Protests have erupted in Kashmir following recent changes to the region's reservation policy, with demonstrators gathering outside National Conference leader Omar Abdullah's residence in Srinagar to voice their concerns over the modified quota system.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's administration has implemented amendments to the 2005 Reservation Policy, which includes a reduction in general category quotas while increasing tribal category reservations to 20 percent. The changes have sparked controversy, particularly among the region's general category population, which comprises 69 percent of the total population.
Notable political figures including National Conference MP Rohullah Mehdi, Altaja Mufti, and Sheikh Khurshi, brother of Engineer Rashid, joined the demonstrations. Protesters expressed concerns about the policy's implications for the general category residents and its potential impact on social dynamics in the region.
The National Conference had previously included reservation policy reform in their electoral manifesto, though demonstrators claim these promises remain unfulfilled. The amendments, implemented during the current administration, have generated debate about their timing and potential political implications.
The policy modifications occur against the backdrop of broader discussions about regional autonomy and representation. Political leaders at the protest highlighted concerns about youth rights and the restoration of special status, arguing these issues require broader consultation and review.
