The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on Thursday, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to reconsider the decision to deny government jobs to families of stone pelters in Kashmir. In a statement, National Convenor of the association, Nasir Khuehami, said that they believe this decision, instead of alleviating the prevailing issues, will exacerbate the problem.
He emphasized that at this crucial juncture, what is paramount is rehabilitation and fostering unity, rather than discord and estrangement. “We humbly urge that holding families responsible for the actions of individuals engaged in unlawful activities is unjustifiable. Punishing innocent family members for the crimes of their kin is not only ethically questionable but also counterproductive to the goal of fostering harmony and inclusivity. Such a policy will keep Kashmiris away from opportunities that are crucial for their personal and professional growth,” he said.
Khuehami stressed the importance of upholding fundamental principles of criminal jurisprudence, which dictate that no individual should be punished for the offences committed by another. “While we acknowledge the need for stringent measures against those directly involved in unlawful activities, it is imperative to ensure that the repercussions do not unfairly extend to innocent relatives, such as siblings, who lead law-abiding lives,” he said.
He asserted that imposing such a blanket ban on their career prospects would create unnecessary impediments and hinder their positive transformation into contributing members of society. “We need to encourage and support their transition into the mainstream rather than punish them for their past mistakes. This policy risks pushing them back into a cycle of alienation and resentment. We urge a reconsideration of the decision to collectively penalize innocent family members of militants and stone pelters, as this will only serve to further alienate the youth of Kashmir,” he added.
Khuehami advocated for the recognition and appreciation of positive transformation, especially in cases where individuals have forsaken past mistakes and are now contributing positively to society. “At this critical juncture, we need rehabilitation, not discord. We need rapprochement, not estrangement. We should not only welcome those who are ready to return to the mainstream but also create pathways for those who will choose this path in the future,” he said.
In alignment with the constitutional values of our country, which appreciate positive reformation, Khuehami urged that policies withholding government jobs or passport clearance from youth involved in past law and order incidents should not impede those who have demonstrably reformed. “The youth and student community, being the pillars of our future, must be valued and supported to ensure the betterment of Kashmir,” he added.
Khuehami requested Home Minister Amit Shah, on humanitarian grounds, to reconsider any policy that aims to deny government jobs and employment clearance to youth whose family members have been involved in law-and-order incidents, including stone pelting cases. “We believe that by fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for rehabilitation, we can pave the way for a more harmonious and prosperous future for Jammu and Kashmir,” he concluded.
