Kashmiri youth who was facing detention under PSA cracks NEET

Zubair-ul-Islam Bhat, a youth from Kupwara who recently cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination, was once under close observation by the J&K police and identified for detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows detention without trial for two years.

J&K Peoples Conference (JK) president Sajad Lone said on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) that he had intervened with the police to prevent his booking under the PSA, a law used against local youths for separatist writing or behaviour.

“A year back Zuber was all set to be booked under the PSA. The dossier was ready. His family approached me. He is a couple of years older than my children. I don’t know what happened. But I was convinced that Zubair had to be saved. I was convinced that Zubair is special and can deliver academically and move on to have an excellent career. I believed that Zubair deserves a chance,” Mr. Lone said.

Police relented

Mr. Bhat belongs to a small village, Khumriyal, in Kupwara. Mr. Lone admitted that the police were reluctant initially. “I approached the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara, who I have to say was very apprehensive. I volunteered to personally guarantee his conduct. We talked so many times over the phone and the conversation would end with disagreements... I got a call from the SSP that he too is convinced that Zubair needs to be given a chance,” Mr. Lone recalled.

Mr. Lone described Mr. Bhat’s trajectory as one that emerged from the “depths of despair a year back.” “Zuber has bounced back and will soon embark on a career in medicine,” the JKPC leader said.

He said Bhat’s story was “a story of triumph of love and compassion.” “Maybe there is a message in this story. I hope our decision makers understand that message,” he said.

Mr. Lone congratulated J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “Without the consent of the top officials, this would never have been possible. Victory in Kashmir lies in love and compassion. Let us all rejoice in Zubair’s success. It is a victory of the concepts of love and compassion,” Mr. Lone added.

Published - June 18, 2025 11:22 pm IST