From Paradise to Peril: Unmasking Kashmir’s Moral Decline – Through My Eyes

The Moral Decline in Kashmiri Society: Causes, Consequences, and the Way Forward..

By Tajjamul Aly  :

In recent years, a deep and growing concern has emerged within Kashmiri society: the rise in moral decline, especially among the youth. We are witnessing an alarming rise in drug culture, street crimes, harassment, and even cases of rape—acts once unthinkable in the cultural and religious fabric of kashmir have now become unsettlingly common. One particularly alarming trend is the increasing consumption of alcohol, once a cultural taboo in Kashmiri society, and more importantly, it is strictly forbidden in Islam. Previously considered shameful and against both faith and tradition, it is now gradually becoming normalized among some circles, especially the youth. Though it may seem like a personal choice, alcohol consumption can become the root of many serious crimes, clouding judgment, lowering self-control, and breaking down the moral restraints that once held society together. The question is: how did we reach this point? What has gone wrong? Why is this paradise on earth losing its innocence? 

 There's no single reason for this shift_ it is a complex, layered issue. But if we examine closely, many interconnected reasons are behind this moral erosion. 

The fall of values: causes of Moral decline in Kashmiri society through my eyes 

1. Weakening Connection with Religious Teachings:

A major shift away from Islamic values has left a spiritual and ethical vacuum in many young minds. Religion, particularly Islam in the Kashmiri context, has always provided a strong moral compass. It clearly defines boundaries, teaches respect, discipline, and self-restraint. Unfortunately, as religious teachings are neglected in homes and schools alike, youth grow up without a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. Practices once considered unacceptable—like alcohol consumption, drug use, and indecent behavior are slowly becoming normalized. Islam strictly prohibits such actions, and ignoring this spiritual foundation has had devastating consequences on individual behavior and societal health.

2. Parenting Gaps and Normalization of Wrongdoing:

Parenting plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s moral compass. However, many parents today confuse love with leniency. Instead of guiding children toward righteousness and discipline, some parents justify wrong behavior by saying, “they’re young, it’s normal,” or indulge them excessively (what we often call laad). This misguided affection creates children who struggle with self-control and have little concept of limits.

Many parents themselves lack discipline and fail to be role models. Regardless of their own past, becoming a parent demands taking responsibility. A parent must be willing to reform themselves for the sake of their child’s future. If children are not taught  early on how to distinguish right from wrong, how to respect others (especially women), and to control their impulses, expecting them to grow into disciplined adults is unrealistic. Early education in values, respect, and boundaries—delivered consistently is what helps prevent moral collapse later in life.

3. Exposure to Unfiltered Content via Internet and Social Media:

With the arrival of smartphones and constant internet access, Kashmiri youth have become highly exposed to global content—much of which lacks moral filters. Social media glamorizes lifestyles that prioritize desire, appearance, and instant gratification over integrity, patience, and modesty. Without proper guidance, children absorb this content blindly, often mimicking trends that go against their own values.

4. Cultural Exposure Outside Kashmir:

Youth who go outside Kashmir for education or work often face cultures that are radically different. If they have not been raised with strong moral grounding, they quickly adopt the practices of their surroundings, even when those practices go against their own faith and heritage. And as they return home or interact with local peers, these influences slowly become normalized within society.

5. Lack of Early Discipline and Moral Training:

This is the responsibility shared by both families especially parents and teachers. Childhood is the foundation of personality. If discipline, respect, and self-restraint are not part of a child’s routine from the beginning, they become extremely difficult to develop later. A child raised with firm yet loving boundaries is more likely to grow into a responsible and morally aware adult. Conversely, a child who has never been told “no” or taught self-control becomes far more vulnerable to harmful influences in adulthood.

In today’s digital age, parenting has become more challenging than ever. It's not enough to provide comfort and education; parents must also be emotionally and morally present. They must teach children how to use the internet wisely, how to recognize manipulative content, and how to resist peer pressure. If children are taught from the start that self-control is a strength not a restriction, they will be much more resilient when facing temptations later in life.

There is a saying, "Children are great imitators—so give them something great to imitate." This highlights that advice alone isn't enough. Instilling morals should be part of daily life_ reflected in routines, behavior and environment.

