On Party Office Inaugural Day In Bandipora, Naeem Akhtar Faces Online Backlash
Teachers, citizens recall “humiliation” and “neglect” during his tenure as minister; Social Media erupts over “failed education reforms.”
Bandipora, Oct 21: Former minister and Peoples Democratic Party senior leader Naeem Akhtar faced sharp criticism on social media on Tuesday as he announced his entry in politics in Bandipora.
The backlash comes amid public resentment over his previous tenure in the PDP-BJP coalition government, where he served as Education and R&B Minister, with people accusing him of disrespecting teachers and misbehaving with visitors.
Netizens recalled several instances and their personal experiences they encountered during his tenure as minister, reminding him of his ill-treatment he meted out to everyone.
Several social media users reacted sharply to Naeem Akhtar’s political reappearance in Bandipora, recalling his controversial tenure as Education Minister.
A social media user, Mohammad Iqbal Baba alleged that after coming to power, Akhtar “ruined the higher education sector in Jammu and Kashmir” and “snatched the livelihoods of hundreds of temporary lecturers.”
The former minister faced the online heat on Tuesday after he inaugurated a newly established party office in Bandipora. Soon after inaugurating the office, Akhtar spoke to media persons, stating that nobody from Bandipora approached him regarding developmental and other issues when he was the minister.
A social media user, Mir Mukhtar Ahmad accused him of “justifying every wrong policy imposed on Kashmiris,” saying Akhtar “supported VAT, GST, and NEET, and even pushed for disengaging Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers,” calling him “a man without a brain who became minister without contesting elections.”
Another user, Rather Farooq-claiming to have worked in the education department-recalled, “I remember the days when you humiliated teachers and appointed us as night watchmen. You never respected the teaching community — something we will never forget. You are an outdated, so-called politician.”
Mohammad Azhan, another user, said “He ruined the education system, replaced annual exams with a semester system, and extended graduation from 3 years to 4 years.”
Responding to Akhtar’s remarks that no one came to him with any developmental project of Bandipora, a netizen Mohammad Inaam Sheikh said, “Many delegations from Bandipora came to meet him, but he was never available. What will he do for Bandipora now? He did nothing back then when he had full powers.”
Another netizen named, Rah-e-Haq: “A delegation went to his residence for multiple projects, but his security didn’t allow entry.”
Bilal Mir quoted an officer saying, “He (Naeem Akthar) rejected suggestions for improving Bandipora–Srinagar road, saying, ‘Bandipora doesn’t need a better road; it’s fine the way it is.”
Masroor Saraf, another social media user, said; “…Bandipora will never vote for him. He humiliated teachers as a * education minister.”
Sheikh Sheeraz Bin Sana said, “Re-entry is welcome, but what were his contributions? We still don’t have a Women’s Degree College, and roads remain poor.”
Another social media user, A.M. Bhat: “Voting for him is equivalent to committing suicide. His immoral behaviour is countless.”
Mir Mohsin: “He destroyed the education system. Now it’s Bandipora’s turn, but we won’t let him ruin it further.”
Netizens also recalled his introduction of the semester-based system in colleges, criticising it as impractical given Kashmir’s frequent unrests and long winter breaks, which disrupted syllabi and delayed exams.
Naeem Akhtar, who served as Education and R&B Minister during the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, faced widespread criticism for several of his policies.
Notably, Akhtar was the first to propose the introduction of teacher eligibility examination in the erstwhile state besides introduction of a semester-based system, particularly in colleges taking 3 years graduation degree completion time to 4 years.
His public remarks targeting teachers—labeling them “non-performers” or “politicised”—further fueled anger and criticism from teaching communities and unions. Teachers also accused him of arbitrary transfers and administrative overreach, creating insecurity and frustration. His public remarks branding teachers as “non-performers” or “politicised,” along with introducing teacher examinations, added to the controversy.
Comments are closed.