Srinagar: Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister, has recently asserted that separatist sentiments are a relic of the past in Jammu and Kashmir. This claim is being challenged by experts who view it as an oversimplification and an erasure of the region’s complex realities. Observers argue that Shah’s visit to the territory and his rhetoric highlight New Delhi’s failure to address the underlying issues that fuel alienation in the disputed region.
The narrative of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir is being questioned, as reports suggest that the resignations of separatist leaders from the Hurriyat Conference are not the ideological surrenders they appear to be. Instead, these resignations are being linked to a campaign of coercion, where individuals are pressured to renounce separatist ideologies through affidavits. These documents, often obtained under duress, are presented as voluntary declarations of integration.
The tactics employed in Jammu and Kashmir are reminiscent of the measures taken after the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, where dissenters were compelled to disavow their positions. Coercion has become institutionalized, with individuals facing threats and pressure to comply with the state’s narrative. These affidavits serve as propaganda tools, both domestically and internationally, to support claims of integration.
During his visit, Shah’s speeches focused on security and combatting terrorism, rather than engaging in political dialogue. His rhetoric aligns with India’s longstanding strategy of equating dissent with terrorism and disregarding the political aspirations of Kashmiris as foreign conspiracies. The visit also coincides with increased control measures over the local population, including heightened security and surveillance.
Despite attempts at repression, resistance in Jammu and Kashmir persists in various forms. While traditional separatist mobilization has decreased, dissent has moved to digital platforms, as young Kashmiris use social media and online forums to voice their grievances. The state’s response has been further criminalization, with journalists and civil society advocates facing charges for reporting on protests and human rights issues.
Shah’s narrative of normalcy overlooks the unresolved international status of Jammu and Kashmir. The region remains a point of contention, with global bodies expressing concern over India’s actions. New Delhi’s rebranding efforts to present the region as a tourist destination cannot mask the underlying tensions and military presence.
Ultimately, the claims of integration in Jammu and Kashmir are seen as temporary fixes to ongoing issues. Experts argue that without addressing the right to self-determination and human rights abuses, the illusion of integration will unravel, as the spirit of freedom continues to simmer beneath the surface.