Supreme Court says 'Education is empowerment', asks Kashmiri students to return to schools and colleges

The Supreme Court asked Kashmiri students on Friday to focus on their studies instead of throwing stones at security forces. The apex court further said that education is empowerment and students should return to schools and colleges as it will help them overcome the widespread employment in Jammu and Kashmir.

A SC bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar and including Justices DY Chandrachud and Sanjay Kisan Kaul offered to set the stage for talks between the various stakeholders in Kashmir and the Central government. However, the bench observed that talks can't continue if stone-pelting is not stopped and schools remain closed.

Ruling out talks based on secession, the bench said that talks should be done within the framework of the constitution. During the last hearing on April 10, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that it was exploring a crowd control option which is similar to rubber bullets but not as deadly as pellet guns used by security forces currently.

Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for the Center, said that the government is ready to come to the negotiating table only if the recognised parties are part of the dialogue. Rohatgi further said that J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti and PM Narendra Modi had held a meeting recently to bring peace in the valley. However, he made it clear that the government is in no mood to talk to separatist elements.