Srinagar, Dec 28: Amid growing anger over the delay in rationalising J&K’s reservation policy, the house detention of political leaders and activists ahead of a planned student protest on Sunday triggered sharp criticism, while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq accused authorities of “resorting to force instead of dialogue.”
Reacting to the police action, Mirwaiz said the administration’s “default response” to issues in or concerning Kashmir continues to be coercive measures, even when the matter involves a peaceful sit-in by anxious students demanding justice. The students, protesting what they describe as a lopsided reservation policy that threatens their future, had announced a sit-in in Srinagar to press for rationalisation of quotas.
“The default response of those in authority to every issue in or about Kashmir is-use of force. Even if it is a peaceful sit-in by anxious students protesting a lopsided reservation policy jeopardising their future, demanding justice. Strongly condemn the house detention of leaders and activists supporting the students and some student leaders. This is a very important concern of people that needs redressal without delay not reprisal, before it blows up. The elected Govt has a responsibility to fulfil in this matter. Besides the matter of harassment that Kashmiris in Haryana, Himachal and other parts of India are facing, also needs to be seriously taken up and addressed by them,” Mirwaiz said in a post on X.
The criticism came in the backdrop of the house detention of National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para, Iltija Mufti and several youth leaders, who were prevented from joining the sit-in. The reservation issue has been a long-standing demand of open merit students, who argue that the current policy disproportionately favours reserved categories, leaving fewer than 40 per cent seats for open merit candidates. Both the National Conference and the PDP had promised rationalisation of reservations during elections, raising expectations among students.
The tweet also placed responsibility squarely on the elected government, stating that it must fulfill its commitment to address the issue transparently and without delay. According to the post, failure to engage meaningfully with students risks deepening alienation among the youth.
In addition to the reservation issue, Mirwaiz flagged concerns over reports of harassment faced by Kashmiris in states such as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the country. The matter, the tweet said, also requires urgent intervention by the elected government to ensure the safety and dignity of people from Kashmir.