J&K students meet Rahul Gandhi, highlight ‘discrimination’

Srinagar, August 22

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A delegation from the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association, accompanied by youth and students from various colleges and universities of the UT, on Thursday called on the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Srinagar.

A statement issued by the association said one-on-one interaction with the LoP focused on a range of student centric issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

The delegation highlighted the persistent harassment and discrimination that many students from Jammu and Kashmir continue to face in different parts of the country. The students sought the LoP’s support in addressing these issues and ensuring the safety of Kashmiri students across the nation, the statement said.

The students also brought to Rahul Gandhi’s attention the difficulties faced by tribal, open merit, and minority students, particularly regarding minority scholarships and MANF Scholarship, job quotas, and recruitment drives.

They also raised concern about issues regarding the special hostel for 700 J&K students in Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. “The delegation informed the LoP that the hostel is now mostly occupied by students from other states, leaving J&K students struggling with accommodation challenges. They expressed hope that he would address the pressing issue of on-campus hostel accommodation facilities,” it said.

The students emphasised the importance of revitalizing the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), which was initiated by former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

“While the scheme has been a lifeline for many students from Jammu and Kashmir, recent setbacks have caused significant financial hardship. Many scholarship beneficiaries have not received funds for months, forcing them to explore costly alternatives,” the statement said.

The discussion also touched on the severe unemployment crisis plaguing Jammu and Kashmir.

Students, who were part of the delegation, also raised other important issues, including women’s safety in Kashmir, concerns over the Reservation Bill, the new reservation policy and its perceived unfairness to the general category, and the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Responding to the requests of students association and other students, Rahul Gandhi assured his full support to the delegation said that, he would take up their concerns in Parliament and work towards swift redressal of the issues affecting the students of Jammu and Kashmir. He will draw his attention towards the issues for its earliest redressal.

Rahul during the interaction also made a video conference call to his sister Priyanka Gandhi, during which the students who were part of the delegation interacted with the family of the Leader of the Opposition, the statement added.