Srinagar: The politics of reservation has set off a storm in Jammu and Kashmir, uniting anti-BJP regional parties under a banner to oppose the policy changes that followed the abrogation of Article 370.
Streets across the Valley have turned into protest zones. National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and even Hurriyat leaders take to the streets.
Interestingly leading the charge is NC leader and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, who staged a demonstration outside the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It showed the protest has got sanction of the ruling party NC.
Echoing the sentiments of the agitators, the protestors chanted, “Let merit survive, let meritocracy thrive.”
The resentment stems from changes in the reservation policy introduced post-2019, which these leaders claim are skewed against meritocracy and tilt the scales in favor of certain community.
The situation has placed the ruling BJP at the center in a spot, as it faces accusations of pushing a divisive agenda in the region.
With NC, PDP, and Hurriyat leaders aligning on this contentious issue, the protests reflect new moment of 'unity' among otherwise ideologically opposed factions.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have refrained from making any direct statements, but sources suggest that the central government is unlikely to roll back the changes.