Why Indians are sharing this heartbreaking image of a classifieds page in Kashmir

One heartbreaking image of a page from a Kashmiri daily brings to light how life in the valley has come to a halt

As violence continues to escalate in Indian-occupied Kashmir with at least 32 dead, one heartbreaking image of a classified ads page from a Kashmiri daily speaks volumes about how life in the disputed valley has come to a halt.

Violence erupted in the area after Indian security forces killed prominent Kashmiri separatist leader Bhurhan Wani last Friday. Since then at least 32 people – mostly civilians – have been killed in the region and a curfew is in place for the fourth consecutive day.



In the past few days, many images of civilians facing off Indian forces have emerged, but one chilling photo of the classifieds page of an English daily, Greater Kashmir, tweeted by an Indian Journalist Ankur Bharadwaj on Tuesday, is a powerful reminder of the plight of Kashmiris living under Indian rule.

https://twitter.com/Bhayankur/status/752755480523476992

Almost every announcement on that page conveyed the news that the wedding ceremony on that particular day had been cancelled due to the prevailing circumstances. Other Kashmiri newspapers, such as, Kashmir Observer, notified that examinations had also been cancelled.



Many were deeply moved by the image:

Whoa! This page belongs in a museum exhibit about Kashmir. Powerful. @GreaterKashmir_ https://t.co/bSKCzLtfYB

— rama lakshmi (@RamaNewDelhi) July 12, 2016

This is the situation in Kashmir today. Ads in Greater Kashmir today. Pic via @Bhayankur pic.twitter.com/qNWv2bDwgF

— Vasu (@vasudevan_k) July 12, 2016

Tales of ordinary war and disruption of life at every level. On Greater #Kashmir wedding invitation cancellations pic.twitter.com/zdjgI5pyHt

— francesca recchia (@kiccovich) July 12, 2016

https://twitter.com/neo_pac/status/752990299467767808

Striking. Classified ads in Kashmir newspapers cancelling weddings as violence flares. https://t.co/VdgXAzuuGT pic.twitter.com/v0ItRgNkYg

— JeremyReesnz (@JeremyReesnz) July 12, 2016

Classified pages of a Kashmir paper, powerful reminder of the volatile situation on ground. #KashmirUnrest #burhan pic.twitter.com/4U52jFFoGX

— Niha Masih (@NihaMasih) July 12, 2016

https://twitter.com/PRATHAMBLUES/status/752802187755999232

The power of a simple classified image ...
Some of us see Kashmir from fixed view point.. this image might... https://t.co/WsKoN9Fnn7

— “Vikrant” - Socially active Citizen (@vik_vars) July 12, 2016