JAMMU, Jul 25: Mission Statehood President Sunil Dimple led a major protest rally in Jammu to highlight the escalating unemployment crisis across Jammu and Kashmir, extending his full support to student groups and agitating youth fighting for employment rights.
Addressing the gathered demonstrators, Dimple strongly criticized the government’s handling of youth affairs, alleging that educated young people in J&K are suffering from severe mental stress and uncertainty due to prolonged delays in recruitment drives and a lack of employment opportunities despite holding higher qualifications.
During the demonstration, Dimple brought attention to key stalled recruitment processes, particularly those for Police Sub-Inspectors and Naib Tehsildars, noting that candidates have been left waiting for years without written examinations or interviews being finalized.
He firmly defended the agitating students, dismissing claims labeling them as anti-national and asserting that they are nationalist, educated youth fighting legitimately for their constitutional rights. Dimple also condemned past police crackdowns on peaceful student rallies—citing the heavy-handed use of lathi charges, tear gas, and splinters during protests at Jantar Mantar and other venues, where several demonstrators and leaders were injured.
Taking aim at broader administrative policies, Dimple alleged that unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir has surged significantly following the abrogation of Article 370, asserting that promised job opportunities have largely failed to materialize. He further criticized the local administrative structure, claiming that a “double power system” has completely failed to deliver results or streamline public recruitment in the region.
Concluding his address, Dimple issued a stern warning to the administration to immediately expedite stalled selection processes and implement a financial stipend for educated unemployed youth. He demanded the implementation of the Minimum Wages Act and called for the immediate regularization and pay enhancement of daily wagers and contract staff across various public sectors—including seasonal teachers, vocational trainers, SPOs, health workers, Anganwadi staff, and Rehbar-e-Khel workers—warning that failure to act would lead to widespread, intensified agitation across Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent leaders present at the demonstration alongside Sunil Dimple included Ashok Sharma, Mohinder Kumar, Vikas Narinder Chowdhery, Baba Gupta, Roky Kapoor, Happy Kumar, Sunny, and Sanjeev Sharma, among others.