Archive · 29 Dec 2025
J&K Leaders Arrested Amid Quota Protests
In Jammu and Kashmir, several political leaders were put under house arrest to stop them from joining a student protest.
The students wanted the government to change the rules about who gets special seats in schools and jobs.
The government had promised to make these rules fairer, but the students say it's taking too long.
Some leaders, like Farooq Abdullah, say the protesters are causing trouble, while others, like Tanvir Sadiq, support the students' right to protest.
Because of the arrests, the students decided not to hold their protest.
The leaders and students want the government to be more open about what they're doing to fix the rules.
The BJP is also involved, promising more reservations for certain groups.
The situation is making people in Jammu and Kashmir very divided.
Political leaders, including Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and Waheed Para, were placed under house arrest to prevent them from joining a student protest in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was called off due to the house arrests and police deployment at the protest venue.
Students have been demanding a rationalisation of the reservation policy, which currently reserves over 60% of seats for various categories, leaving less than 40% for open merit candidates.
The National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had promised to address the reservation issue in their election manifestos.
NC president Farooq Abdullah accused protesters of wanting to create chaos, while NC leader Tanvir Sadiq supported the students' right to protest.
- Who
- Political leaders including Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Waheed Para, Iltija Mufti, and Junaid Mattu, along with open merit students in Jammu and Kashmir
- What
- House arrests of political leaders and cancellation of a student protest against the reservation policy
- When
- Sunday, following deployments since late Saturday night
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Why
- To prevent leaders from joining a protest against the delay in rationalising the reservation policy
Protesters and Supporting Leaders
Government and Opposing Leaders
Reservation Policy
Protesters and Supporting Leaders
Protesters demand a rationalisation of the reservation policy, seeking a fairer distribution of seats for open merit candidates.
Government and Opposing Leaders
Government leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, accuse protesters of wanting to create chaos and disrupt order.
Right to Protest
Protesters and Supporting Leaders
Leaders like Tanvir Sadiq support the students' right to protest, stating it is a legitimate democratic action.
Government and Opposing Leaders
The government and some leaders view the protests as an attempt to create unrest and political advantage.
- Leaders Arrested
- Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Waheed Para, Iltija Mufti, Junaid Mattu
- Protest Issue
- Rationalisation of reservation policy in J&K
- Current Reservation Policy
- Less than 40% seats for open merit, over 60% reserved
- Cabinet Recommendation
- 50% seats each for open merit and reserved categories
- Protest Cancellation
- Due to house arrests and police deployment
- NC's Stance
- Farooq Abdullah: Protesters want to create chaos; Tanvir Sadiq: Students have legitimate right to protest
- BJP's Stance
- Promised additional reservation for Agniveers and reservation in promotions for reserved groups
Sources
NC MP among those under house arrest; bid to create chaos: Farooq Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir govt stops reservation protest, puts Srinagar MP under house arrest
How J&K quota row has landed Omar govt in a spot, widened cracks in NC
