Radicalisation in Jammu and Kashmir is driven as much by socio-economic factors as by external influences. Discuss how education and youth engagement can play a role in countering radicalisation in J&K.

Socio-economic influences include: insufficient wealth and education facilities, administration deficit, low rate of employment, communal tensions. External influences include: state and non-state propaganda, trans-border terrorism, smuggling of narcotics and arms, foreign funding. Role of education and youth engagement in countering radicalization includes: providing skills and employment opportunities to lower chances of seeking radicalization, exposing youth to ideas of unity and integrity of India, common brotherhood and instilled patriotism, enlightening them about the positive role of the state, youth engagement will reduce a sense of alienation with mainstream society, building a sense of identity as Kashmiris and Indians, incentivizing them to act as stakeholders of peace and report suspicious activity.

Providing skills and employment opportunities to lower chances of seeking radicalization, exposing youth to ideas of unity and integrity of India, common brotherhood and instilled patriotism, enlightening them about the positive role of the state, youth engagement will reduce a sense of alienation with mainstream society, building a sense of identity as Kashmiris and Indians, incentivizing them to act as stakeholders of peace and report suspicious activity.

— ADITYA PATHAK · AIR 189