Rising Concerns in Kashmir Schools: Radicalization and Drug Abuse Threaten the Future of Youth

I have grown up hearing that Kashmir is not just a land of beauty but also of faith, culture, and peace. The Sufi tradition, the shrines, the Rishis – they all shaped the Valley’s identity in a unique way. But when I look at what is happening in some schools today, I feel a deep pain. The young minds, especially school-going girls, are now caught in a storm of radicalization and drugs. And believe me, this is not just a headline, it is a reality many of us have seen with our own eyes. Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are now stepping in because the future of an entire generation is at stake.
Source PTI

Security Agencies Sound Alarm

Officials in Srinagar have revealed that a worrying pattern has emerged in several private schools of the Valley. It’s not just about education anymore—it’s about ideologies being quietly planted in classrooms. Some of these schools and unofficial madrassas are allegedly allowing extremist clerics to influence young students, especially girls, who are being pulled towards rigid interpretations of religion. The centuries-old Sufi tradition, which celebrates peace and spirituality, is now being sidelined by a wave of pan-Islamism.

Impact of Radicalization on Students

The saddest part is that this radicalisation isn’t just a political concern; it’s eating away at the innocence of children. I have seen how easily youngsters get swayed, especially when they are told to reject their own cultural practices like visiting Sufi shrines. What makes it worse is the way social media is being misused. Fake images, propaganda videos and distorted narratives are being shared to push students into believing they are victims, fuelling anger and revenge. The educational system itself feels broken, unable to give students a hopeful vision, leaving them vulnerable to extremist thought.

Growing Menace of Drugs in Schools

Parallel to radicalisation, there is another monster growing silently inside Kashmir’s schools – drug abuse. This is not just hearsay; even the police have confirmed that narcotics are spreading dangerously in private institutions. Heroin, opioids, and medical substitutes are being consumed by young students who should have been focused on books and dreams. In the last three months alone, Srinagar Police arrested nearly 97 people and registered 73 cases linked to drug trafficking. When heroin became scarce after police crackdowns, many young addicts turned to opioids. This double menace – radicalisation and drugs – is slowly breaking the backbone of Kashmir’s youth.

Fear Among Ex-Separatists and Parents

Even some ex-separatist leaders, who once had their own battles with the state, are now shaken. They fear that this wave of forced extremism from across the Line of Control will erase Kashmir’s Sufi identity forever. Parents too are deeply worried, as they see their daughters being pushed into a world where innocence is replaced with extremism and narcotics. I feel their fear because as a Kashmiri, I too believe that the Valley’s peace lies in protecting its youth.

Need for a Comprehensive Solution

Authorities strongly believe that this crisis cannot be solved by policing alone. What we need is a comprehensive solution – one that protects students from both drugs and indoctrination. Schools must return to being places of learning, not battlegrounds of ideology. There has to be a collective effort from families, communities, and the education system itself. If not, Kashmir risks losing an entire generation to a path from which it may never return.

Disclaimer: This article is written for informational and awareness purposes only. It is based on reports from official sources and reflects concerns about radicalisation and drug abuse in Kashmir schools. The intention is not to target any community, religion, or institution but to highlight a growing issue that needs urgent attention.

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