The National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar, Ruhullah Mehdi, on Sunday announced a protest against the Omar Abdullah government over its alleged failure to amend the reservation policy, prompting the chief minister to come out with fresh assurances to address the issue.

The protest will be held outside the chief minister's residence on Monday.

Mehdi had given the Omar-led government a deadline of December 22 for rationalising the reservation system.

The reservation policy introduced by the lieutenant governor's administration is one of the burning issues in Jammu and Kashmir as it puts the majority population among the two biggest ethnic groups —Kashmiris and Dogras — at a disadvantage. Those opposing the current reservation policy claim that it reduces the share of the open merit quota for 70 per cent of the population to a mere 30 per cent.

“...I urged everyone to wait until 22nd December to give the elected government time to address this issue. I also said that if the matter was not resolved by then, I would join you in protest outside the HCM’s (honourable CM) residence or office,” Mehdi posted on X.

Omar had last month formed a cabinet sub-committee to look into the reservation issue.

Reacting to Mehdi’s announcement, Omar claimed that the sub-committee was only recently notified and was in the process of starting its work by engaging with the stakeholders.

“Peaceful protest is a democratic right and I would be the last person to deny anyone that right but please protest knowing that the issue has not been ignored or swept under the carpet. Your government is doing what any responsible government would do — making sure everyone is heard and a fair decision arrived at after completing due process,” he said.