Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, today said that pushing the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to the wall creates a “pressure cooker” situation that could have catastrophic consequences.
Speaking at the “Kathbaat” event in Anantnag, Mufti said the region is going through a difficult phase, with people feeling muted and suffocated, unable to express themselves freely. “People are silent, not because they agree, but because they feel suffocated. Survival itself has become a challenge, but we will continue to resist and work for the people,” she said.
The PDP Chief said the house arrest of party leaders, including Iltija Mufti, Waheed Para, and National Conference leader Agha Ruhulla, ahead of protests against reservation delays, highlighted the need for platforms where people could voice their concerns.
“If anyone wants to protest peacefully, why are they not allowed? This Kathbaat initiative gives people a platform to raise issues and take them up with the Government,” she said.
Mufti referred to the recent Delhi blast, highlighting youth alienation as a serious concern. “When such incidents happen, it shows how disconnected the youth feel. We must address their issues instead of ignoring them,” she said.
She also discussed economic and social challenges facing the region, including declining tourism, rising unemployment, and the fruit industry’s struggle against cheap apple imports from New Zealand, the USA, Chile, and Europe.
“Where will the people associated with horticulture go?” she asked. She added that electricity tariffs are high, open merit candidates suffer due to reservation policies, and thousands of youth are imprisoned outside the UT, prompting her to file a PIL seeking their return.
The PDP chief criticised rising mob violence and harassment cases in the country.
The post Pushing youth to wall creates pressure cooker situation: Mufti appeared first on Daily Excelsior.