Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir placed several political leaders, including National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and PDP leaders like Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti, under house arrest on Sunday. This action preceded a planned protest by 'Open Merit' students demanding rationalization of the reservation policy. The students subsequently cancelled their protest due to these detentions and security measures. Leaders under house arrest condemned the actions as an attempt to silence dissent and suppress a peaceful demonstration for students' rights.