Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD):Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized the central government’s policy of re-employing retired servicemen in civilian and administrative roles across the Union Territory. In a statement on Monday, she accused the government of sidelining the region’s educated youth, calling the move “unjust and discriminatory.”
“This policy reflects the government’s lack of will to empower the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mufti said. “Instead of creating fresh employment avenues for our qualified young men and women, ex-servicemen are being reappointed in key positions, pushing locals further into hopelessness.”
The PDP leader argued that such decisions not only deprive Kashmiri youth of opportunities but also contribute to the militarization of civilian spaces, eroding public trust in institutions meant to serve the people.
“This is not rehabilitation, it’s reoccupation,” she added, warning that the government’s approach risks deepening alienation and unrest in the region.
Mufti’s remarks come amid growing discontent among unemployed graduates and postgraduates in J&K, who say they are being overlooked in recruitment drives. Critics argue that while job opportunities are already scarce, the reappointment of retired personnel—many from defense backgrounds—exacerbates the crisis.
The government, however, defends the policy, citing experience and discipline as reasons for the preference. But for many in Kashmir, Mufti’s words strike a chord, resonating with a broader sentiment of exclusion and the demand for fair representation.
As unemployment continues to be one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most pressing challenges, the debate over who gets access to limited government posts is unlikely to fade anytime soon.(DD)
