The recent event at Shopian’s Government Degree College, featuring several social media content creators, has sparked widespread criticism from various sections of society, with many questioning the involvement of social media influencers in a student-focused event.
Kashmiris have expressed outrage, asking the authorities who they intend for students to be inspired by.
The controversy arises at a time when highly educated youth and research scholars in Jammu Kashmir are grappling with soaring unemployment rates, raising concerns about the message being sent to students.
Social media users voiced their disapproval, criticizing the participation of influencers. In response, Shopian Degree College issued a statement clarifying its role in the program.
The college explained that the event, titled “Shopian Free of Drugs,” was organized by the District Administration in collaboration with the NGO Cashmere Foundation and held in the college auditorium. “As an educational institution committed to social causes, we allowed the use of our auditorium as a goodwill gesture,” the statement read.
However, the college distanced itself from the event, emphasizing that it had no involvement in planning or designing the content.
“Upon understanding that the District Administration did not involve the college in designing the program or discussing its content, and only requested space for organizing the event, we distanced ourselves from the program,” the statement said.
The college also made it clear that it had no role in maintaining discipline inside the auditorium, as the event was fully managed by the District Administration. “No college staff member attended the program,” the staff confirmed.
Sources told The Kashmiriyat that students from the college did not participate in the event. “The students who participated were from the Girls Higher Secondary in Shopian and had also been charged for participation in the event,” they said.
Despite the controversy, the college insisted that its routine operations continued without disruption. “During this time, the college’s routine affairs, including classes and exams, continued as usual,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding its values, the college stated, “We remain dedicated to maintaining the integrity and values of our institution and appreciate the community’s understanding and support.”