Rabia Baji heads All India Centre for Urban and Rural Development (AICURD) and is known for her activism especially one diverted to youth.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario, she talks to Rameez Makhdoomi & Sajad Ahmad Shah.
Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) for students has faced lot of lacunas in implementation. Your group as important player in this regard. How do you view this?
The scheme was implemented soon after the killing of 114 youth in Kashmir Valley in 2010 unrest. Too many unnecessary players had entered in the implementation of this scheme since its implementation which created lot of chaos. We had told that government should physically verify the students and accordingly the Government fixed date applicable for having scholarships which was not relevant even according to Dental college and Supreme Court guidelines. After lot of efforts of my group and being in constant touch with Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) the scheme has got streamlined to a large extent.
You have been coordinating with Police for several welfare oriented programmes for youth and on other side you claim to be sensitive towards human rights issues and many officials in police are alleged of high handedness in 2008 and 2010 agitation .How do you envisage solving this dichotomy?
You are right and let me assure you that I am not in coordination with any official or any person who is alleged of involved in martyrdom of my youth be it youth of Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh or any other part. All youth are precious to my heart. Youth is our future and our betterment wellbeing depends on the condition of our youth. I am all for punishing those who are alleged of killing our youth.
Are you satisfied with performance of AICURD that you head?
You have to look that satisfaction will never come and not until death. For me everyday is new and refreshing and bring its own challenges. With the grace of Almighty Allah I am dealing with these challenges. I work with passion of working for betterment of my people and do whatever is in my hands and make best efforts for my people.
What are the main burning issues you have been able to identify that are faced by youth of Kashmir based on your interactive programmes with them?
First and foremost, the Youth of Kashmir is not satisfied with the scenario prevailing in the Kashmir Valley. Secondly Youth of Kashmir has been made so confused that they does not know what direction he or she has to follow. Thirdly, the youth of Kashmir lack economic independence as they are highly independent on others who in turn make them to speak their voices. This highly interdependence on others is hampering the intellectual growth of our youth.
You are also said to have played a role in forming Congress backed student union NSUI on the Campus of Kashmir University. Your take?
Yes, NSUI did visit my office and I helped them. Even making meetings possible between Stone-Pelters, Activists , Politicians and Interlocutors. I played a proactive role in that regard. I believe we cannot achieve the right solution of Kashmir Issue until our people play a part in this and we should have our people in all platforms that matter.
But then if pro-freedom youth visit your office to form a student union .Would you support them?
Look I am not a big fan of student politics. The students’ community should engage in politics after they complete their studies. But, Yes if one thought or party is allowed to form a Students Union than definitely other thought and party deserves the right and I support that right.