Student Protests: Voices criticize Altaf Bukhari over his tough talk

Rameez Makhdoomi
Srinagar, April 21 (KNB): The state Education Minister Altaf Bukhari while talking tough to students over their constant protests on Kathua incident stated –“we gave the students a chance to vent their emotions. Students should control their emotions and now go back to their classes. Kashmir cannot afford a generation of illiterates and urged everybody to help ensure that students resume academic activities. The minister said as per government rules, there will be no compromise on attendance of students in the schools.
“I would like to tell students to stay in classes, because they would be treated as rowdies if they keep coming on roads. And if they still want to come on roads then we will close educational institutions for ever and students will be responsible for it,” he said. But his tough talk is generating criticism.



Sarah Hayat Shah, Additional Spokesperson National Conference stated – “ We need to recognize there is a political sentiment and every protest and anger sees manifestation of unresolved political issues . The need to have an effective and vibrant dialogue is the need of the hour. We also need to adopt calmer, softer and tolerant approach towards student protests as they are not demanding jobs but justice on several counts .Basically from day one when BJP and PDP knitted unholy alliance and the things are thus going from bad to worse. All the stakeholders need to apply minds and take situation towards betterment.’’
Chairman of JKLF (H), Javaid Ahmad Mir, while talking to Kashmir News Bureau stated – “The government has failed on all counts and making innocent students scapegoat for its failures. The PDP first used to make sky high promises to youth and students but has been continuously using suppressive means to scuttle their voice and not just student community all important sections of life are facing wrath of government. Students have every right to raise their voice against frequent injustices happening and also have every right to raise their voice against the gruesome Kathua Crime . Stubborn attitude and crimes against common masses will not crush the grasroot sentiment for resolution.” (KNB)