Opinion | The Role of Youth in Building a Peaceful J&K

The young generation has already shown what they are capable of, both during difficult times and in this new atmosphere of stability. Now the task is simple. Grow, contribute, and protect what so many people worked hard to build.
For years, I have been involved in activism and writing about the social and political developments of Jammu and Kashmir. One thing has become very clear to me. The future of peace, stability and progress in this region rests largely in the hands of its young people. Working closely with the youth here has shown me how much potential they carry. They are energetic, curious, determined and eager to create a better place to live in. History tells us that every meaningful change in the world has been led by young minds. Whether we look at it through the lens of Islamic teachings or teachings of any religion, youth is always valued as the age of strong bodies, sharp minds and focused souls. The same truth stands for Jammu and Kashmir. The young generation here has a major role in sustaining the peace that is taking root and in driving the development that is shaping this region. In the next part of this article, I will share how the youth of Jammu and Kashmir has become a powerful force for peace and how we can guide this energy in the right direction for a brighter future.
Before talking about the present role of youth in building a peaceful Jammu and Kashmir, it is important to look back at moments that show how young people here have always risen above difficult circumstances. Their stories reveal something powerful. Even when the situation around them was unstable, their minds were focused on growth, creativity and achievement. I still remember October 2005, when a boy from Downtown Srinagar, Qazi Touqeer, became a household name after winning the television show Fame Gurukul. He brought an unexpected sense of pride to Kashmiri homes at a time when the atmosphere was highly tense. Just months before his victory, on 6 April 2005, two suicide bombers attacked the Tourist Reception Centre in Srinagar. And not long after his win, another attack shook the city, this time at Budshah Chowk in October 2006, killing security personnel. Yet in the middle of fear, a Kashmiri youth stood on a national stage celebrating art, not conflict.

Another story comes from Bandipora. Tajamul Islam, a young girl with unimaginable grit, won the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy on November 9, 2016. Kashmir was going through intense street unrest that year following the killing of Burhan Wani only a few months earlier. Yet this child walked into the world arena, fought with determination, and brought home a gold medal. The same society that was exhausted with violence applauded her with pride. These are not just stories of individual success. They reflect the mindset of an entire generation. A Kashmiri youth has always looked toward peace, success and dignity, even when the environment around them offered little support. Whenever they got a chance, they chose growth over anger, talent over turmoil and progress over distractions. What this really tells us is simple. The desire for peace in Jammu and Kashmir has always lived inside its youth. It only needed space to breathe, opportunities to grow and platforms to express itself.
The success stories I mentioned earlier belong to a time when Kashmir was burning and peace felt almost impossible. What they proved, without needing long speeches, was that young people in this region never rejected peace. They were simply never given an environment to live it. Fast forward to the present, especially after 2019, we can see how a different atmosphere has been created through the efforts of the government, security forces and most importantly the people who chose stability over chaos. This shift again shows that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir were always prepared to receive peace, they only needed space to participate in it. In today’s environment, the responsibility on young people is even greater. It is no longer about proving that they can rise above instability, it is about building something meaningful in the presence of peace. A clear example of this responsibility being accepted was visible during the recent elections, both Lok Sabha and the UT Assembly. The level of youth engagement was unlike anything the region had seen before. Young men and women, many of whom had never voted earlier, were standing in queues, debating issues, running campaigns, volunteering and making sure their voice counted. It showed a generation that wanted a say in its future instead of being mere spectators.
As someone who belongs to this generation, I can say that our interest today goes far beyond politics or protests. We are searching for platforms to create, build and contribute. The surge of entrepreneurship schemes and skill programs across Jammu and Kashmir has given us exactly that space. The most encouraging part is that these opportunities are designed with youth as the primary beneficiaries. When young people start businesses, take part in governance, learn skills and build stable careers, they don’t just grow individually. They become carriers of peace, because peace becomes useful to them, not just emotional. What this really shows is that today’s youth is not waiting for change, they are willing to be the change. And when a generation starts building instead of merely reacting, peace becomes a habit, not a temporary achievement.
Now that peace has started taking root in Jammu and Kashmir, the real question is what comes next and who carries this journey forward. The answer again lies with the youth. If the past demanded resilience, the present demands responsibility. Peace is not just something to celebrate, it is something to protect, strengthen and convert into opportunities for everyone. The first responsibility of young people today is to make sure that peace is not taken for granted. It is easy to slip back into old habits of anger, misinformation and reaction. What really matters now is choosing patience over provocation and facts over rumours. Even a small irresponsible act, a careless social media post or a mindset driven by hate can undo years of progress. A peaceful society needs informed minds, not noisy ones.
Another responsibility lies in skill building and economic contribution. A peaceful region cannot run on peace alone. It needs jobs, innovation, entrepreneurship and strong professions. When a young person starts a business, teaches, practices medicine, builds infrastructure, becomes an officer or engages in community work, they indirectly protect peace. Progress gives peace a reason to stay. Youth also carry a social responsibility. Kashmir has a long history of suffering, so healing is not just physical, it is emotional and social. This generation can build bridges between different communities, celebrate each other’s achievements, and replace divisions with dignity. A simple act of respect can do more good than a thousand speeches.
Lastly, young people must realise that leading a peaceful life does not mean being silent or indifferent. It means engaging with the system in a constructive way. Questioning policies with logic, not anger. Raising issues without destroying what we already have. Bringing solutions instead of only pointing to problems. Real leadership comes from participation, not provocation. If today’s youth can protect peace through responsibility, build progress through skills and strengthen society through empathy, then Jammu and Kashmir will not just remain peaceful, it will grow. And a growing Kashmir is the real answer to every painful chapter of its past.
Peace in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer a distant hope, it is a reality that needs nurturing. The young generation has already shown what they are capable of, both during difficult times and in this new atmosphere of stability. Now the task is simple. Grow, contribute, and protect what so many people worked hard to build. If the youth choose responsibility over reaction and creation over conflict, then the future of this region will speak for itself.
The author can be reached at syedjahanzeeb2@gmail.com