By Tahir Sayeed
The story of Jammu and Kashmir is a chronicle of pain, resilience, and unshakable hope. After enduring decades of conflict, bloodshed, and broken promises, the people of this land where the mountains echo silence and the rivers carry memories ,have made a conscious, collective choice: to give peace a chance.
In the chaos of the 1990s, Kashmir was gripped by violence and mistrust . Since then, successive Indian Prime Ministers, from V.P. Singh to Narendra Modi, have sought to address the “Kashmir question.” Each PM extended their own version of an olive branch.
The most seismic shift came on August 5, 2019, when the Indian government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status and bifurcating it into two Union Territories under direct central control. For many of us Kashmiris, this was not just a policy change but a betrayal of the assurances made at the time of accession in 1947—a unilateral rewriting of the region’s relationship with the Union. The move was met with anger, fear, and a deep sense of disempowerment. Yet, remarkably, the response was not violence. Instead, the people waited, watched, and, in 2024, voted.
The 2024 general elections were a turning point. For the first time in years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir participated in the democratic process with renewed vigor. Their votes were not just ballots; they were symbols of faith—in democracy, in institutions, and in a future that belongs to them.
Now, the responsibility lies with the Government of India. The ball is in Delhi’s court. This is a defining moment for the Modi government—not to serve any individual ego, but to act in the larger national interest by firmly supporting Jammu and Kashmir’s elected government.
The people have chosen peace and democracy. Now, the Government of India must choose to walk with them. If this chance slips away, it could take years to rebuild what has been lost.
This is not a moment to assert power or appease political egos. It is a rare opportunity to restore faith, to support a democratically elected government, and to nurture the fragile but blooming trust of the people. History has shown that when decisions are guided by individual egos rather than collective welfare, both the country and the state suffer.
Jammu and Kashmir is not a simple place to understand. Its story and its politics are deep and complicated.
Understanding Kashmir is not as simple as reading headlines or policy memos. It requires empathy, nuance, and a sincere desire to listen. Unfortunately, some claim expertise without understanding the heartbeat of this place.
The people of Kashmir had begun to believe that Delhi was pursuing a policy of disempowerment—imposing decisions, dismantling local institutions, and marginalizing voices. This disillusionment eroded trust. But the 2024 elections offered a flicker of hope. The people have given democracy a chance. This is a gift—a golden opportunity for the Government of India to prove that it values their choice.
The Government of India must respect the mandate of the people by ensuring that the elected government is allowed to function without undue interference. Second, it must move swiftly to restore statehood—a promise that the Prime Minister and Home Minister of India made to the people of J&K. Third, and perhaps most crucially, it must listen—truly listen—to the aspirations of the people, acknowledging that every vote cast was not just a call for better roads or jobs, but a demand for justice and dignity.
This is more than a political moment—it is a moral one. Jammu and Kashmir has suffered enough. Its wounds are deep etched into the memories of mothers who have lost sons, of children who have grown up amid curfews. The wounds are deep, but the spirit of the people is deeper. Let us not prod those wounds to create more pain. Let us tend to them with sincerity, support, and compassion.
To squander this moment would be a tragedy—not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for India as a whole. The history of Kashmir offers stark lessons: when decisions are driven by ego rather than empathy, by power rather than principle, the consequences ripple outward, leaving scars that take decades to heal.
Instead of creating problems or weakening the elected government, Delhi must show the people that their votes mean something. The government should ensure that no one interferes with the leaders chosen by the people. More than that, it should work hand in hand with them to solve problems and meet the hopes of the people. This is how trust can grow again.
This moment is a gift. Let us not waste it.
(Author is a political activist and can be reached on X @TahirSyeedK )