Kashmir has rejected violence

Today is not just another day in the long tortured history of Kashmir. It is a defining moment, a moment when the people of Kashmir from all walks of life have risen with remarkable courage to unanimously condemn terror. It is the first time in nearly thirty-five years that the collective voice of Kashmir has so powerfully rejected the forces of violence and bloodshed. This spontaneous and universal uprising against terror is not born out of fear but from the desire for peace, dignity and a future that has for too long been deferred.

The first step has been taken by Kashmiris themselves. No longer shackled by fear, no longer silenced by the threat of violence, the valley has risen not in rebellion, but in reclamation of its soul. The meadows that once mourned in silence now whisper the songs of a people choosing life over death, hope over despair.

This is not a moment of mere symbolism. It is the flowering of a seed long buried under the snows of sorrow. Kashmiris have taken the first step across the bridge of trust. Now it is India’s turn to reciprocate.

However, even as Kashmiris reject terror, an equally urgent and troubling development is unfolding across India that threatens to derail this historic moment. Reports have emerged from multiple parts of the country that Kashmiri students are being harassed, brutally beaten and falsely held culpable for the tragic events in Pahalgam. These young students who have left their homes in pursuit of education and dreams, now find themselves targeted and demonized for crimes they have neither committed nor condoned.

This collective punishment is not just unjust, it is a betrayal of the very values India claims to uphold. To victimize innocent Kashmiris at this delicate juncture is to play into the hands folly. If the Kashmiri youth—who have chosen books over bullets, ambition over alienation—are pushed further into isolation we risk undoing the very progress our community is trying to achieve.

The role of India’s media at this moment is especially critical. Sections of the media, rather than acting as responsible guardians of truth and reason have instead chosen to fan the flames of war-mongering and mistrust. Sensational headlines, irresponsible debates and accusatory narratives have created an atmosphere of hostility that isolates Kashmiris further rather than integrating them into the national embrace. The media must realize that it is not only reporting events, it is also about shaping realities. It must rise above short-term ratings and instead champion the cause of unity, healing and national integration.

Today Kashmir does not need vilification, it needs validation.

Calls to boycott Kashmir tourism are equally self-defeating. Punishing the valley’s economy at a time when its people are fighting terror with moral courage would only weaken the very forces of peace we should be strengthening. Every tourist who visits Kashmir now is not just a visitor but a symbol of solidarity, an ambassador of national unity.

India’s response must be multidimensional and wise. Politically, there must be a genuine effort to revive inclusive dialogues, empower grassroots democracy and rebuild trust with all sections of Kashmiri society. Socially, the government must act decisively to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiris across the country and launch public campaigns that counter prejudice and misinformation. Economically there must be bold initiatives that support youth entrepreneurship, education, healthcare and local industries, especially tourism and handicrafts. From a security standpoint, strategies must become more community-centered, focusing not just on neutralizing threats but on building resilience within society. In the media sphere, responsible reporting must be encouraged and hate-mongering must be decisively countered through public censure and regulatory frameworks.

This moment is too important to be squandered by complacency or short-sightedness. The people of Kashmir have made their choice clear, they have risen against terror, against fear, against despair. Now it is India’s turn to rise, with maturity, compassion and strategic vision.

If we embrace this moment, we can weave Kashmir back into the national fabric not as a troubled periphery but as a vibrant, proud center of India’s unity and strength. If we fail, we risk allowing the voices of hate, both external and internal, to undo what decades of resilience could not break.

History is watching. Let us not falter.

Mohammad Tabish is development professional and a Chevening Scholar