‘We are Gen Z’ row: Army veteran offers to crowdfund Ladakh tourist’s salary for Siachen stay | Srinagar News
SRINAGAR: A retired Army officer has hit out at the female tourist whose “We are Gen-Z and we won’t tolerate this nonsense” rant at a Kargil checkpoint went viral, saying her behaviour had unfairly portrayed the younger generation and created a divide with Kashmiris.Retired Lt General DP Pandey, who served as the commander of the Kashmir-based 15 Corps, said the incident had caused “damage” that people should know about.“Don’t want to shame a lady who created scene in Ladakh. She did few damages that our country should know,” Pandey said in a post on X.Taking a swipe at the tourist’s complaint about security personnel, Pandey said the restrictions were a consequence of the security situation in the region and were not something that the government or security forces enjoyed imposing.
‘Would love to crowdfund a month’s salary’
Pandey went a step further, saying he would be willing to crowdfund a month’s salary for the tourist to serve in Siachen or at a similar location where she could deal with the challenges faced by security personnel.“Would love to crowd fund a month salary for her to serve in Siachen or at the place she created scene dealing with people like her,” he said.He also pointed out that serving and retired personnel themselves pay taxes and contribute to the system.“We, and even after retirement, are taxed. In fact first taxed and then pay comes,” Pandey said.
‘She has let down Gen Z’
Pandey criticised the tourist for invoking Gen Z while confronting security personnel.He said her conduct had negatively portrayed the generation, despite his experience of meeting young people who were “patient, polite, respectful, and well behaved”.“She has let down and framed Gen Z quite negatively,” he said.Pandey also defended the security personnel who handled the confrontation, saying the woman should acknowledge the “decent manner” in which the personnel and their superior dealt with her.He further objected to what he described as an attempt to create a divide with Kashmiris, stressing that they are “equal partner and citizens of India” and also have to undergo security checks.
What happened at the Kargil checkpoint?
The controversy erupted after a video showed the tourist arguing with security personnel at the Minimarg checkpoint in Kargil and objecting to restrictions on movement.The incident took place on July 25, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army chief General Dhiraj Seth were in the region for events linked to Kargil Vijay Diwas.Police sources said traffic along the Zojila-Gumri route was restricted to facilitate their movement after bad weather forced the two officials to travel by helicopter to Gumri and then proceed towards Kargil by road.Tourists were allowed to proceed after the VIP movement passed through the area. Police also said no case was registered against the woman.The video subsequently went viral, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also reacting to the tourist’s “We are Gen Z” remark. He said the phrase had become the new version of “jaante nahin ho mera baap kaun hai” when used as a threat over a perceived affront.
