J&K assembly elections: Strong emotions over Article 370 unite youths in Valley

GANDERBAL (KASHMIR): His flowing beard evokes a picture of piety and his humble tone of a decent young man. His cakes and pastries suggest a passion to bake. But his lament runs a dagger deep through the heart.

Aamir Nazir (29) is an engineer from Kashmir University, a 2020 graduate, who is making a living by selling tea and snacks on a highway passing through the 'Ganderbal garage' area. He banks on good local traffic and booming tourism to Sonmarg. "I am still doing something. I was an average student. But even the toppers of my batch are without jobs," he said. And to underline, Aamir is vocal about Article 370.

Special status for J&K, under whose shadow is unfolding the 2024 assembly election, evokes strong emotions. But for youngsters like Aamir, the junked provision is as utilitarian as a livelihood question. "Article 370 reserved jobs and land for us. It's important for my generation," he reasoned.

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Throughout the region, the anger over nullification of Article 370 has triggered the people to rush to voting booths in hordes. But it is also a sentiment that connects with the cry for jobs and incomes echoing from Anantnag to Srinagar to Ganderbal.

Aamir claims he cannot compete with engineering graduates from Delhi and that posts advertised in J&K are attracting those settling in Jammu. He insists it's true.

The fate of Article 370 has appeared sealed over the last five years. But along the highways and in cities and towns of Kashmir, there is no dearth of those who claim that "protection of jobs and land exist in many states like Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand".

There are sharp concerns about the cultural dimensions of existence sans the special status but people are also eagerly hoping that a new govt will help the youth stand on their feet.

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Amid discussions over the fate of National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, Mohd Sultan, who heads a 'transport union' in Ganderbal, said, "The job scene is bad. Educated are without work. And, prices are high. Life is very difficult."

Desperate for an elected govt for the last six years and facing routine difficulties, people in villages and towns alike are waiting for the installation of local MLAs whom they can approach with their problems. It will be interesting to see what MLAs, ministers and govt would face post October 8, given the mounting grievances over jobs, electricity, roads, jailed youth, schools etc.

"We want our govt and MLAs. That is the reason why voting will be high," said Sultan, seconded by Abdul Qadar and Mohd Yaseen. It is a view expressed by Mohd Saleem in Bijbehara and Tahir in Srinagar. High voting in Kashmir has a reason, and it is the desperation for an open door of an elected representative where residents can go and plead with hope, and leave with optimism, true or misplaced. Aamir said he appeared for panchayat assistant exam that was clouded by paper leak allegations and for engineer's post by the Service Selection Board in 2023 which he did not pass.

"I worked as a delivery boy for one and a half years and saved Rs 60,000 to start this shop," Aamir said, carrying a tray of fresh pastries.

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Call it the swelling pride of a trier, or wrenching regret of a failure.

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