The Indian Army’s Sham Recruitment Drive: Exploiting Kashmiri Youth

In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Indian army recently launched a so-called recruitment drive, aimed at luring desperate, unemployed youth. However, this move is nothing but a calculated exploitation of the economic misery imposed by years of brutal military occupation.

The recruitment center in Baramulla district saw a small number of Kashmiri youth, drawn in by the severe economic conditions caused by the ongoing siege. These young people, often left with few alternatives, were eager for any opportunity. But instead of a hopeful process, they were met with disdain and aggression from Indian Army personnel.

Reports indicate that Indian soldiers not only treated the youth with open hostility but also hurled derogatory remarks against the Kashmiri people. This blatant disrespect only served to escalate tensions, triggering protests from the frustrated youth who felt further humiliated by the entire spectacle.

In an attempt to suppress dissent and defuse the protests, Indian troops responded with baton charges. The goal was clear: crush any signs of resistance while manufacturing a false narrative for media consumption. The army aimed to create the illusion of widespread support for their agenda, portraying a large turnout at the recruitment center to further the myth of Kashmir’s “integration” into India.

Critics have rightly condemned this entire episode as a manipulation of desperate circumstances. The systematic economic deprivation and educational restrictions placed on Kashmiri youth since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 have left them with few options. These “recruitment drives” are nothing more than propaganda tools designed to distort the truth and portray a compliant population, when in reality, the Kashmiri people’s resistance remains as resolute as ever.

The Indian army’s efforts to spin this as a legitimate recruitment event only highlight the lengths to which India will go to manipulate the narrative. It is an attempt to mask the harsh reality of IIOJK’s ongoing struggle for self-determination. No amount of staged events or media tricks can erase the truth: Kashmiris will never accept occupation.

This drive was not about offering genuine opportunities to the youth of IIOJK; it was about exploiting their misery for India’s political gain. The people of Kashmir have seen enough of these empty gestures. The fight for their rights continues, and no amount of propaganda will change that.