In photos: Jammu & Kashmir marks first Independence Day as Union Territory

The Independence Day parade had several key and high level dignitaries present, including NSA Ajit Doval, high court chief justice Gita Mittal and the governor's advisors.

Governor Satya Pal Malik salutes a passing contingent at the Independence Day parade at Sher-i-Kashmir stadium | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Srinagar: Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday presided over the 73rd Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, the first such event for Jammu and Kashmir since it was made a Union Territory last week.

The event was organised amid heavy security presence in the Valley following the abrogation of the former state’s special status.

Governor Malik hoisted the national flag and delivered the Independence Day speech, in which he called the Modi government’s move historic and a step forward.

“Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Balti, Sheena and other languages will have opportunity to thrive in the new set up. Various tribes and castes in the state who have not had political representation will also find proper representation,” the governor said.

In Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was the responsibility of everyone to “fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir” and help provide “new wings to their dreams”.

Restrictions, including a communication blackout that has invited severe criticism from opposition parties, remain in place in the Kashmir Valley, while the police said they have been eased in Jammu. The government says it will lift restrictions in a phased manner.

Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik inspects the guard of honour on India’s 73rd Independence Day in Srinagar | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

In his Independence Day speech, Malik said the people of Jammu & Kashmir had been deprived of economic development, peace and prosperity for the last 70 years | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

This year saw no school contingents take part in the Independence Day parade or the cultural programme that followed it, as Kashmir remains under a tight security lockdown | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Vijay Kumar and K Skandan, advisers to the Governor, at the parade. Governor Malik said the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, and sustained efforts by armed forces have ensured the defeat of terrorists | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

NSA Ajit Doval and Governor Malik converse during the parade. A picture of Doval eating on the streets in Srinagar had triggered a small controversy last week, with Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad suggesting the locals in the photo were paid to be there | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Gita Mittal speaks to NSA Ajit Doval. Doval has been camping in Srinagar for days now to ensure the law and order situation in the new UT is under control | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Prominent mainstream political leaders were not present at the Independence Day function as they have been detained as a precautionary measure. Second-rung BJP leaders, however, were among those sitting in the stands | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Jammu and Kashmir featured not just in Governor Satya Pal Malik’s speech, but also in PM Modi’s speech in New Delhi. The Prime Minister said his govt is not shying away from taking big decisions, and cited the scrapping of Article 35A and Article 370 as an example | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Performers at the 73rd Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Security personnel and performers with the Tricolour during the event | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

A women’s contingent of the Indian Reserve Police marches past Governor Satya Pal Malik and other dignitaries | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

(With PTI inputs)