By Dr. Mushtaq Rather

Kashmir once lived by a code called Adab. It guided family life, community relations, respect for teachers, and the behaviour expected from the young. People valued restraint, manners, and mutual regard as part of everyday life. Today, that moral foundation has weakened sharply.

Many Kashmiris describe the current crisis as a clash between generations. That explanation barely scratches the surface.

The valley faces something deeper and far more dangerous: the collapse of a social ethic that once held communities together. Homes, schools, and neighbourhoods now struggle to perform the moral role they once embraced with conviction.

Older Kashmiris remember a time when elders commanded genuine regard. Young people greeted them with warmth and restraint. Families treated teachers with near-sacred esteem. Villages functioned like extended households where everyone felt responsible for the conduct of the next generation.

That culture rested on reciprocity. Elders gave affection, wisdom, and guidance. Young people returned respect and attentiveness. The relationship created balance inside families and communities alike.

Today, that balance has cracked.

The Crisis of Taste in Modern Kashmir

Modern life has pushed many families inward. The old neighbourhood culture has weakened as social life shrinks into isolated homes and glowing phone screens. Community accountability once acted as an invisible discipline. A child feared embarrassing the family before the mohalla. Parents worried about losing social standing through public misconduct. That collective pressure cultivated restraint and........

© Kashmir Observer