Delhi failed to build 'bridges of reconciliation' with Kashmiri youth: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and working president of opposition National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah, on Tuesday alleged that the youth of the State are being “suffocated” by “repressive policies” of the PDP-BJP government. “The looming uncertainty coupled with the confrontational approach of the PDP-BJP government has created a sense of despair and hopelessness among the youth,” he said.
Abdullah who was speaking at a youth convention at the party headquarters in Srinagar also said that the Central government’s “unfortunate failure” to reach out and build bridges of reconciliation and peace with the youth of the State has created a political vacuum. “In this grim atmosphere, our youth is being robbed of their right to dream of a dignified and prosperous future – which is a travesty”, he said.
He said the youth feel cheated and betrayed after promises made to them in 2014 were either broken or unapologetically abandoned. “Promises were made during the elections and votes sought for specific purposes. The same promises were then bartered without any inhibitions for personal and familial political empowerment of a few people while our hardworking, honest and sincere young men and women were let down and left to the mercy of uncertainty and turmoil,” he alleged. He added that due to this “treachery”, the trust deficit has been further widened to an extent where skepticism on the ground far overshadows the utility of any rhetoric the government has to offer.
He, however, exhorted the activists of the party’s Youth Wing to lead efforts to bring about change and empower the youth to shape a future of dignity and peace. He asked them to organize themselves at the local ground level in a decentralized manner and lead a collective effort to bring about a change. “You are the harbingers of change and you have to work together and with utmost dedication and conviction to be a source of reprieve for the people. Together, the youth can lead a historic effort to rid the State of political opportunism and deceit”, he said.
