DUSTBIN (The Voices in the Dustbin)

The Voices in the Dustbin: Talented Youth of Jammu and Kashmir is a land where breath-taking beauty coexists with deep-rooted struggles. Every mountain, every valley, and every street echoes the untold stories of resilience, dreams, and disappointments. Among its greatest treasures is its educated youth—a generation of immense potential, yet one that often finds itself lost in a maze of systemic failures, political indifference, and economic stagnation.

“Du Namath Pass”: A Legacy of Crisis and Resilience in Kashmir

In 1992, Kashmir experienced intense turmoil and militancy, leaving a profound impact on its educational and social landscape. During this turbulent period, the region’s education system faced unprecedented challenges, prompting a unique decision regarding the matriculation examinations for Class 10 students. To ensure their academic progression amid the chaos, authorities decided to award passing marks to all students in that year’s matriculation exams. In Kashmiri, this cohort is often referred to as the “Du Namath Pass,” a term that has since become synonymous with that batch of students.

This decision, though necessary under the circumstances, had long-lasting repercussions. Many students labeled as “Du Namath Pass” had their academic records marked by this period of crisis, regardless of their actual merit or performance. Given the urgency of the situation, the government absorbed thousands of these individuals into various departments, offering them employment opportunities without the usual competitive selection process.

While this move provided much-needed stability and job security to many families during uncertain times, it also attracted criticism. Some argue that it led to the recruitment of individuals who were not adequately prepared for their roles, affecting the efficiency of government operations. Despite these concerns, many of these individuals have continued to serve in their positions for decades, contributing to the functioning of the governmental framework.

The legacy of the "Du Namath Pass” batch serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between education, employment, and governance in times of crisis. While the immediate goal was to support the youth and their families, the broader implications of bypassing conventional merit-based processes highlight the challenges faced by societies in conflict zones. As Kashmir continues to evolve, the experiences of those who lived through 1992 remain a crucial part of its history, offering lessons on resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of stability amid adversity.

Untapped Talent in the Midst of Adversity

Jammu and Kashmir have long been recognized as a region brimming with talent. From academic excellence in institutions like Kashmir University and Jammu University to artistic and cultural finesse woven into its heritage, the youth possess remarkable capabilities. Yet, this talent remains largely untapped due to multiple systemic roadblocks—corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and favoritism—that suppress merit in favor of political allegiance.

A glaring example of mismanagement is the Rehber-e-Taleem (RT) scheme, which was initially launched to provide temporary teaching jobs but later absorbed 40,000 teachers under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) without strategic planning. These educators, hired under contractual conditions, struggled for years with uncertainty, inadequate wages, and delayed regularization. While meant to address educational gaps, it instead became a symbol of policy failure, turning qualified individuals into underpaid, overburdened professionals with no clear future.

One of the biggest betrayals of meritocracy came with the absorption of “FAT” (Faulty Appointed Teachers) teachers under a false pretext. During the 1990s, when militancy forced the migration of Kashmiri Pandit teachers and professionals, a significant number of their vacancies were expected to be filled by qualified candidates through a transparent recruitment process.

However, instead of merit-based hiring, many unqualified individuals with political or bureaucratic connections were absorbed into the education system under the label of “FAT” teachers. These appointments were neither merit-based nor intended to address the real educational vacuum left by the migration. Instead, they created a culture of mediocrity, where many deserving candidates were left unemployed while the system was burdened with inefficient educators.

This historic injustice continues to haunt thousands of aspiring teachers, many of whom remain unemployed despite their qualifications, watching as underqualified individuals occupy positions they had rightfully earned.

Historical Struggles and Their Consequences

The region’s turbulent past has played a significant role in shaping the current employment and education crisis. Decades of insurgency, political turmoil, and displacement—such as the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s—have left lasting scars on the education system.

One of the biggest setbacks was the prolonged recruitment freeze in government sectors. At various times, hiring was halted for years, leading to what can only be described as lost generations—youth who aged out of eligibility before they ever had a chance to apply for government jobs.

In institutions where recruitment did take place, merit was often compromised. Instances of ‘FAT’ teachers and politically motivated appointments have fueled a deep distrust among the educated youth. Instead of rewarding talent, the system favored nepotism, leaving many deserving candidates without jobs.

The lack of a robust private sector has further exacerbated the crisis. Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial landscape remains weak, with businesses struggling against geopolitical instability, bureaucratic red tape, and poor infrastructure.

The apple Industry, for instance, is one of the backbone sectors of Kashmir’s economy, yet it remains underdeveloped due to a lack of government-backed mega storage projects. Apple growers face financial losses due to unregulated markets, inadequate cold storage facilities, and dependence on middlemen who exploit their desperation. A well-structured freezing and storage initiative at the government level could revolutionize the industry, ensuring better profits for farmers and creating thousands of jobs.

