Watershed Moments

Dates that shaped Kashmir’s collective memory

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WHEN asked about the impact of August 5, 2019, a Kashmiri lawyer invoked one of the most memorable quotes of the 20th century. He referred to the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who is reported to have said when asked about the influence of the French Revolution, “Too early to say.”

August 5, 2019

This day is seen as a major milestone in the recent history of Kashmir, as on this day the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government abrogated Article 370, significantly altering the status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). This move led to the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The abrogation led to widespread changes, including the removal of the state flag and the annulment of the Constitution of J&K. As the government imposed a total communication lockdown; internet, mobile phones and fixed telephone service lines were suspended, and this continued for nearly five months. Thousands were arrested, including prominent political figures such as former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

May 2020