of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah against the reservation policy.
He has also invited everyone affected and everyone else in support of the affected.
MP Srinagar announced the protest plan on X.
“Today marks the date I had committed to stand with those whose voices demand rationality in the reservation policy”, Mehdi posted on X on Sunday.
“In my response to a post on X by a concerned citizen, I urged everyone to wait until 22nd December to give the elected government time to address this issue”, he stated and said “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*”, Mehdi remarked and said, “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”, he said.
“Tomorrow, I will join the people in a peaceful and dignified attempt to demand answers on their issues from the government,” Mehdi said and added “I request all those voluntarily coming to maintain civility and focus on raising genuine demands for a rational reservation policy”.
He said, “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”.