In 2014, the state of the conflict-ridden state of India changed with the inception of the new political power of the country, especially people all around the valley who were buoyant and hopeful of the new political dawn. They even sought their hopes with the contemporary political face of the country Narendra Modi.
Days passed, people of the valley recounted, had an eye on the new political dawn and then the political face of the Valley Mufti Mohammad Syed was on the go to form ties with political power which had a clear manifesto regarding Kashmir and their ideology which was not unknown at all. Alliance happened and it opened doors to the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and lets them flap their wings into the valley.
From its inception, the Modi government was known for its stiffness and hard-core decision-making and most dominantly speaking against the two dynasties—-Abdullah’s and Muftis. The people of Kashmir hailed the decisions of the Modi-lead-government but it didn’t last for long.
Kashmiris witnessed the signs of the true BJP for which they were petrified, development after development things changed significantly. Worse happened in Kashmir history when the Indian Parliament took an ugly stance to nullify the special status of the region.
It is said that a politician or a political party is more effective and powerful when they are out of power but the reality is vice-versa. During BJP’S reign, not only the people of Kashmir but those who took an oath to the Indian constitution were also put behind the bars, Journalists were intimidated in one and another way. 7 million people of the valley were left without communication, unable to talk to their loved ones residing outside the valley and the rest of the countries across the globe for 5 months. The record communication blackout in the world. Education institutions were shut and that was the nightmare Kashmiris received in return for allowing BJP to flap its wings in the region.
The agony might doesn’t end here. In 2022, the third anniversary of the special status observed across the valley and Jammu. Not only the people of Kashmir but the people of Jammu have also realized that nothing has been achieved post the abrogation of the special status. They are mourning the decision which once was rejoiced and proves that the celebration was a curtain over the decision which proved to be a disaster.
This political gimmick reminds me of the famous quote of Geoffrey Blainey, he says that “Nationalism is both a vital medicine and a dangerous drug.” This is so relatable to the situation of the ruling government and the people who are being ruled. The first part of the quote is neglected and emphasis is given on the other.
People of Kashmir are forced to prove nationalism instead the leadership should ensure that there is peace and harmony, GDP growth, better business opportunities, more employment generation, improved standard of living for people, whether it provides for better healthcare facilities for the masses, above all safety and security of women. In such a scenario, respect for nationalistic symbols comes to citizens naturally and needs no imposition.
On the 75th independence day, the movement was launched @Har Ghar Tirana” all over India. People of and off the said party hoisted tri-colors likewise in Kashmir. Teachers and government employees from all the departments were ordered to take a picture with the national flag of India-Tri-color. It was the first in Indian history when independence was celebrated in that style.
This move was not new to Kashmiris, one and another day Kashmiris were forced to hoist on Independence Day by stamping flags on their vehicles. The point here is what the present government wants by making hoisting flags a compulsion if these flags are found on the roadsides the next day.
Last but not the least, the Modi government’s other move came after the day and two of Independence Day when the election commission of India issued an order ‘allowing 2.5 million Non-Kashmiris and ordinary citizens of the Kashmir valley to cast their votes in upcoming assembly polls. Many politicians and political analysts criticized the move.
This is a clear move toward changing the demographic, and ethnicity of the indigenous population, and the people of Kashmir have decried and displayed their displeasure on various social media platforms. Rejoicing the Hindu vote bank, reshuffling Muslim administrators, and making political, and demographic changes over the last couple of years have maligned the political image of Modi lead government among Kashmiris, and once that political hopefulness has certainly changed into disgrace now.
Thoughts expressed in this article are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect the Prime Post’s stance. The writer is studying Journalism at the University of Kashmir, he often writes on politics and can be reached at @_tattler
