As frustration with elected govt grows, Jammu and Kashmir residents turn to social media for accountability

Srinagar: With an elected government in place after more than six years, people across Jammu and Kashmir are resorting to social media platforms like X and Facebook to directly connect with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for redressal of their issues.

From unemployed youths pleading for job opportunities to residents demanding better electricity supply and improved roads, citizens are urgently seeking resolutions for their long-standing issues.

As frustration mounts among the population, many have turned to online platforms to bring their concerns to the forefront. “@OmarAbdullah sir kindly take up the issue of age relaxation in #JKPSI with @OfficeOfLGJandK. Aspirants are in dilemma,” a police sub-inspector aspirant wrote in response to one of Abdullah’s X posts.

The aspirants are demanding one time relaxation by five years up to 33 years.

Another youth posted on CM’s X handle: “Dont dissappoint youth. 1 Reservation 2 Jobs 3 Exam fee (sic).”

As Abdullah and his party leaders are increasingly using social media to show their presence, people who have no physical access to them, are desperately trying to connect with them.

“We have no other option left. We have tried every traditional route, but no one listens. Maybe if the CM sees our tweets or Facebook posts, something will finally change,” said one frustrated resident from Srinagar.

However, despite the widespread outreach, a recent statement from the Chief Minister has raised doubts about the possibility of quick fixes. “We are reaching out to the people to address their concerns, but there are certain issues that cannot be resolved immediately under the UT status,” Abdullah recently told reporters.

“Some issues are inherently tied to the UT status, and to address them adequately, we need to get back statehood from the Center,” he added.

The remark has sparked skepticism among citizens, many of whom see it as a tacit admission that their demands may not be met anytime soon.

“I’ve been waiting for a job for the last one decade and during the elections, the National Conference promised that once in power it will provide one lakh jobs. However, after the CM’s recent statement, it feels like they are just passing the buck,” said Tufail Khan, an engineering graduate.

Similar sentiments are echoed by residents from various districts, who feel increasingly disillusioned with promises that seem to lead nowhere.

However, despite the growing frustration, people argue that social media has become a vital tool for holding elected governments accountable in the digital age. “While it may not guarantee immediate results, it has provided an avenue for marginalised voices to be heard,” said a netizen.

For now, as citizens continue to flood the Chief Minister’s Twitter and Facebook accounts with their demands, the question remains: Will the promises of outreach and dialogue translate into real change, or will the cycle of disappointment persist? Only time will tell.