Sun Dec 28 09:45:27 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
Students in the Open Merit category in Kashmir canceled a planned protest in Srinagar on December 28, 2025, due to the detention of student leaders and alleged house arrest of political figures like National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah, PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra, and PDP leader Iltija Mufti. The students are protesting the current reservation policy, claiming it’s unfair. Political leaders accuse the government of suppressing dissent. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah formed a committee to address the issue, but demands for transparency regarding the committee’s proposal are growing.
News Article:
Kashmir: Student Protest Over Reservation Policy Canceled Amid Detentions, House Arrest Allegations
Srinagar, December 28, 2025 – A planned sit-in protest in Srinagar by students from the Open Merit category was called off today after several student leaders were reportedly detained and prominent political figures were allegedly placed under house arrest. The protest was organized to voice concerns over the current reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, which students claim is unfair and disadvantages them.
The Open Merit Students Association J&K announced the cancellation via a post on X, citing “circumstances beyond our control” and urging students to remain calm and return home safely. According to a student leader who requested anonymity, numerous activists were preemptively detained or warned against participating in the demonstration. Security forces also reportedly sealed off the protest venue in the Polo View area.
National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah, PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra, and PDP leader Iltija Mufti have all accused the J&K Police of placing them under house arrest to prevent them from joining the protesting students. Ruhullah’s aide stated that the MP was officially barred from leaving his residence, and that students have been arrested. Parra’s spokesman condemned the alleged house arrest as “blatant State repression,” while Mufti posted a picture of her residence surrounded by concertina wire, decrying the “insecurity and paranoia” of security agencies in “Naya Kashmir.”
The protests stem from growing discontent among Open Merit students who feel that the existing reservation policy unfairly limits their opportunities. Following earlier protests, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah established a Cabinet subcommittee to address the issue and rationalize the Open Merit category share to 50%. Abdullah has reportedly submitted the proposal for approval, but calls are mounting for the details of the proposal to be made public. The situation remains tense as students await a resolution to their grievances and question the transparency of the government’s response.
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