The Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to stop a proposed protest against the reservation policy has started a debate about whether an elected government should stop a peaceful dissent against any of its policies. On Sunday, police barricaded a park in Srinagar where the Open Merit Students Association had planned a sit-in. With the venue sealed and leaders confined to their homes, the group called off the protest, saying it had little choice. Among those reportedly placed under house arrest were Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and PDP leader Iltija Mufti. The government has cited the need to maintain order, but preventing a peaceful student protest has drawn criticism.
The larger issue, however, is not the police action alone. It is the growing unease among open-merit students over how reservation works on the ground. Student groups have argued that reserved categories, otherwise estimated to form around 30 percent of the population, occupy a share of government jobs and seats in professional colleges disproportionate to their total population. Moreover, the reserved-category candidates also can compete for open-merit seats, which further reduces space for general-category aspirants.
This has become a serious issue in a region where private-sector jobs are scarce and government employment remains the most secure option. For many students, years of preparation hinges on a handful of vacancies. When recruitment processes are delayed and opportunities limited, frustration is inevitable.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah defended the government’s decision, saying such protests could create unrest at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is trying to move forward. Yet within the ruling party itself, there was acknowledgement that the handling of the situation raised questions. NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the protest was peaceful and should not have been stopped, reiterating that the right to protest is a democratic one.
What is needed now is not escalation but engagement. Clear data on reservations, honest communication with students and a willingness to listen can help defuse tensions. Social justice and merit need not be opposing ideas. In a place battling high unemployment, in both Kashmir and Jammu, ensuring fairness is essential.