NC Split Surfaces as Farooq Defends, Sadiq Slams Detentions Over Reservation Protest | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A sharp divide has emerged within the National Conference (NC) after authorities detained several leaders and placed Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi under house arrest, effectively preventing a planned student protest over reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir.

While NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah defended the administration’s actions, party spokesperson and legislator Tanvir Sadiq criticised the detentions, calling them unjustified and a violation of democratic rights.

The protest, scheduled for 11 am in Srinagar, was called by students demanding action on reservation-related concerns. However, the demonstration was foiled after security forces blocked public gatherings and detained student leaders along with Ruhullah Mehdi.

Reacting to the developments, Dr Abdullah said the government would not allow instability to derail development in the Union Territory. Speaking to reporters in Pahalgam, he accused certain leaders of seeking turmoil in the Valley.

“They don’t like that the government is progressing. They want unrest, and we will not allow that,” Abdullah said, adding that grievances should be addressed through dialogue rather than street protests. He stressed that while the reservation issue was important, converting it into political tension or confrontation would not benefit society.

Abdullah urged the youth to remain united and peaceful, saying development and stability must take precedence. “We want progress, not conflict. We should move forward together in harmony and brotherhood,” he said.

In contrast, Tanvir Sadiq condemned the detention of student leaders and the house arrest of Ruhullah Mehdi, describing the action as “deeply troubling”. He questioned the selective handling of protests, pointing out that demonstrations directed at the elected government had earlier been allowed.

“We did not stop students from exercising their democratic right when protests were aimed at the elected government. We cannot abandon them now simply because their peaceful protest was directed at Lok Bhavan,” Sadiq said.

Sadiq said the NC-led government had acted promptly and transparently by submitting a report on rationalisation of reservation quotas, and argued that students’ democratic rights must be protected irrespective of where their protest is directed.