Illusion Of Normality: Unmasking Reality In Jammu And Kashmir

“Civil rights activists, politicians, and youth are imprisoned and their voices stifled by draconian measures taken under the guise of national security. Suppression of dissent has become endemic, and citizens are subjected to surveillance and censorship that undermine fundamental freedoms.”

 

Over the past seven decades, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have long hidden their actions under the guise of “development and normalcy”, ignoring the harsh realities on the ground. The recent claims by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha are an example of this trend, which perpetuates a false narrative to mask the true conditions in the region. However, such falsifications cannot hide the profound disruption Kashmir has suffered since the abolition of Article 370. Despite alleged progress, the population continues to struggle with socio-political unrest, economic setbacks, and severe restrictions on civil liberties.


By Altaf Hussain Wani

Like his predecessors, Sinha also clings to a narrative of progress that has nothing to do with the lived experiences of Kashmiris. The reopening of cinemas and supposed economic reforms are hailed as signs of change, but the region remains trapped in a web of instability and deprivation. The unilateral revocation of Article 370 in 2019 triggered a cascade of negative consequences, including economic stagnation, increased militarisation, and the systematic marginalization of indigenous voices.


While the government boasts of its successes, Kashmir is beset by a multitude of challenges that give the appearance of normalcy. Civil rights activists, politicians, and youth are imprisoned and their voices are stifled by draconian measures taken under the guise of national security. Suppression of dissent has become endemic, and citizens are subjected to surveillance and censorship that undermine fundamental freedoms.


People have no say whatsoever in government policy. Political and religious gatherings have been completely banned. The systematic disempowerment and disenfranchisement of the majority population has not only dealt a severe psychological blow to the inhabitants but has also created a sense of fear and insecurity that is widespread in the region. Enforced silence, a neglected dimension of the post-August 2019 developments, is perhaps the biggest threat Kashmiris are currently facing. While the local population continues to live under heavy surveillance, the tools and techniques used by Indian law enforcement agencies to monitor phones are a growing privacy concern.


People are not allowed to speak out. Journalists, civil society activists, and even ordinary internet users are arrested for expressing their views on social media. The mainstream media, who have been denied editorial voices, are not allowed to report the facts on the ground. And those who somehow manage to report and publish the horrific stories of terror and human rights violations are forced to delete the content. This censorship regime, designed to bring Kashmiris to their knees and make them comply with government policies, has led to a sharp decline in civil liberties in the region. While civil rights and liberties continue to be severely curtailed, the people of Kashmir feel that they no longer have a political voice or space.


“Contrary to the claims of the government authorities about the so-called development, the unemployment rate in Kashmir has risen to 23.1% in 2023. A significant rise in the unemployment rate in the troubled region belies the government’s mantra of economic development of the region.” The erosion of political agency has disempowered and alienated Kashmiris as authoritarian dictates supplant democratic processes. The introduction of a new residency policy and changes to land laws further disenfranchise indigenous communities, exacerbating economic inequalities and fuelling resentment. Meanwhile, the exploitation of Kashmir’s resources by outsiders is exacerbating economic inequalities, depriving locals of their livelihoods, and fuelling unemployment.


For example, mining, quarrying, and material contracts were awarded to outsiders while Kashmiri locals suffered from the shortage of materials. Seventy percent (70%) of mineral extraction contracts in Kashmir were reportedly awarded to non-Kashmiris during these years. The awarding of mining contracts to non-Kashmiris has led to a surge in the cost of materials and forced residents to stop their construction work. Awarding mining contracts to outsiders has also deprived the locals of finding employment.


Contrary to the claims of the government authorities about the so-called development, the unemployment rate in Kashmir has risen to 23.1% in 2023. A significant rise in the unemployment rate in the troubled region belies the government’s mantra of economic development of the region. Amid these challenges, the fruit industry — once a mainstay of the local economy— – is on the verge of collapse due to administrative neglect and infrastructural obstacles. While the government professes a commitment to development, the reality on the ground contradicts these claims, as Kashmiris are the victims of policies that prioritize control over prosperity.


According to a New Delhi-based human rights group report, the Kashmir region remains in a sharp economic downward spiral, and there are fears that the middle and lower classes are rapidly losing their purchasing power. Efforts to stifle dissent and create a semblance of normalcy only add to the resentment of Kashmiris. The government’s fixation on optics rather than substance underscores its disregard for the plight of the region’s inhabitants, who continue to suffer systemic injustices and economic deprivation.


As Kashmir grapples with a multitude of challenges, the authorities must acknowledge the reality on the ground and prioritize meaningful dialogue. Only through genuine engagement and respect for human rights can the region find a path to peace and prosperity for all its inhabitants. The futile attempts to paint a picture of normality and development will not help government authorities hide the crucial realities.


The authorities simply need to realize that opening of cinemas, parading of mercenaries with the tri-color in their hands on the streets of Srinagar, forcing students to chant “Vande Mataram” in morning assemblies, forcing passers-by in the markets to chant “Jai-Shri-Ram”, banning legitimate political expression, silencing people, confiscating their property, firing them and depriving them of their livelihood are anything but normalcy.

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