Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Dec 28: Ahead of a planned students’ protest on job reservations in Jammu and Kashmir, several prominent political figures, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, PDP MLA Waheed Para, and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattoo, alleged that they have been placed under house arrest in Srinagar on Sunday.
Iltija Mufti, PDP leader and Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, shared on X that she, too, was confined to her home. “Like many others, I’ve also been placed under house arrest in Srinagar today. The insecurity and paranoia of the security agencies knows no bounds. An entire contingent of female police personnel is deputed at the gate to physically stop me. Care to explain under what grounds @JmuKmrPolice?” she posted. Iltija resides with her mother in Srinagar district.
Supporters of NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi stated that armed police were deployed outside the MP’s residence to prevent him from joining the protest. Similarly, PDP MLA Waheed Para claimed he was barred from leaving his home, emphasizing that the reservation issue affects the future of younger generations.
In a statement on X, Para said, “The reservation policy has become an existential issue that strikes at the very foundation of the future of our younger generations. It has been over a year since we, along with students, assembled outside the CM @OmarAbdullah’s residence. Unfortunately, during this entire period, there has been absolutely zero intent on the part of the government to resolve this issue, compounding the uncertainty and anxiety shadowing our youth.”
He added, “This sit-in is a reminder to the government of its obligation to act with transparency and revamp the existing draconian reservation policy. At the very least, the reservation report must be placed in the public domain. The responsibility, wherever it may lie, must be acknowledged, and institutions including the office of CM and LG cannot be insulated from public accountability. The reservation issue is exceptionally sensitive, and we unequivocally endorse the demand for fairness and timely redressal.”
Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattoo said heavy deployments of JKP and CRPF personnel outside his residence were aimed at restricting his participation in the students’ sit-in. “A policy of apartheid against students can neither attain legitimacy nor permanence by curbing voices seeking justice. I stand with the students,” he said.
The proposed reservation reforms, recommended by the NC government led by Omar Abdullah, include a 7 per cent reduction in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota and a 3 per cent cut in the Residents of Backward Areas (RBA) quota, bringing the total job reservation under open merit to 40 per cent in the union territory. Implementation will follow approval by the Lieutenant Governor.