JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticised what he described as the growing use of “Gen Z” as a form of threat in response to perceived slights, warning that such rhetoric could damage the goodwill associated with the younger generation.
Reacting to a social media post claiming that members of Gen Z would not tolerate alleged mistreatment of Kashmiris and tourists, Abdullah said the phrase “we are Gen Z” was increasingly being used in an intimidating manner.
“This ‘we are Gen Z’ has become the new ‘jaantay nahin ho mera baap kaun hai’,” Abdullah said in a social media post.
He said invoking an entire generation as a threat whenever someone feels slighted was counterproductive and could weaken the positive perception associated with Gen Z.
“The quickest way to erode any Gen Z goodwill is to start using it as a threat at the slightest perceived affront,” the Chief Minister said.
His remarks came in response to a social media post that included a video showing a woman at what appeared to be a tourist location, where she was seen arguing with officials over a blocked road.
Abdullah’s response focused on the broader trend of using generational identity as a form of entitlement or intimidation on social media.
He cautioned that repeatedly associating Gen Z with confrontational behaviour could undermine the image of young people and turn what is otherwise seen as a positive generational identity into a source of unnecessary conflict.
The comments come amid continuing public debate over the treatment of tourists and visitors in Jammu and Kashmir, where tourism remains a key sector of the local economy.
