Srinagar, Dec. 28 -- Apni Party President Ghulam Hassan Mir on Saturday criticized the house arrest of Srinagar MP Agha Ruhullah, who was scheduled to join a peaceful protest on the reservation issue earlier today.

Mir said stopping students and political leaders from holding a sit-in protest is "against the spirit of democracy" and weakens people's trust in the system.

He said that peaceful protest is not a threat, but a democratic right.

"Not allowing a sit-in protest by students and some leaders is undemocratic. It is the beauty of democracy that anybody can express their views through peaceful means," Mir said.

Mir also said the government should have allowed the protest, especially when the youth were raising concerns peacefully....