Kashmir’s Awakened Conscience Fearless Against Terrorism: Var

Democratic Setup, Stable Economy, Employed Youth Key to Dynamic Kashmir, Says Srinagar Educationist G.N. Var

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir — A democratic setup, stable economy, and employed youth are key to a dynamic and emerging Kashmir, said Srinagar-based educationist G.N. Var.

Var, president of the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir, asserted that “New Kashmir stands in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, as well as their families.” He added, “Kashmiris are now an awakened collective conscience, fearless of terrorists.”

Var spoke with Bhawna Malik about terrorism, unemployment, and other issues affecting the region.

Q: You led the call to close private schools across Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack. What prompted your decision?

Var: Schools were not closed for security reasons but to show solidarity with victims and their families, sending a message that they are not alone in their grief. Previously, bandhs and strikes were announced by political leaders and activists, but now we have taken this initiative.

There are 5,800 private schools in Jammu and Kashmir with nearly 1.4 million students.

Q: How are students coping with the situation following the Pahalgam terror attack?

Var: Students are shocked and fearful. Psychologically, this incident has hit them hard. They struggle to focus in class and discuss the attack among themselves and with teachers.

This is no longer a hushed era for Kashmir’s children. They want to talk about it. We have counselors in each school, and students are free to discuss fears, insecurities, or anything troubling them. Parents and teachers have also been affected by the civilian killings.

Q: How long will the schools remain closed?

Var: Schools have reopened to restore normalcy for students, but the attack has significantly impacted their mental health. Years of strikes, terror acts, and prolonged indoor confinement have taken an emotional toll.

Children are innocent and struggle to grasp the incident’s true nature. Regular meetings with parents, teachers, counselors, and psychologists ensure students feel secure.

Candlelight marches will continue at Lal Chowk, organized not only by the school association but also by market, hotel, trade, and shikara (houseboat) associations. Every Kashmiri is protesting and condemning the Pahalgam attack.

Q: With your decades of experience witnessing Kashmir’s violence, do you think normalcy will return soon after the Pahalgam attack?

Var: One-third of Jammu and Kashmir’s population is in schools. Students experienced the valley’s dark period firsthand and are still not fully recovered.

Today, students have greater access to information via the internet, watching videos and engaging in chats and debates. They are aware, and you cannot hide anything from them.

While things were slowly improving, tourism is not the only impacted industry. Kashmir is more than Pahalgam.

Q: Why do you say students are still not completely out of the dark period?

Var: The 1990s brought violent disruptions to the valley’s people. Before then, Kashmir had no violent past — a time when no one locked their doors.

Tourists were never harmed, let alone killed. It was that safe. Strikes, stone-pelting, and bandhs were called by Hurriyat, political leaders, and activists. Students still carry nightmares, and some exhibit triggers for violent behavior.

Q: What changes have you observed in Kashmiri people post-militancy or after the removal of Article 370?

Var: Free and fair elections strengthen democracy. Youth are seeking better future prospects, and people are connecting with the system. Extreme ideologies are fading.

Sanity and balance are slowly being restored, and life is becoming more peaceful. Some support terrorists, but they are non-Kashmiri actors.

Q: You mentioned youth seeking a better future, but they face a drug menace.

Var: Yes, drug abuse exists, but it affects only 10% of youth. This is a law-and-order issue. Unemployment is a bigger challenge in Jammu and Kashmir.

Outsiders view tourism as the main industry, but it accounts for just 6% of the region’s GDP. Handicrafts, art, culture, floriculture, fruits, and dry fruits contribute 80%. We are the largest walnut producer, yet markets for fruits and dry fruits are stagnant.

Q: How is local political leadership addressing economic challenges?

Var: Political leaders, regardless of party, are similar. Central government policies often fail to reflect Jammu and Kashmir’s realities. Policies cannot be framed in New Delhi without understanding local needs.

Q: Youth in the Kashmir valley idolized Burhan Wani. How does government policy contribute?

Var: Situations in the valley are exploited for vested interests. Burhan Wani became a poster boy, propped up by neighboring countries and media agencies. That’s not what Kashmiri youth seek.

Q: Which government policies do you find inadequate?

Var: Education is the largest job creator, with potential for 100,000 jobs if the government allows private universities in Jammu and Kashmir. Private sector involvement, as seen in Dehradun, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, could be transformative.

Q: What are the security challenges on the ground?

Var: There is no coordination among Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Border Security Force, leading to confusion. Why was there no security for tourists in Pahalgam?

Q: You mentioned a people’s movement against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Var: Previously, not everyone participated in such responses. This time, every Kashmiri — women, men, trade unions, associations — is protesting the Pahalgam attack. Fear is gone, and people are united.

Civil society has openly condemned the tourist killings. A new Kashmir is emerging with no social support for terrorists. The mantra is clear: “We will face bullets rather than surrender to militants.”

Q: Terrorists targeted tourists based on religion before killing them. Your reaction?

Var: Terrorism has no religion. If it did, why was Adil Hussain killed? Hundreds of innocent locals, many Muslims, died during militancy.

Islam teaches that killing an innocent person is akin to killing humanity. No true Muslim would harm an innocent human.

Q: You described this as a people’s movement in Jammu and Kashmir.

Var: Schools have reopened, and discussions, seminars, and symposiums will continue to sensitize students, parents, and teachers. Everyone must value human life and respect one another.

Q: What lies ahead for emerging Jammu and Kashmir?

Var: Better coordination among law enforcement agencies is essential. The central government must craft policies grounded in Jammu and Kashmir’s realities. Emerging Kashmir will stand against terror and protect every tourist, as Kashmiris are true “mehman nawaz” (hospitable hosts).

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