J-K: Students appalled by rowdy legislators

Ruckus, shouting and tearing-off the government reports shocked and disappointed the schoolchildren, who were invited to watch the assembly debate on grants for the education department.

Holding back tears, education minister Nayeem Akhter said he regrets to have invited them (students).

"We had come to watch our leaders discussing grants for us (education). But, they were only doing politics and not interested in us. Only education minister showed concerns. It was disappointing," said Atibha Anand, 11th class student of Government girls higher secondary school, Mubarak Mandi.

The BJP-PDP government has put education on top priority area. The education minister is trying to focus more on human-resource development. About 30 students from government girls and boys higher secondary schools along with their teachers were invited.

"Omar Abdullah (ex-CM) was my hero. He is an intelligent person. Agreed, it's the job of opposition to criticise the government, but at least he should have showed concern to us. I still consider him intelligent, but he has disappointed me," said Abdul Abid Butt, 11th class student of Govt SPMR higher secondary school. The school is about 150-year-old and has been announced a model school.

The students were invited in the first Budget session of the BJP-PDP government. The education minister making an intervention during pandemonium in the assembly said, "I request Omar sahib and Rigzin Jora (leader of the Congress party), who is a product of St Stephen's College, to listen to me. What kind of message are we trying to give the students… I regret inviting them." But, Omar, sitting on the chair kept looking side-ways, while Jora continued shouting.

"We read books to succeed. But, they were tearing apart the books (audit reports). What I will learn from them? I have come from Rajouri to study here (Jammu city). It's better they come with us on the streets, where we can fight better than them," said Sanjay Singh.

The students assembled in the Central hall also posed a equation to the education minister, "Sir, why did you enter politics, if it's like this."

The National Conference, however, was unrepentant about the whole episode.

"The children are future of the nation. But, they have also seen what happens when someone makes a false promise and lies before the people," said NC MLA Devender Rana.