Srinagar, May 06, KDC: Student Leader and Jammu and Kashmir Students Association National Convenor Nasir Khuehami here on Monday urged Kashmiri Students to vote wisely in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. In a statement, Khuehami criticized all three current Lok Sabha Members of Parliament for their abysmal performance and track record during their tenure as representatives of the Baramulla, Srinagar, and Anantnag Constituencies.
Khuehami highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hundreds of Students were stranded, and during the Ukraine-Russia war, hundreds were stuck. Moreover, during the abrogation of Article 370 when there was no communication for months and during the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan, hundreds faced issues and imminent danger. Despite these crises, the pleas of Kashmiri students fell on deaf ears when they approached all three current MPs of the Kashmir Valley seeking solace and intervention. Khuehami emphasized that these MPs callously ignored their pleas, leaving Kashmiri students stranded and abandoned.
“We entrusted them with our hopes in 2019, believing they would be the steadfast advocates of our rights in Parliament. Yet, these MPs failed us miserably. Instead, we found ourselves knocking on the doors of MPs from Bihar, U.P, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and other states, pleading for their assistance. Despite not being our elected representatives, they lent a sympathetic ear and took up our cause with vigor, addressing issues of intimidation, harassment, and injustice with the respective authorities. Unlike our own MPs, they delivered tangible results. Adding insult to injury, around 15 students met untimely deaths in various states and abroad. Shockingly, our own MPs couldn’t even be bothered to tweet, speak up, or raise these issues with the concerned ministries,” he said.
He asserted that, Over the past 5 years, dozens of Kashmiri students have been thrashed, booked under UAPA, some faced suspension, and dozens were expelled from university. Unfortunately, none of our sitting MPs were bothered to speak up and raise these issues in Parliament, nor did they try to intervene by taking these matters up with relevant governments and authorities. Instead, whenever we reached out to them, they never bothered to respond to calls and texts, often keeping their phones busy or hanging up the calls, he said.
“Instead, it was the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association who had to knock on the doors of the ministry, state governments, and other MPs across the country pleading for assistance. It was only through our relentless efforts & the help of different MPs that around 15 Kashmiri students, scattered across the globe in places like Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and more could be repatriated, their mortal remains facilitated back home and dozens other suspensions, UAPA and FIRs were revoked. This stark contrast in action speaks volumes about the apathy of our elected representatives and the resilience of Kashmiri students in the face of neglect and indifference,” Khuehami added.
Khuehami asked all these sitting MPs, “For God’s Sake, why should we vote for such MPs when they’ve mastered the art of parliamentary disappearing acts since 5th August, 2019? While Kashmir burned, they were busy perfecting their invisibility cloak, conveniently vanishing when their constituents needed them the most. But they will reappear like clockwork come election season, armed with empty promises and photo ops.”
“When Kashmiri students begged for help, they were met with a resounding silence, drowned out by the echoes of their MPs’ empty speeches and hollow assurances. So, why should young students vote for such MPs? Well, if you enjoy being ignored, abandoned, & left to fend for yourself while they cozy up in their ivory towers, then by all means, cast your vote. But if you’re tired of being hoodwinked by political phantoms, it’s time to send a message,” added Khuehami.
“Over the course of four and a half years, their track record reveals a disturbing pattern of incompetence. With a meager number of questions posed and a glaring absence of any inquiries on behalf of their constituency during the initial three years, there is a profound sense of neglect suffered by the Kashmiri students. The people entrusted them with the responsibility to be our voice, and they have let us down gravely. The few questions directed out of the handful raised magnified the failure of representation of their leadership. They were tasked with the solemn responsibility of being our voice; however, their failure resonates as a profound disappointment. Their attendance record of 45 percent is a stark reflection of their disinterest in fulfilling their duties as our representatives,” Khuehami emphasized.
“This blatant disregard is utterly unacceptable, particularly when considering their consistent absence from pivotal parliamentary proceedings. This neglect not only showcases a lack of commitment but also contributes to a disservice to the very people they were elected to serve,” Khuehami pointed out.
Khuehami urged Kashmiri Students to seek new leaders—ones who are not only capable but also committed to standing up for the genuine interests and well-being of the region. “It is time to unite and strive for a brighter future by seeking a more capable and committed leader who will truly stand up for the interests and well-being of the people of Kashmiri students.”
We tried to reach out to all three MPs many times with student issues, just to press them for the earliest redressal, but our pleas always fell on deaf ears. They never put any effort into solving the issues of Kashmiri students. It is time for No more disappearing acts, no more empty promises. It’s time for real representation, not spectral spectacles. Vote wisely, Kashmir. Vote for those who are determined to serve Kashmiris better, rather than those who are driven by the avarice of power,” Khuehami emphasized.
