Jammu and Kashmir CM, Mehbooba Mufti, was inaugurating the new block of Indira Gandhi Dental College and Hospital in Jammu when, in the speech, she addressed the consequences of the unrest in parts of the state. She said that the youngsters in the state should not be fighting on the streets or sitting idly at home. Instead, they should attend school and focus on their studies.

Present Situation

There has been civil unrest in the valley over the past 50-odd days following the killing of Burhan Wahi. The stand-offs between the citizens of J&K and the security forces are increasing by the day. The shopkeepers are afraid of opening their shops and employees are worried about going to work. One of the worst outcomes of this unrest is that children who know nothing about the issue are being used to attack the armed forces. This has also lead to the shutdown of all educational institutions in the valley. The exams to be held in this period have also been postponed.

Looking for a Solution

Talking at the inauguration about the disorder, Mehbooba Mufti said that the right place for children is classrooms and educational institutes like IIMs, IITs, engineering, medical, and dental colleges. There should not be fighting on the streets.

She also said that all religions have the highest regard for education and that we should consider studies as a religious service in order to achieve our goals in life.

Towards the end of her speech, she asserted that children should have books in their hands and sit in classrooms to become engineers, doctors and architects of the future rather than carry stones and fight on the streets.

The Chief Minister believes that education is the fundamental key for empowering and enriching the society. It is necessary and vital to provide quality education to the youth of Kashmir and also emphasise on skill development. These are the methods in which the proficiency can be enhanced, and education can’t be perceived as something to achieve just for the sake of future employment.

Will the CM’s wise words have an effect on the society? Will the prolonged unrest in the valley end in the near future?