Ahead of the proposed protest, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that his government was alive to the issue and it has not been ignored and swept under the carpet.

“I understand the emotions surrounding the reservation issue. JKNC had committed to examining all aspects of it in our manifesto released before the assembly elections,” Omar said in a tweet, according to GNS.

“It is as a continuation of this commitment that a cabinet sub-committee was constituted to move towards fulfilling this promise. That sub-committee was only recently notified & is in the process of starting its work by engaging with all stakeholders,” he said, adding, “In the mean time the reservation policy has also been challenged in the Hon’ble High Court of JK&L. We will, of course, be bound by any judgement when the final legal options have been exhausted.”

Omar said that it has come to his attention that a protest is being planned in Srinagar to highlight the sense of injustice surrounding the reservation policy.

“Peaceful protest is a democratic right & I would be the last person to deny anyone that right but please protest knowing that the issue has not been ignored or swept under the carpet,” he said, adding, “Your government is doing what any responsible government would do - making sure everyone is heard & a fair decision arrived at after completing due process”.