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Young social activist and advocate Barkat Kour Ratan during an interview with Dynamite News
Srinagar: Young social activist and advocate Barkat Kaur Ratan has launched a sharp attack on the traditional political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the existing political system has failed to provide adequate representation and opportunities to the region’s youth.
Ratan said that the voices of Kashmiri youth are missing from mainstream politics and that decision-making continues to remain concentrated among a few established political families. She argued that without bringing young people into positions of responsibility and leadership, the political and social development of Jammu and Kashmir will remain incomplete.
“Who is raising the voice of the Kashmiri youth? Every political party is on the same boat. Everyone is enjoying in their own chair, whereas family politics has been prevailing. Unless and until space is provided to the youth in politics, Kashmir cannot prosper,” Ratan said.
“Kashmir politics has failed its youth,” says Adv. Barkat Kour Ratan, targeting traditional political parties for ignoring young voices and promoting family-based politics. She called for greater youth participation, accountability, and a fresh direction in Jammu & Kashmir’s… pic.twitter.com/qIjrCKv2Jv
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) August 26, 2026
Questioning the performance of current political leadership, Ratan highlighted issues such as unemployment, inflation and growing socio-economic challenges faced by ordinary people in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said that people have become disappointed with repeated political promises and are looking for concrete solutions rather than only statements made during elections.
According to Ratan, the political system needs a fresh approach where young leaders are given opportunities to understand and address ground-level issues affecting people.
Speaking about National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Ratan said his electoral success was largely due to his personal connection with voters and individual support base rather than only the strength of the party organisation.
She claimed that Mehdi’s personal popularity played a significant role in his victory and added that he could continue to perform strongly based on his own public support.
Ratan also expressed concern over what she described as increasing social challenges, including issues related to crime and the changing social environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said that the social fabric of Kashmir needs attention and collective efforts are required to rebuild trust and address problems affecting communities.
“The politics of statehood has been made a mockery of. People in power make empty promises. The general masses have suffered tremendously,” she said.
Ratan said that democracy in Jammu and Kashmir needs a new beginning and that young people should not remain distant from political participation.
She accused existing political structures of limiting opportunities for emerging leaders and called upon the youth to actively participate in shaping the future of the region.
“Politics has turned into a farce. Democracy in Kashmir needs a new lease of life as the present system has failed to deliver its expected results. The Kashmiri youth needs to be given due recognition, responsibilities and position of power and authority,” she said.
Ratan urged young people in Jammu and Kashmir to challenge the existing political status quo and ensure that politics does not remain limited to a select group of leaders.
She said that greater youth participation, accountability and fresh leadership are necessary for addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region.
