General Rawat is on the right track

More than ever, Kashmir’s young need quality education

Army chief Bipin Rawat is known to speak his mind, often inviting criticism that he has overstepped his remit. Last week, when he spoke of the school system in Kashmir as contributing to the radicalisation of students, he expectedly invited the attack a backlash. on the army At the chief forefront was the of state’s Bukhari affairs, Sure, education and Rawat who that argued could too minister in that have education, Rawat Syed been Altaf a was where little meddling he less had vocal no in expertise. the about state’s his views off using ter’s the distinct two but mark there maps, when identity is one no he of getting talks into India, the of away and negative minds one from of of the factors the students. fact state, that such to drill he as is schools the not lat- far

ralistic coexist, In normal culture but the circumstances, situation in which in regional Kashmir this can and is be national different seen as part identities and of all our efforts plu- can should than are at creating the be forefront geared confusion towards of India’s in their mainstreaming efforts minds. to fight As someone radicals the young whose and terror- rather men ists criticise in the something state, the army that he chief believes is definitely makes within his work his difficult. rights to

cerns Among education. Kashmir’s Enrolment many other in primary problems schools is one has that declined conover dipped the about years. 17%. From The 2008-09 state’s education to 2015-16, minister the enrolment should per- had haps be focusing his efforts on addressing this.

The lack of quality education and jobs has been exploited by those seeking to radicalise the young. Rawat is not wrong again when he says that the focus should not be on madrasas but on a system which imparts modern and relevant learning.

The battle for Kashmir, it is often said, can only be won through the minds and hearts of the people. Ideally, it should start with students and this is what the education minister should focus on, rather than question the motives behind the general’s message.