'Quickest way to erode goodwill': J&K CM reacts to viral 'we are Gen Z' video

NEW DELHI - Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded to a viral video featuring a female tourist arguing with security personnel at a checkpoint in Kargil, stating that the phrase "we are Gen Z" could lead to a sense of entitlement if used as a threat. In his X post, Abdullah remarked, "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." The video was posted on social media on Wednesday and displayed a woman at the Minimarg checkpoint in Kargil, Ladakh, demanding explanations for the restrictions on traffic movement. The woman in the video said, "We are Gen-Z and we won't tolerate this nonsense," while questioning why tourists were subjected to the same restrictions as locals.

Police sources reported that the incident occurred on July 25 when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army chief General Dhiraj Seth traveled from Zojila-Gumri by helicopter due to bad weather, causing temporary traffic restrictions. The two officials were initially supposed to fly by air but resorted to a helicopter journey to Gumri, followed by a road trip to Kargil.

The restrictions came a day before Kargil Vijay Diwas, which honors India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War and pays tribute to soldiers who fought during Operation Vijay.