Kashmiri discontent grows: SC verdict sparks concerns for an uncertain future

Earlier this week when the Supreme Court announced the verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir was calm. The markets in Srinagar and other major towns were open, traffic was normal and the Internet was not suspended.

This was in total contrast to August 5, 2019, when the Narendra Modi government scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution of India which gave the erstwhile J&K state a special status. The scrapping of Article 370 four years ago led to strikes and massive clampdowns that lasted for several months in Kashmir.

This time when SC put the stamp on Article 370 abrogation, except for mainstream politicians and a Kashmiri separatist leader, there was total silence.

For the people, there were a few expectations from the Apex Court.

“Given the history, we didn’t expect the court to go against the decision of the all-powerful BJP,” remarked a student of Kashmir University. " We had an Afzal Guru who was hanged to 'satisfy the collective conscience'."

He said that while people were disappointed at large with the verdict, they, however, did not express their views.

“There was no physical restriction this time imposed by the government, but the online space was being monitored strictly by the J&K police to keep an eye on dissent. Several social media users were booked for online comments ahead of the verdict,” he said. “ People generally in Kashmir don’t react to any situation like the past. They are watching mutely.”

Several people in Kashmir believe the verdict was another "betrayal" of the people of J&K.

“It is a plain betrayal and will add to further alienation,” said a shopkeeper in Srinagar. “Only time will tell what results in the abrogation of Article 370 and the court verdict will have on Kashmir. But I see that people are depressed about what is happening with them.”

The judgment has also opened the fears of demographic change in Kashmir and the people face uncertainty on what the future holds for them.

While people were mute in their reactions, the only voices of dissent in Kashmir over the verdict were the mainstream politicians who were placed under “house arrest” on the day of the verdict, an allegation denied by the J&K government.

Former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said they were prepared for the long haul.

“We had knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court in the expectation of justice. We accept that we failed to get justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the Supreme Court but we will not stop our efforts. We hope that maybe not today but somewhere in future, there will be an atmosphere in the country in which we will be successful in regaining our lost respect and identity that was snatched from us on August 5, 2019,” Abdullah said in a video on the verdict day.

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said the verdict was the defeat of the idea of India.

“The Supreme Court’s verdict stating that Article 370 was a temporary provision, is not our defeat, but the defeat of the idea of India…We have been betrayed,” Mufti said in a video statement.

Her party has also suspended all the activities for the next one week in order to “stand in solidarity” with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the verdict was a disappointment but was not “unexpected, particularly in the present circumstances.”

With Article 370 gone, there is a pall of uncertainty in Kashmir.

“Too much is being made of Supreme Court judgement on 370 - this does not change the reality regarding Kashmiris' trust. The alienation of Kashmiris has been total since 5 Aug 2019. We failed to make them our own. We betrayed the hope they had with 370!” Pravin Sawhney, a defence analyst said.

With the centre likely to harden its Kashmiri policy, the mainstream parties in Kashmir are now pinning hopes on the election for the next year to take on the battle.