Srinagar, May 05: People’s Democratic Party Youth President and Parliament Candidate for Srinagar constituency, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra on Sunday urged New Delhi to “realise how every passing day of silence, inaction, and accusations” of being OGWs and labelling Kashmiri youth as anti-national push them further away from the Idea of India and fuels the growing sense of disenchantment in their hearts and minds.
“This could lead to disastrous consequences in the long run,” Parra warned, stating that Kashmir needs compassion and empathy, not rhetoric.
According to a statement issued here, Parra addressed several public meetings during his campaign in Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam District. He was accompanied by the party’s General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora, along with several PDP functionaries.
In his address, Parra urged New Delhi not to label Kashmiri youth as OGWs, but to “humanize” them. Instead of branding them as OGWs and anti-nationals, the Centre should understand their aspirations, struggles and the challenges they face on a daily basis. “Our children and youth are not statistics to be categorized; they are individuals with dreams, ambitions, and a desire for a better future. Acknowledging their talent paves the way for empathy, dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation,” he said.
Waheed highlighted efforts launched by the PDP President Mehbooba Mufti when she, as chief minister, announced an amnesty for first-time “offenders of stone pelting for 4,500 youth in the valley. He said the PDP has always believed in dialogue and reconciliation processes. “The coercion and oppression methods tested by this government have failed to bring changes in Kashmir. Dialogue and reconciliation have been effective in ending alienation among youth and bringing considerable change. We proved it during Mufti Sahib’s regime and again when Mehbooba Ji revoked the cases of hundreds of students,” he said.
The PDP leader said he is firmly resolved to ensure that the voices of the imprisoned youths are heard in the highest legislative institution of the country and their grievances are addressed. He urged New Delhi to extend a hand of empathy and support to Kashmiri youth, providing them with opportunities, education, and a platform to express themselves.
“Youth is our power and future. They are the ones who shall be at the helm of affairs, irrespective of the situations we are in. It’s important for our youth to understand that electoral politics is no holy sin; it’s our mandate, it’s our election, it’s our chosen representative. It’s the youth who is going to represent us. Do we want our representation to be outsourced to proxies or tourists?” he asked.
“The space for political growth and democratic & electoral processes needs to be widened by respecting the mandate of youth and giving them the space they need to make democratic and electoral processes progressive. Terrorising and labelling them as OGWs only aids in alienation,” he said.
Parra said the narrative of suspicion and demonisation only deepens the divide and alienates Kashmiri youth further. He urged the Centre to adopt a compassionate approach towards the youth of Kashmir, reaching out to them with a roadmap for a healing touch.
Highlighting his goal to create awareness about the aspirations of J&K youth in Delhi, Parra said, “We should convince the Parliament and people of India that integration of J&K youth can’t be through UAPA, jails, NIA, SIA and force. We need to talk to our youth, and we need to forgive and forget a lot of things. The Parliament of India has to rise to the occasion and say there has to be a massive amnesty and drop all the charges against the youth to let them reintegrate.”
