Is the Youth's Protest a Wake-Up Call for India and Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Youth are actively protesting for their rights.
- Systemic failures have led to disillusionment among young people.
- Protests transcend national borders, highlighting shared struggles.
- Demands for justice, accountability, and dignity are on the rise.
- Political leaders must respond to the youth's demands.
Srinagar, Oct 3 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, expressed on Friday that the youth are "awakening" through their protests, as they face the harsh reality that the system has let down their dreams and aspirations.
Mufti stated on X, "From Uttarakhand to Ladakh and across the border in Kashmir, Gen Z is rising. When the future appears uncertain and dreams are dashed, resistance transcends borders. These youths, who have worked hard for a promising future, adhered to the rules, and held on to a flicker of hope, now see that future slipping away. They are not merely protesting; they are challenging authority with the raw truth, as the system they were taught to trust has failed them profoundly."
"This is not just noise; it reflects heartbreak transforming into resistance. This isn't merely a rebellion but a desperate plea for survival. They are no longer asking; they are demanding what is rightfully theirs: Accountability, Justice, Opportunity, and Dignity. This is a wake-up call for both India and neighboring Pakistan," she added.
Mufti also shared videos of protests advocating for 'Azadi,' which she believes serves as an urgent message for both nations.
The PDP leader has consistently criticized both the Jammu and Kashmir government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Central government.
While she aligns with the ruling National Conference (NC) on demands for statehood and reducing reservations, she also holds Abdullah accountable for leading what she describes as a 'powerless elected government.'
She has been particularly vocal against the BJP and its leaders regarding their handling of national issues.
Her late father, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, formed a coalition with the BJP post the 2014 elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Following Sayeed's passing, Mehbooba Mufti continued this coalition until the BJP withdrew in June 2018.
In the 2024 Assembly elections, the PDP secured only three seats, a drastic decline from the 28 seats it won in 2014.
Many former colleagues and ministers have exited the PDP, and for the past seven years, Mufti has been striving to solidify her party's position.