Pushing J&K Youth Into Silence Creating ‘Pressure Cooker’ Situation: PDP Chief

SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday cautioned that continued marginalisation and suppression of youth voices in Jammu and Kashmir could create a dangerous “pressure cooker” situation with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Addressing a public interaction titled Kathbaat in Anantnag, Mufti said the region is passing through a deeply challenging phase marked by fear, silence and widespread disillusionment. She observed that people were not quiet because they agreed with prevailing circumstances but because they felt suffocated and unable to express themselves freely.

“People are silent not by choice but out of fear. Survival itself has become a struggle. When voices are suppressed for too long, the pressure keeps building. Such a situation can explode with serious consequences,” she said, adding that her party would continue to resist injustice and work for the welfare of the people.

The PDP chief pointed to the recent house arrest of political leaders, including her daughter Iltija Mufti, PDP MLA Waheed Para and National Conference MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, ahead of proposed protests against delays in rationalising the reservation policy. She said such actions highlight the shrinking democratic space and the urgent need for platforms where people can peacefully raise their concerns.

“If people want to protest peacefully, why are they stopped? Kathbaat is our attempt to create a forum where grievances can be voiced and taken up with the government in a democratic manner,” she said.

Mufti also referred to recent incidents outside the Union Territory, including a blast in Delhi, to underline the seriousness of youth alienation. She said such incidents serve as reminders of what happens when young people feel disconnected, unheard and excluded from the mainstream.

“When youth feel abandoned and ignored, the consequences can be dangerous. Their issues must be addressed through dialogue and opportunity, not through silence and force,” she said.

Highlighting the economic distress in the region, Mufti spoke of declining tourism, rising unemployment and growing uncertainty in the horticulture sector. She expressed concern over the impact of cheap apple imports from countries such as New Zealand, the United States, Chile and parts of Europe, warning that such policies threaten the livelihoods of lakhs of families dependent on fruit cultivation.

“Where will those associated with horticulture go if their produce becomes unviable in the market?” she asked.

The PDP leader also raised concerns over high electricity tariffs, what she termed as injustice to open merit candidates under the existing reservation framework, and the continued detention of thousands of youths lodged in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir. She said these issues compelled her to approach the court through a public interest litigation seeking the return of such detainees.

Mufti further criticised incidents of mob violence and harassment reported from different parts of the country, calling them alarming and detrimental to social harmony.

She concluded by urging the authorities to open channels of dialogue, protect democratic rights and focus on addressing the genuine political, economic and social grievances of the people, particularly the youth, to prevent further alienation and instability in the region.