Another sector that reflects this stagnation is healthcare. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has absorbed many talented professionals, but with extremely low wages and contractual insecurity. Medical professionals in rural areas are underpaid despite their critical role in public health. The lack of incentives and career growth leads to mass resignations, brain drain, and psychological distress among health workers.

Psychological Consequences: Suicide and Drug Addiction

The consequences of prolonged unemployment and financial uncertainty extend beyond economic hardship. Many young people find themselves battling frustration, depression, and even suicidal tendencies. Cases of mental health disorders are rising, with financial struggles being a major contributing factor.

In 2022, a postgraduate student from Anantnag who had repeatedly failed to secure a government job ended his life, leaving behind a note that read, “I was born in the wrong place. My degrees mean nothing here.”

A young MBA graduate from Baramulla, after being rejected multiple times for jobs that went to politically connected candidates, succumbed to depression and ended his life in 2023.A bright engineering graduate from Pulwama, unable to find employment, turned to drugs and was later found dead due to an overdose. His friends recall how his initial frustration with job rejections slowly turned into addiction, a fate that many youth in the region are facing.

The rise in drug addiction among unemployed youth is alarming. With no financial stability, no career prospects, and no mental health support, many fall into the trap of substance abuse. The easy availability of drugs in the region, especially in South Kashmir, has turned many talented young individuals into victims of heroin and opioid addiction.

A region once known for Its poets, scholars, and artists is now losing its youth to drugs and suicides—not because they lack talent, but because they lack opportunity.

A Historic Misstep: The Impact of Flawed Recruitment Practices in Jammu and Kashmir

The recruitment landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has been plagued by a series of controversial and questionable decisions, leaving the region's educated youth in a state of disillusionment and frustration. The glaring disparities in selection processes, lack of transparency, and systemic biases have severely undermined meritocracy, fostering a deep sense of injustice among aspirants.

One of the most striking examples of misgoverned recruitment is the hiring process at J&K Bank, where candidates with backgrounds as stone crushers, cable operators, and shopkeepers were allegedly prioritized over qualified graduates. This raised serious concerns about favoritism, nepotism, and political influence in the selection process, sparking widespread protests and distrust in the institution’s hiring policies.

The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) has also been embroiled in controversy for outsourcing recruitment to a company with a tarnished reputation. Reports indicate that this firm ranks among the most corrupt recruitment agencies in the country, casting serious doubts on the integrity of hiring processes. The association of JKSSB with such an entity has further exacerbated public outrage, leaving many qualified aspirants sidelined despite their academic and professional credentials.

Bureaucratic Interference in Kashmir University & Soura Medical Institute

Recruitment irregularities extend beyond banking and administrative roles, reaching academic and medical institutions. Kashmir University has faced allegations of bureaucratic interference, where merit-based selection has often been compromised in favor of politically connected candidates.

Similarly, the Soura Medical Institute has been accused of lack of transparency in hiring practices, which has fueled concerns about the competency of recruited professionals. Such practices undermine institutional credibility and discourage aspiring professionals from pursuing careers in their home region.

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), meant to bolster healthcare services in Jammu and Kashmir, has also failed to retain talented doctors due to unfair recruitment practices and lack of career stability. This has led to a mass exodus of skilled medical professionals, further weakening the already fragile healthcare infrastructure. The loss of qualified doctors and specialists deprives the region of essential healthcare services, exacerbating public health challenges.

JKPSC's Inaction Since 2016

Another shocking recruitment failure comes from the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), which has not conducted a single recruitment drive since 2016. This prolonged inaction has shattered the aspirations of thousands of candidates who had been preparing rigorously for government jobs. The absence of timely recruitments has intensified unemployment, adding to the sense of hopelessness among the region’s educated youth.

The Devastating Impact on Educated Youth

The cumulative impact of these recruitment blunders is profound. Young, educated individuals who once harbored dreams of a stable career and contributing to society now face a grim reality where qualifications seem secondary to connections and influence. This has fueled widespread frustration, unrest, and a growing sense of alienation among the youth.

The crisis demands immediate intervention and systemic reform. Recruitment processes across Jammu and Kashmir must be overhauled to ensure transparency, meritocracy, and accountability. Some key steps include:

• Independent Oversight: Establish an independent body to monitor and audit recruitment processes.

The recruitment missteps in Jammu and Kashmir highlight a deep-rooted governance failure that has jeopardized the futures of countless educated youth. If these issues remain unaddressed, the region risks further brain drain, unemployment, and socio-economic stagnation. However, by embracing reform and restoring faith in meritocracy, there is still hope for a just and prosperous future for the region’s youth. Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are not just statistics in an employment report. They are writers, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and artists whose talents remain locked away in a dustbin of mismanagement and neglect.Their voices must be heard, their potential must be recognized, and their struggles must be addressed—not with political rhetoric, but with meaningful action. The future of this region depends not on temporary fixes but on a sustainable, structured, and merit-driven approach that ensures the aspirations of its youth are no longer discarded as waste, but nurtured into reality. Only then will the dustbin of wasted potential be replaced with a thriving hub of opportunity and progress.