Today I am not writing only as a writer. I am writing as a worried citizen, as a brother, as a future father, and as a human being whose heart feels pain after seeing the changing condition of our society. Some topics are very difficult to write about because they carry emotions, fear, and responsibility. This is one of those topics.
Kashmir has always been known as Peer Waer, the land of saints, wisdom, hospitality, and respect. People from different places used to visit Kashmir and feel peace in its atmosphere. Our culture taught us dignity, humanity, and care for women. Our elders raised us with values. They taught us that daughters are blessings, not burdens. But today, when we look around, a painful question rises in our hearts: Are our daughters truly safe anymore?
Nowadays, many parents are living in silent fear. Earlier, parents used to dream proudly about educating their daughters, sending them to schools, colleges, universities, and workplaces. Today, many parents become worried even when their daughter steps outside the home. This fear is not because daughters are weak. It is because society is slowly becoming careless toward humanity and morality.
The condition is becoming painful day by day. Incidents happening around us shake the hearts of people. Writing about such incidents is not easy because every word feels heavy. But remaining silent is even more dangerous. Silence gives courage to criminals and fear to innocent people.
Today, campaigns are being started against drugs and addiction. The Government of India has launched programs like Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyan to make society free from harmful substances. These campaigns are important and necessary. But we also need to understand one important reality. Addiction is not only about cigarettes, nicotine, drugs, or injections. There is another dangerous addiction growing inside society , the addiction of immoral thinking, violence, disrespect, and cruelty.
When a person loses humanity, that becomes the biggest drug destroying society.
The problem today is not only what people consume physically. The real problem is what some people are carrying in their minds. A society becomes dangerous when people stop respecting women, children, and human dignity. A person who cannot respect a daughter, a mother, or a sister is already morally destroyed.
We are living in a time where many parents are silently suffering with fear. They worry when their daughters travel alone. They worry when they go to school. They worry when they go to work. They worry until they safely return home. Imagine the pain of a father or a mother living with such fear every single day.
Having a daughter should never feel like a burden. A daughter brings happiness, mercy, and blessings into a home. She is the pride of a family and the future of society. But unfortunately, some people have created such an atmosphere that parents are becoming emotionally disturbed about the safety of their children.
This is not the Kashmir our elders dreamed about.
Kashmir was once known for respect and spirituality. People trusted each other. Humanity was alive in the streets, markets, schools, and neighborhoods. Today, we must ask ourselves honestly: where are we heading as a society?
The painful truth is that laws alone cannot solve everything. Police alone cannot change society. Governments alone cannot rebuild morality. Every citizen has responsibility. Parents, teachers, religious scholars, writers, students, social workers, and community leaders all must stand together.
We should not react only when a tragedy happens. We should work before such incidents happen. Awareness must begin inside homes. Children should be taught respect from a young age. Boys should be taught how to honor women, how to speak respectfully, and how to behave responsibly in society.
Education is not only about degrees and jobs. Real education teaches humanity.
Today, many people speak about modern society, but true progress is not measured by buildings or technology. True progress is measured by how safe women feel while walking outside. A civilized society is one where a girl can travel, study, work, and live without fear. If we observe some countries where strict laws are implemented properly, women feel safer because criminals fear punishment. Discipline in society creates security. Respect for women is not shown only through speeches; it is shown through actions, laws, behavior, and moral upbringing.
At the same time, we should also understand one important thing clearly. The solution is not to stop girls from studying or working. The solution is not to keep daughters locked inside homes. A daughter should never lose her freedom because of the wrong actions of criminals. Instead, society must become safer for daughters.
We must create an environment where every parent feels proud, not afraid, while sending their daughter for education.
Today, social media also plays a major role in shaping society. Unfortunately, many people misuse these platforms to spread negativity, harassment, and vulgarity. Young minds are getting influenced by unhealthy content every day. We need awareness regarding responsible use of technology and social media. Families must stay connected with their children emotionally and morally.
Religious institutions, schools, colleges, and social organizations should also work together to spread awareness regarding respect, dignity, and moral values. Silence is no longer an option. If good people remain silent, bad people become stronger.
As a writer, I believe words can create awareness. Maybe one article cannot change the entire society, but it can awaken hearts. It can make people think. It can begin conversations. Sometimes one voice becomes the reason for many others to speak.
Today, through this article, I request every Kashmiri to rise above silence and indifference. Let us protect the honor, dignity, and safety of our daughters. Let us rebuild the moral values for which Kashmir was once respected across the world.
We must support law enforcement agencies and cooperate with authorities in maintaining peace and safety. At the same time, society must also correct itself from within. Every person must ask themselves: “What kind of society are we leaving behind for the next generation?”
The future of Kashmir depends not only on development, roads, or infrastructure. The real future of Kashmir depends on whether our daughters can live without fear.
A society that cannot protect its women slowly loses its humanity.
Today, I write these words with pain in my heart, but also with hope. Hope that people will understand the seriousness of the situation. Hope that humanity will rise again. Hope that Kashmir will once again become a land where every daughter feels respected, protected, and valued.
Because when daughters feel safe, society becomes peaceful. And when daughters live in fear, society begins to collapse from within.
The writer is a Teacher / Writer / Public Servent . Pulwama Tral Bathnoor
