Srinagar, June 4: There has been an increase in crimes committed by juveniles as well as an alarming increase in drug addiction instances in recent months.
These troubling tendencies have raised serious questions about society’s common duties and the tremendous societal effect they have. The recent killings of a 45-year-old man by a little kid, a lady by her fiancé, and a drug addict son by his mother emphasise the urgency of the problem.
J&K alone has approximately 10 lakh drug addicts, with a significant proportion abusing cannabis, opiates, and sedatives.
Concerns have been made by activists, sociologists, medics, and religious leaders concerning the rise in crime. They feel that the rising number of drug addiction cases and adolescents involved in criminal activity is a concerning trend that must be addressed.
Dr. Yasir Hassan Rather, professor at IMHANS, told Greater Kashmir that numerous causes contribute to the surge in crimes perpetrated by youths and juveniles.
As probable factors, he listed media sensationalism, glamorization of crimes, stereotypes, and the effect of films that glorify crime and violence.
Dr. Yasir, on the other hand, emphasised the need of responsible journalism, media literacy training, and responsible filmmaking in combating these detrimental impacts.
“The adolescent years are marked by impulsiveness and high-risk behaviour, which can lead to criminal activity,” he said.
According to Dr. Yasir, if drug addiction begins at this age, it further weakens their judgement and impulse control, increasing the chance of criminal activity.
“Peer pressure, the desire for instant gratification, and a lack of moral guidance from dysfunctional families can all lead to adolescent criminality,” he added.
Aftab Rather, Professor of Sociology at Amar Singh College, told Greater Kashmir that there had been a major shift in socialisation and the society in Kashmir had changed since teens and juveniles were now committing crimes, which was unusual in Kashmir.
He attributed the rise in small crimes to societal collapse, a loss of parental attention, social media, technological usage, poverty, consumerism, and drug addiction.
“We are destroying the social fabric of society.” Family, marriage, kinship, religious leaders, and the law are not carrying out their responsibilities. We used to have strong social institutions that had a good influence on the cognitive level of the kids ten to fifteen years ago. We only had one source of socialisation and amusement, and that was family. “In recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 phase, we have given cell phones to children of all ages,” he said.
Dr. Aftab said that by using phones, people are exposed to a variety of information, get hooked to it, and prefer not to spend time with their families. “Children and adolescents used to learn norms, values, customs, traditions, and the distinction between right and wrong while spending time with their families.” This is all gone today, and there is no one to educate children in their homes,” he stated.
Another threat, according to Dr. Aftab, is drug use.
“In Kashmir, narcotics have seized the youth. They may quickly learn about various medications online and even conduct online purchases. They have a public domain. “Parental attention is critical, as is finding the right peer groups,” he says.
He said that engaging religious leaders, families, and the police, as well as raising awareness among the young, was critical to reducing crime.
Vasundhara Pathak Masoodi, former chairman of the J&K State Commission for Women, voiced great worry to Greater Kashmir over the increasing number of incidents of crimes perpetrated by minors in J&K.
She cited a number of factors that contribute to this troubling trend, such as rising drug misuse among young children, peer pressure, jealously, poverty, frustration, a lack of exposure, opportunity, and shattered homes.
“A lack of employment opportunities and the ease with which contraband can be obtained has added fuel to the fire.” The promotion of violence in films, particularly on OTT platforms, has added gasoline to the flames. The unrestrained advertising of violent material in films, OTT platforms, and other forms on the internet has conditioned young minds to believe in violence as a new cult or trend to build and flaunt one’s worth and masochism. When a juvenile engaged in drug addiction runs out of the substance, he or she is more likely to perpetrate crime and violence, and is readily exploitable to do violence on behalf of someone willing to pay for it, and in such circumstances, they even do it for peanuts,” she said.
In response to the rising number of crimes in Kashmir, Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam warned Greater Kashmir that everyone in society, including parents, religious leaders, and other stakeholders, was failing to fulfil their obligations.
“Prior to ten years, sermons were given on various topics.” Now, time has passed. I believe that religious leaders should emphasise moral ideals, decent behaviour, and other factors that promote positivism and humanism among children and minors. There is a drug problem. “Crimes happen all the time,” he remarked.
According to the Grand Mufti, religious authorities are also working on other religious issues.
“It is past time for them to understand society and educate people, particularly youth, in order to keep them from committing crimes,” he stated.
Mufti urged Mohalla committees to monitor drug addiction cases, identify drug peddlers, and socially boycott them.
He pushed for the creation of “Bait-ul-Mals” (charitable centres) in each neighbourhood and Masjid to help the poor.
More crucially, the Grand Mufti said that it was the obligation of parents to monitor their children’s activities.
“Mother is very important in raising her children. She may even begin to police her own children. However, both father and mother are now preoccupied with their own battles and issues. They do all of this in front of their children, which has a bad influence on them,” he said.
