Jammu’s main roads near the agricultural university turned into a sea of placards and chants today, September 26, 2025, as members of the Jammu and Kashmir Agricultural Students Association (JKASA) staged a vocal protest, blocking traffic to demand fair exam processes and better job opportunities. The rally, starting at 11 AM outside the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-J), saw over 200 students from Jammu and rural districts like Kathua and Doda raise slogans against delays in results, paper leaks, and a lack of placements in the agriculture sector. The demonstration, peaceful but firm, disrupted traffic for two hours, drawing a quick response from police who cleared the way after talks with leaders. The students, many in their final year, say the government’s neglect of agriculture education is leaving them jobless in a field vital for the region’s economy.
The protest kicked off with a march from the university gates to the nearby highway, where students sat down with banners reading “No Fair Exams, No Future” and “Agriculture Jobs Now.” The core issues? Delayed semester exams due to flood disruptions last month, suspected paper leaks in recent tests, and a placement rate that’s dipped to under 20% for graduates. One student from Udhampur’s rural campus shared, “We study hard for soil science and crop management, but end up driving taxis because no jobs.” The floods hit agricultural fields hard, wiping out research plots and delaying fieldwork, but the university’s slow recovery has left students hanging on incomplete syllabi.
SKUAST-J, the main hub in Jammu, has been under fire for administrative bottlenecks. Vice-Chancellor Naresh Gupta met a student delegation after the rally, promising exam rescheduling by mid-October and a placement drive with local farms and companies. Gupta said, “We’re committed to their success – the floods set us back, but we’re catching up.” But students aren’t convinced, pointing to a 2024 placement fair that promised 500 jobs but delivered only 50. Rural campuses in Kathua and Doda face worse – labs damaged, teachers on leave, and no internet for online classes. The association demands a special committee to probe leaks and Rs 50 crore for infrastructure, tying it to the National Education Policy’s push for practical learning.
The rally’s timing, during Navratri, added to its visibility – students blended protest with prayers at a nearby temple, calling for “blessings for fair play.” Traffic police, led by SSP Yougal Manhas, managed the blockade without arrests, but warned of stricter measures if it repeats. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted support for the students, saying, “Agriculture is J&K’s backbone – we’ll address your concerns.”
BJP’s Jugal Kishore Sharma blamed the NC government for “neglecting youth,” urging immediate action.
For Jammu’s agricultural students, this is about more than exams – it’s survival in a sector employing 60% of the population. The floods destroyed crops and research, but the real damage is the lack of jobs, with graduates turning to unrelated work. The association plans a follow-up meet with the education minister next week.