Roar Returns to the Valley

As Jammu and Kashmir readies for its first major election exercise since the abrogation of Article 370, the 'lion' is back in Kashmir's political rhetoric

- Naseer Ganai in Srinagar

AFTER being emasculated, declawed and defanged since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the metaphoric lion is back in Kashmir’s political rhetoric.

At National Conference (NC) gatherings ahead of polling for the 2024 Lok Sabha, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar are greeted with chants of “Aaya, Aaya, Sher Aaya” (The lion is here). Recently, in Baramulla, Omar Abdullah, after filing his nomination, was cheered with the same fervour.

Similarly, supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Srinagar candidate Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra and People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone chant,“Nakli shera yeti wat dera, asli shera aa gaya” (Fake lions should leave, for the true lion is here).

While “Aaya ,Aaya, Sher Aaya” is a common political slogan, old separatist phrases like “Jis Kashmir jo khoon se seencha gaya hai, woh Kashmir hamara hai ” (The Kashmir drenched in blood is our Kashmir) have also seen a revival, albeit with a twist.

At PDP rallies, another separatist slogan resurfaces: “Na biknay wali PDP, na jhuknay wali PDP, national hari” (The PDP doesn’t sell out, the PDP doesn’t bow down, it’s the national champion). Iltija Mufti, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, passionately shouted these slogans at a rally in South Kashmir, standing atop a vehicle. Previously, these slogans were associated with the late separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani for his ‘unwavering’ political stance.