Kashmir’s new pain

Kashmir is back in the headlines, and the commentators are spinning out their theories across the world press. Many of us believed that a gentler time really was returning to Kashmir, and then this fragile sense was exploded in August, ignited by a 100 acres of land in the Muslim-majority state being granted to a Hindu pilgrimage trust. This trigger point has subsided but the protests go on. The new generation of protestors are not using the gun-they are now armed with a new-found vocabulary that taunts the Government of India as the people call again for freedom ‘Azadi’, whilst also niggling India by championing Pakistan. Commentators are saying a lot about grievances and it now being the time for freedom at last for Kashmir. What they barely touch on is the idea of something better for the people of The Kashmir Valley: employment, opportunities, and investment without corruption. These are surely better terms for freedom?