SRINAGAR: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday reaffirmed his support for students protesting over the reservation issue and called on the government to immediately engage with them and spell out the steps being taken to resolve the matter.
In a post on X, Ruhullah said he had neither forgotten nor abandoned the students, emphasising that clear and transparent communication from the government was essential at this juncture.
He warned that if the authorities fail to initiate dialogue and inform students of concrete measures by Saturday, he would personally join them in protest. The MP said he would walk with the students and sit with them on Sunday at the same venue where a protest was held on December 23 last year, to ensure their concerns are heard.
Ruhullah’s statement comes amid continuing student unrest over the reservation policy. Earlier this month, the Omar Abdullah-led government approved a revised reservation framework, reportedly intended to address long-standing concerns over an uneven quota system. However, the details of the policy are yet to be made public.
The proposal has been forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for approval, but the absence of clarity has heightened anxiety among students and several organisations. Many groups have warned of protests if the proposed changes are found to be insufficient or cosmetic.
After taking office, the Omar Abdullah government constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to review and bring greater fairness to the reservation policy. Following months of deliberations, the recommendations were sent to the Lieutenant Governor’s office, even as uncertainty persists over the final shape of the policy.
