Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory in northern India. It comprises two major regions: Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. A third region, Ladakh, along with Jammu and Kashmir, was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir until 2019. After the abrogation of Article 370, the state was broken into two: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The region is known for breathtaking landscapes with a history going back to the Indus Valley Civilization, with evidence of various empires — Gandhara, Mauryan, Kushan, Gupta, Mughal, and Dogra — ruling the area.
The region has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since its 1947 accession to India. The two countries fought a war that resulted in the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC) and divided the region into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Both Pakistan and China lay claims to parts of Indian-administered Kashmir and Ladakh.
The region has faced decades of insurgency, particularly since the 1980s, fueled by political alienation, human rights concerns, and economic disparities, leading to a cycle of violence and counterinsurgency operations.
In 2024, elections were held in the region after nearly a decade, restoring an elected government. Omar Abdullah took office as Chief Minister, while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha continues to serve as the Centre’s representative, overseeing administrative affairs.
AIMIM Leader Owaisi challenged why TOI published a headline saying ‘Kalma saved the tourists’. The standard Muslim response of saying terrorists are not Muslims is extremely evasive and selfish. Muslims want an associated Ummah which protects everyone associated with it. But the Ummah should also bear responsibilities for the crimes of its constituents. Just discarding them when convenient means you are only caring about not being blamed.
Owaisi and other Muslim leaders should acknowledge the systematic racism in Kashmir where outsiders and non Muslims are targeted and killed. A reparation system should be brought. Just as affirmative action is a response to past oppression. Kashmiri muslims should be required to give up a privilege for this. Just talking is not enough. May be an additional tax to support security operation. The reverse of hire local. In general if you treat outsiders with contempt you lose your right to be treated with privilege.
Regime of Tughlaq/Aurangzeb was recreated in Pahalgam. Recite Kalma, show Khatna, convert to Islam or face execution. Now Hindus community can understand the agony of their forefathers.
What about violance in Murshidabad? The perpetrators are not from Pakistan of course.