Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Thursday said the microscopic presence of local youth in new selection lists to various courses in local universities is shocking and worrisome saying if the trend continues; the literacy rate among the local youth particularly females in J&K will suffer a major setback.
While interacting with scores of student delegations and higher education aspirants here at party head quarters Nawa-e-Subha, Party’s Women’s Wing President Shameema Firdous said the local students cry discrimination in higher education sector saying the sparse presence of local students to LLB admissions in CUK is a point in case.
“Ever since the state was unconstitutionally, undemocratically rescinded of its status, there has been no cessation of such measures which aim to disenfranchise the people of J&K. This particular decline represents the operational aspect of the big measures taken in August last year. But prima facie, the scanty presence of local youth in selection lists for higher studies corresponds to the larger objectives which is to deny the local youth education opportunities,” she said.
“The measures will particularly hit female students, who will find it difficult to venture out to acquire higher studies outside J&K. The discrimination will also affect the students from poorer families. How will the poor students afford to pay exorbitant capitation and monthly fees in private universities elsewhere in the country? If this rampant discrimination continues and the government on its part fails to address the inequality and discrimination, in longer run it will change the literacy scenario in J&K, and female students who aspire to go for higher studies will be at the receiving end,” she added.
The visiting delegations mostly consisted of girl students, who had come from various parts of Kashmir division. They rued discrimination in higher studies saying the local youth are being sidelined in admission lists. Women’s wing President assured the visiting delegations that she will raise their issues at appropriate forums. On the occasion Party Provincial Women’s Wing President Sabiya Qadri was also present.
