The illegal annexation
August 5 will always be remembered as a tragic day by Kashmiris, marking the moment their constitutionally guaranteed rights were usurped by the so-called largest democracy in the world. Relying on a brute parliamentary majority, the BJP-RSS dispensation abrogated Articles 370 and 35A on this day in 2019. This act directly contravened the Indian Constitution - which granted special status to Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir - while also violating international law. Since then, the demographic and socio-political identity of Kashmiris remains systematically altered. Furthermore, India has endangered regional peace and security through aggressive actions against Pakistan and its unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
This aggrandisement speaks of New Delhi's hegemonic mentality, which must be confronted by the comity of nations that believe in civilised norms of coexistence under the nation-state system. The day marks a critical turning point for the people of Kashmir, signifying the loss of regional autonomy and their deeply cherished identity. It delivered a deadly blow to their seven decades of political struggle to attain the right to a plebiscite as enshrined by the United Nations. This extra-constitutional act, unwisely upheld by the Indian Supreme Court, testifies that New Delhi has not been able to come to terms with the legitimacy of the uprising in Kashmir, and its tall claims of restoring normalcy were nothing more than a hoax.
India's manipulation of ground realities since Aug 5, 2019 is a telling tale of neo-colonialism. These manipulations manifest in the realms of domicile, delimitation and displacement, compounded by an economic toll exceeding $9 billion inflicted upon more than 10 million people under siege. This crisis demands a proactive policy on Kashmir by people on both sides of the LoC, ensuring that the struggle for liberation and self-determination comes full circle. The world must make India realise that it cannot escape accountability for such xenophobic maneuvers; it is high time New Delhi rescinded the August 5 acts in the larger interest of regional tranquility.