Budgam, June 11, KNT: Member of Parliament and National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday extended his complete support to activists campaigning for the protection of open merit in reservation policies, during a meeting held in Budgam.
The activists, who have been vocal against any dilution of open merit seats in recruitment and admissions, met Ruhullah to share their concerns about the recent developments surrounding a possible overhaul of the reservation structure in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the interaction, Aga Ruhullah patiently heard the delegation’s viewpoint, acknowledging the anxieties of merit-based aspirants regarding fair competition and equal opportunity. He assured them of his unwavering support and emphasized that meritocracy must not be compromised in the name of populist policymaking.
While extending solidarity, Ruhullah also advised the activists to show restraint until the government tables the report of the sub-cabinet committee, formed earlier to review the reservation framework, in the upcoming cabinet meeting. “Let the report come to light first. We will evaluate it together and respond accordingly,” he was quoted as saying.
One of the activists who attended the meeting confirmed that they have decided to withhold any protest or agitation until the contents of the sub-cabinet report are revealed and discussed at the cabinet level. “Let us see what is in the report—whether it is just and meets the expectations of open merit candidates. Things will be clear after the cabinet meeting,” the activist told Kashmir News Trust.
The activist further clarified that the movement is apolitical and driven purely by concerns of equity and transparency in public recruitment and educational opportunities. “We are not affiliated with any political party. This is a people’s issue, not a partisan agenda,” he said. [KNT]
