“He Has Demolished Their Careers”: How the KAS Row Turned Into Kashmir’s New Political Flashpoint
By: Javid Amin | 07 December 2025
The political landscape of Jammu & Kashmir has always been layered, complex, and emotionally charged. But every few years, an issue arises that cuts beyond party lines and ideological identities—touching the deepest nerve in Kashmiri society: youth futures.
The latest flashpoint is the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) recruitment row, a controversy that has pushed thousands of aspirants into uncertainty and provoked widespread public anger. What began as allegations of irregularities in the examination process has now escalated into a full-blown political showdown—one that has dragged former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone into a fierce exchange of accusations, statements, and counter-narratives.
Lone’s now-viral accusation—that Omar has “demolished the careers” of aspirants—has ignited Kashmir’s political arena. It has resurrected uncomfortable questions about governance, accountability, and the long-standing crisis of opportunity among educated Kashmiri youth.
Yet beyond the headline-grabbing quotes, this dispute signals something deeper: a growing disillusionment that threatens to redefine Kashmir’s political mood.
The KAS Row — Understanding the Crisis at the Heart of the Storm
Long before the current controversy erupted into political mudslinging, the KAS recruitment process had been under pressure. Aspirants across the Valley have repeatedly flagged problems—ranging from delayed exam calendars to questionable evaluation methods.
01. What Exactly Is the KAS Row About?
The Kashmir Administrative Service exam is not just another government test. It is, for many young Kashmiris, the narrow gateway to stability, dignity, and a secure future. Each examination cycle attracts thousands of graduates dreaming of entering the civil services.
The current row emerged from:
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Alleged irregularities in evaluation
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Communication lapses from the recruiting authorities
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Delays in publishing results
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Contradictory notifications
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Unexplained revisions
These might seem administrative in nature, but for aspirants who spend years preparing, every delay reshapes life plans—careers, age limits, and livelihoods.
02. The Human Cost: Dreams Halted, Futures Paused
Behind every exam notification lies a deeply personal story. Many aspirants had already crossed or were nearing the upper age limit, making this cycle a make-or-break moment.
Parents borrowed money for coaching. Students quit private jobs to prepare full-time. Several candidates had appeared multiple times, hoping this attempt would finally break their cycle of uncertainty.
The allegations—unverified, unexplained, and unaddressed—felt like a direct assault on their dreams.
This sentiment is the fertile ground upon which Sajad Lone’s criticism has now taken root.
Sajad Lone’s Political Strike — “You Have Demolished Their Careers”
01. The Accusation That Ignited the Debate
In a blistering critique that quickly spread across social platforms and newsrooms, Sajad Lone accused Omar Abdullah of overseeing a recruitment process that has “demolished the careers” of hardworking aspirants.
By framing the issue not as an administrative mishap but a systemic failure, Lone positioned himself as the voice of betrayed youth.
His remarks carried a punch because they aligned with public sentiment:
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Exams delayed.
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Results contested.
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Aspirants left in limbo.
02. Why Lone’s Words Hit a Nerve
Because this was not just about bureaucracy. It was about dignity.
In Kashmir, where unemployment among educated youth is among the highest in India, government examinations carry immense psychological weight. To suggest that a government—any government—has “demolished” youth careers is to strike at the heart of public frustration.
03. Lone’s Demand: A Written Clarification
Lone did not stop at political rhetoric. He demanded a written explanation from Omar Abdullah, challenging him to publicly account for:
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The handling of the recruitment process
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The communication failures
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The so-called “demolition drives” metaphorically tied to youth futures
This was both a political move and a calculated appeal to youth emotions.
Omar Abdullah’s Statehood Remarks — The Spark That Added Fuel
01. Omar’s Comment That Triggered Anger
In a separate political debate, Omar Abdullah argued that attacks like the Pahalgam incident or the Delhi blast would not happen if statehood were restored, suggesting that an elected government would better handle law and order.
On the surface, this was a political argument. But for Lone, it was an opening.
02. Lone’s Counter: “Statehood Is a Right, Not a Trophy for Good Behavior”
Lone accused Omar of reducing the statehood demand to a childish bargaining chip—something dependent on law and order incidents rather than constitutional rights.
By linking this critique to the KAS row, Lone effectively painted Omar as:
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Emotionally disconnected from youth realities
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More invested in symbolic politics than governance
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Dismissive of aspirants suffering under administrative chaos
03. How These Two Issues Became One Narrative
Individually, the KAS row and the statehood comment are separate topics.
But politics in Kashmir is narrative-driven.
Lone fused them into a single storyline:
Omar’s leadership—past and present—cannot be trusted with youth futures or statehood aspirations.
The Youth Angle — Why Kashmir’s Aspirants Are at Breaking Point
01. Kashmir’s Youth Crisis Is Not New — But It Is Deepening
Government job aspirations in Kashmir have become more than ambition. They are a survival strategy in a region where:
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The private sector is underdeveloped
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Tourism and crafts provide seasonal income
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Political turmoil restricts business growth
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Over-qualification is common
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Marriage prospects, family expectations, and social respect often hinge on stable employment
This makes exam controversies particularly explosive.
02. PDP’s Youth Meet: Echoes of Despair
Recently, at a youth conclave organized by the People’s Democratic Party, several young Kashmiris narrated stories of:
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Repeated harassment
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Examinations cancelled at the last minute
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Anxiety and depression due to competitive uncertainty
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A sense of being abandoned by institutions
These accounts made it clear: the KAS row is not isolated. It is part of a pattern of systemic disillusionment.
03. Why Lone’s Statement Resounds with the Youth
Because he is voicing what many aspirants whisper in private:
“We spend our youth preparing for exams that never come, or never conclude fairly.”
Lone’s political positioning taps into this emotional reservoir—making his attack on Omar more than mere political theatre.
A Deeper Rivalry — PC vs NC and the Battle for Youth Sentiment
01. The Old Rivalry Renewed
The National Conference and Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference have long been competitors, but this confrontation marks a new chapter.
The stakes now involve:
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Youth trust
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Credibility on governance
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The narrative on statehood
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The ability to respond to real-world grievances
02. Why the KAS Row Is Politically Dangerous for Omar Abdullah
Because it resonates on two levels:
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Emotional: aspirants feel betrayed.
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Historical: Omar’s governance record is being re-evaluated through today’s administrative failures.
This duality allows his rivals to revive old criticisms with new evidence.
03. Lone’s Strategy: Becoming the Youth Champion
By aggressively attacking Omar on youth-centric issues, Lone is crafting an image of someone who:
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Understands youth pain
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Speaks their language
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Takes bureaucratic injustice personally
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Challenges systems that delay or distort young dreams
This is politically potent in a region where 60% of the population is under 35.
