Arshad Farooq
Srinagar, Dec 23: Cabinet Minister Sakeena Itoo on Monday said it is the democratic right to hold peaceful protest, while stating that expressing viewpoints is fundamental in a democratic setup.
“There is nothing wrong in holding a protest. Everyone has the right to express their views. The National Conference (NC) has never discouraged anyone from putting forth their perspective,” Itoo said while addressing media queries about the protest led by Member of Parliament Aga Rahullah against the reservation policy outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar.
The protest, held earlier in the day, saw Rahullah and his supporters raising concerns over the reservation policy and demanding a transparent and inclusive framework.
The demonstration underscored the dissatisfaction among certain sections of the population regarding the implementation of the policy.
Responding to the criticism, Itoo said that a cabinet sub-committee has already been constituted to address the concerns surrounding the reservation policy. “We are actively working on the issue. The committee is deliberating on all aspects to ensure an equitable and just solution,” she added.
