Srinagar: In Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have driven scholars and students to the streets, compelling them to sell dry fruits as a means of livelihood. This significant shift highlights the acute challenges faced by the educated youth under the current regime.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Modi administration’s reluctance to fill vacant academic positions with local scholars has exacerbated unemployment among the highly educated. Despite having completed extensive studies, including PhDs, many scholars find themselves unable to secure positions in their fields. This situation has forced them to turn to street vending for survival; notable are two PhD scholars recently seen selling dry fruits on a cart in Shopian town.

The report further detailed that over the last five years, many holders of MPhil and PhD degrees have had no choice but to pivot to entirely different professions. This change not only indicates a waste of educational resources but also reflects a broader despair among the youth, leading them to reconsider the value of higher education in the region.

The ongoing neglect by the Modi-led government has not only affected individual lives but is also stirring significant unrest among the Kashmiri youth. Echoing historical student movements in other regions, such as Bangladesh, there is a growing concern that continued ignorance by the authorities could lead to a major uprising in Kashmir.

This crisis point serves as a stark illustration of the disconnect between the government’s policies and the needs of its educated populace, potentially setting the stage for future conflicts if not addressed promptly.