Demanding rationalisation of reservation quota in government jobs and scholarships, a large number of open merit aspirants led by a Member Parliament from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi  Monday laid a siege to the official residence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for several hours.

Braving inclement weather conditions under sub-zero temperatures these aspirants staged a peaceful demonstration holding placards which read ‘Stop Genocide Against Open Merit’.

PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Parra along with other party leaders including Iltija Mufti also joined the peaceful protest outside the CM’s residence.

Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had also extended support to a sit-in protest called to demand rationalisation in the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir.

While expressing concern, Mirwaiz said that the matter should be addressed with justice and fairness by those at the helm.

Reacting to the developments taking place outside his residence, the Chief Minister invited a group of students.

After briefing them on various steps initiated by his newly formed government Omar promised the student delegation that the government would address the reservation issue within the period of six months.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the protesting student delegation that their demands would be addressed and the sub-committee would submit its report within 6 months”, the Spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference posted on X(earlier Twitter).

JKNC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi also termed the time frame given by chief minister Jammu & Kashmir a ‘positive development’.

“I’m thankful to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who listened to students over the reservation issue and gave a time frame of six months to solve this grave and sensitive issue,” MP Ruhullah said.

He said the time frame set by CM Abdullah doesn’t mean it will take a full six months. “It may take two or three months only. As one month has already passed, I’m hopeful that the matter will be resolved in the coming five months,” he said.

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi also maintained that the rationalisation of reservation quota should be ensured as per population proportion, and that he is not satisfied with the formation of the cabinet sub-committee, but satisfaction of students matters to him.

Earlier addressing a student gathering he said that there should be no discrimination in reservation policy, and the policy should be ensured as per the Supreme Court ruling or as per the population proportion.