6. Environment in Schools and the Failing Role of Teachers:

Schools are supposed to be spaces where a child’s character is developed and strengthened. Unfortunately, many schools in Kashmir are no longer fulfilling this noble responsibility. The environment in several institutions has deteriorated, discipline is weak, respect between students and teachers has declined, and in some unfortunate cases, boundaries have been dangerously crossed.

There have even been instances of inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, which is not only morally bankrupt but a betrayal of the trust that society places in educators. Teachers are supposed to guide, protect, and build future generations. If they themselves fail in character, what can we expect from the students they teach?

In the past, just seeing a teacher in public would make students pause and behave respectfully. There was a natural sense of awe and reverence. Today, that culture of respect is eroding. Teachers who once acted as moral guardians are now, in some cases, contributing to the decline by either failing to inspire, or worse, engaging in unethical conduct. This breakdown in the teacher-student relationship deeply affects the moral development of children, and is one of the most tragic signs of societal decay.

What Can Be Done?

It is not too late. Change begins at home _ with one child, one parent, one family. To address the growing moral crisis in society, especially among the youth, some meaningful steps must be taken:

1.Parenting with Presence and Purpose:

Children don’t just need food, clothes, and school—they need guidance, examples, and boundaries. A parent’s words mean little if their actions say otherwise. Even if a parent isn’t highly educated, their presence—gentle, firm, and consistent can shape a child’s world. Praising honesty, correcting with love, and being emotionally available are not small acts, they are seeds of moral strength.

2. Value-Based Education in Schools:

Schools must go beyond textbooks. Moral education, character-building sessions, and ethical mentoring should be part of school culture. Teachers must embody the values they teach, as students learn more from behavior than words.

3. Reclaiming the Digital Space:

Children today are growing up in a virtual world with very real consequences. Parents need to be part of that world—understanding, monitoring, and guiding their children’s online presence. Let screens not replace conversations, and let scrolling not replace real play and real values.

4. Revive Religious and Cultural Teachings:

Religious leaders and communities should make moral education accessible and practical for youth. When religious values are taught with understanding and compassion, they act as powerful anchors in a distracted world. Encourage spritual connection_whether through prayers, stories or act of kindness, building a connection between the child and their creator plays an important role. 

5. Collective Social Awareness:

Families, schools, media, and religious platforms should work together to create a unified voice against immorality, drug use, and violence. Society must stop normalizing harmful trends and speak openly against them.

Final Thoughts

While multiple causes contribute to the decline in moral values, parenting remains the most fundamental and powerful factor as observed in the causes above, the role of parenting is connected to almost every issue. Everything else in society whether schools, communities, or even policy rests on the foundation built at home. If parents fulfill their roles with seriousness, love balanced with guidance, and a clear understanding of right and wrong, many of the issues we see today could be prevented before they begin.

However, challenges arise when parents themselves fall short_ whether due a to lack of education and awareness. In such cases, the responsibility becomes even greater for teachers and the educational system. Teachers are not just instructors of subjects they are, in many ways, co-parents of a generation. And when parents fall short, teachers must rise higher.

Even if parents lack formal education, they can still pass on intrinsic human values like honesty, humility, responsibility, and empathy. These do not require degrees; they require commitment. A simple, honest parent can build a noble character in a child if they stay aware and consistent. But when both homes and schools fail, society begins to crumble.

Ultimately, if we want a morally upright society, we must start where it all begins: at home, with parenting that is aware, disciplined, and value-driven. And when that’s not possible, we must ensure our schools and teachers are equipped to carry that moral torch, not just academically but ethically. The future of Kashmir, or any society, lies not in sermons or punishments, but in everyday moral shaping, consistent from childhood, reinforced through teenage years, and sustained into adulthood.

A better society is not built in courts or police stations—it is built in homes. It is built in how a mother teaches her child to say "Asalamualaikum", "thank you", how a father stops his son from lying, and how a family encourages its members to live with purpose and dignity.

Let’s not wait for another news headline to shake us. Let us take responsibility today, because when parents lead with awareness and love, children grow into individuals who don’t just live for themselves but uplift the whole community.