2 weeks ago
Omar Abdullah Says Gen Z Threats Could Erode Goodwill
A tourist was stopped at a checkpoint near Kargil and said she had waited for about five hours.
She became angry because she believed officials had been allowed to pass while tourists were held back.
In a video, she said, “We are Gen Z,” and asked other travelers whether they would protest.
Some people in the crowd supported her, while others criticized her behavior in a sensitive area.
Police sources said the road was temporarily restricted because officials were traveling through the area after bad weather affected their plans.
Omar Abdullah said using Gen Z as a threat could make people less supportive of young people.
The Army said its personnel were not responsible for running the checkpoint.
Reports differed on whether the woman blocked an Army convoy during the protest.
A female tourist confronted personnel at the Minimarg checkpoint after reportedly waiting about five hours.
She questioned why officials, including a minister, had apparently been allowed to pass while tourists were stopped.
Police sources linked the July 25 restrictions to official movement along the Zojila-Gumri route after bad weather disrupted planned air travel.
Omar Abdullah said using “We are Gen Z” as a threat could damage public goodwill toward the generation.
The Indian Army said the checkpoint was operated by police and was unrelated to the Army, although one report said the woman also blocked an Army convoy.
- Who
- A female tourist, other travelers, local police personnel, Omar Abdullah, and the Indian Army are central to the reports.
- What
- A tourist protested a prolonged checkpoint delay, prompting Omar Abdullah to criticize her use of “We are Gen Z” as a threat.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the Minimarg checkpoint in Dras, Kargil, in the Ladakh region, along the Minimarg-Zoji La-Sonamarg and Zojila-Gumri routes.
- When
- Police sources said the incident occurred on July 25; the video surfaced on social media on August 19, according to one report.
- Why
- Police sources said temporary traffic restrictions were imposed for official movement after bad weather disrupted planned air travel.
Tourist and Supporters
Officials and Security Critics
Lengthy delay
Tourist and Supporters
The tourist said travelers had waited about five hours, that the gate was locked, and that no one was available to provide accountability.
Officials and Security Critics
Police sources said temporary restrictions were imposed while officials traveled through the area after bad weather affected planned air travel.
Unequal treatment
Tourist and Supporters
The tourist questioned why a minister and other officials had apparently been allowed to leave while ordinary tourists were stopped.
Officials and Security Critics
The reports describe the restrictions as connected to official movement and security concerns, but do not provide a detailed official response to her allegation of unequal treatment.
Conduct in a sensitive area
Tourist and Supporters
Several tourists reportedly cheered or supported her objections, and some social-media users said she was standing up for ordinary travelers.
Officials and Security Critics
Critics said she should not obstruct security movements or demand unrestricted access in a sensitive border area; one report said she did not allow an Army convoy to proceed, while the Army said the checkpoint itself was unrelated to the Army.
Use of Gen Z identity
Tourist and Supporters
The woman used “We are Gen Z” while objecting to the delay and encouraging other travelers to protest.
Officials and Security Critics
Omar Abdullah said using the phrase as a threat at a perceived affront could erode goodwill toward Gen Z.
Key facts
- Checkpoint
- Minimarg checkpoint in Dras, Kargil
- Reported incident date
- July 25, according to police sources cited in the reports
- Reported delay
- The tourist said travelers had waited about five hours
- Traffic restrictions
- Temporary restrictions were imposed along the Zojila-Gumri route during official movement
- Omar Abdullah’s response
- He compared “We are Gen Z” with “jaantay nahin ho mera baap kaun hai,” a phrase associated with privilege or entitlement
- Viral video
- One report said the video was uploaded on August 19 at 9:10 AM and received more than one million views on X
- Army clarification
- The Indian Army said the checkpoint was operated by police and had no connection to the incident
Quotes
Female tourist protester
Tourist woman protesting at a checkpoint
“We pay from our pockets to visit and they are doing this to us. Earlier they used to do this to Kashmiris (only), now they are doing it with tourists as well.”
theprint.in
“We are Gen Z and we are not going to tolerate this.”
theprint.in
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
“This ‘we are Gen Z’ has become the new ‘jaantay nahin ho mera baap kaun hai’. The quickest way to erode any Gen Z goodwill is to start using it as a threat at the slightest perceived affront.”
theprint.in
livemint.com
NDTV
wionews.com
“We are Gen Z. We will not tolerate this.”
NDTV
Sources
J-K CM Omar warns against using ‘Gen Z’ as a threat
‘Mera baap kaun hai’: Omar Abdullah says Gen Z goodwill is at stake, reacts to viral video
GenZ Omar Abdullah Jammu Kashmir Kargil "We Are Gen Z" Is New "Jaanta Nahin Mera Baap Kaun Hai": Omar Abdullah
Gen Z ‘threat’ is the new ‘jaantay nahin ho mera baap kaun hai’: Omar Abdullah reacts to viral video at Kargil checkpoint
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