Kashmiri youth caught between Political, Personal aspirations

Say pellets and peace can’t go together; seek political solution to crisis

In Valley, the disturbing images of boys and girls in uniforms throwing stones at security forces without the fear of death send a larger message that the new generation is clearly caught in conflict between their personal and political aspirations. It also raises a question whether they are serious about their careers.
From nearly a decade, it just needs a trigger to mobilise protests in Kashmir. But this past week has been different as young boys and girls in their teens and early twenties are showing their outrage and alienation.
“We come to college to fulfil our dreams. We are not here to throw stones. We also want to become doctors, engineers and do well in life. But what has the government been doing with us? We are being alienated. We want peace and prosperity but first we want dignity,” says 22-year-old Tabish Parvez, a second year graduation student in Srinagar which witnessed intense clashes of students on Monday leading to a shutdown in the whole area.
Many believe that the government’s mishandling of the situation in Degree College, Pulwama, where security forces entered the college triggering clashes with students in which around 54 were injured on April 13, was a major mistake which led to the violent atmosphere. “The Army should not have been allowed to enter the college which resulted in clashes and led to this crisis. The situation was not handled properly,” said a senior government official. At the University of Kashmir, which is the highest seat of learning in the Valley having more than 7,000 students on its roll, student activism has been banned but the Kashmir University Students’ Union continues to hold protests within the varsity. The students who take part in the protests say they will continue to raise their voice in favour of the political resolution in Kashmir.
“We want that Kashmir should be like any other place- safe and prospering, but the way the situation has unfolded, pellets and peace can’t go together. The government has to engage in a political resolution. Who will talk for us? Today, every young girl and boy is ready to die,” says Sabahat, a 22-year-old student of English literature at the university.
Another student, Aqib Shah, believes that the political problem for the youth is a more serious issue for than their careers and economy. “Solve this crisis soon otherwise more the delay, more will be the trouble,” he says.

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