Could the Pahalgam attack mark a turning point for a new dawn in Kashmir?

From silence to clarity: Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack

The terror attack in Pahalgam sent shockwaves, not only across India and the world, but also within the Kashmir Valley.

What stood out, though, was the near-total absence of sympathy for Pakistan or the attackers, within Kashmir.

Except for a few fringe voices, the reaction from Kashmiris was one of anger against extremism, not justification.

Some may say Kashmiris are upset more about lost livelihoods than lost Hindu lives. Even so, the terrorists clearly lack widespread support among ordinary Kashmiris today.

Many Kashmiris welcomed the strong and swift retaliatory strikes by Indian forces across the border, a sharp contrast from the past when a significant minority used to cheer or rationalize such attacks.

This signals something profound: the ground sentiment in Kashmir has changed and is changing.

Unlike in the past, this awakening isn’t rooted in government slogans or ideological narratives.

Kashmiris see extremists and Pakistanis pushing their children into poverty, fear, and even violence, while the rest of India races into the AI age.

They’ve lived since Independence under layers of stereotyping about Hindus, the Indian state, and their own place in it. These layers were never questioned because they were never exposed to anything different.

Until recently.

The power of seeing what’s possible

They’re realizing that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, not India, is their enemy.

And more importantly, a good life is possible only if terrorism is rooted out of Kashmir.

Still, rooting out terrorism isn’t easy. Guerrillas only need to strike once to succeed. The state must succeed every time.

If the Kashmiri locals act in unison against Pakistan and terrorism, terrorists will find it difficult to succeed. Terrorism can’t happen without local support.

That’s why the Pahalgam attack could become a turning point. It has made the cost of silence too high for the Kashmiris, their very livelihoods, and the future of their children and generations ahead.

Kashmiris want change but need a way to move safely toward it.

Compare this with Pakistan, where years of brainwashing have kept people stuck in anger and a sense of victimhood.

Most Pakistanis know that their army and ISI are corrupt.

At least a significant percentage of Pakistanis know that they lost in the recent attack and counter-attack, getting a bloody nose, and that they had to ask the US for help to stop further action by the Indian military. Of course, the rest of them may be blissfully unaware.

But they all know that Pakistan has no future.

Yet Pakistanis revere their military and ISI, because they’ve been fed with the hate-India mindset and know no alternative.

Unlike the Pakistanis, Kashmiris have had a glimpse of what development, growth, and life are possible in recent years. And now they’re asking: What’s holding us back from integrating nicely with the rest of India in all respects?

What Kashmir needs and how it can be done

Some argue that Kashmiri (and pan-Indian) Muslims must reform from within to get out of the clutches of the small but significant percentage of extremists still controlling Kashmiri psyche. This is the way they can integrate with the rest of India seamlessly and enjoy their due share of development and growth.

But there is intense social pressure in their tightly-knit community against reform.

When people are given a window into a better future, they start asking themselves what’s holding them back.

Kashmiris are now at that point. They’ve had a glimpse of what is possible in the last few years, esp post-revocation of Article 370. They just need help stepping through it.

Speaking out against extremists can be deadly. Many cannot even voice dissent within their own homes.

Without safety and leadership, even the willing are silenced. They need external vision, guidance, and protection.

BJP’s moment in Kashmir: A bold strategy

This is where the BJP can think big.

Imagine a constituency-wise dream plan for Kashmir, focused not just on policy, but aspirations, economic revival, and real, equal leadership roles for local Muslims.

Simultaneously, a Jammu-specific initiative led by Hindus should be launched.

Kashmir needs new local leaders: young, articulate, and forward-looking, like a Shehla Rashid-type voice for peace and progress.

If the BJP mentors and protects such leaders, they could reshape Kashmir’s narrative.

But even more importantly, the BJP must tell the people:

• The local parties have misled them for decades, giving them no future, only the opportunity to throw stones for money and become lackeys of politicians/ terrorists.
• BJP, in contrast, offers a vision where Kashmiri youth can become doctors, engineers, government officers, scientists, traders, and entrepreneurs, not just within Kashmir but everywhere in India.
• We’re not talking mere slogans. It’s about real futures. Because this is how the rest of India works.

This is not just an electoral strategy; it’s transformational politics. It’s using Delhi’s strength to empower Kashmiris to reclaim their homeland from extremism, aligned with the BJP’s national and Kashmir vision.

If backed and protected, these leaders could:

• Speak the truth without fear
• Challenge anti-India myths
• Show how Islam and peace can coexist
• Help isolate extremists

Promoting a modern, inclusive Islamic ethos, from within

Over time, this could trigger deeper reform within Indian Islam, not through conflict, but by realignment with progress, modernity, and unity.

Empowered, patriotic Muslim leadership can make this shift durable and authentic.

Young Muslim leaders like Shehzad Poonawala can help identify, mentor, and protect such leadership in Kashmir. Young non-Muslim leaders like Annamalai can be co-opted.

One day, not in the distant future, we could see a BJP-led government in Kashmir led by moderate local Kashmiris with the majority from within the valley itself.

Over time, this could trigger deeper reform within Indian Islam, not through conflict, but realignment with progress, modernity, and unity.

Empowered, patriotic Muslim leadership can make this shift durable and authentic.

Scaling the model across India

This approach need not be limited to Kashmir. Across India, bold, credible Muslim leaders, aligned with the BJP’s national goals, can be given real roles, even Cabinet positions.

This should not be tokenism. It must be based on integrity and merit.

Done right, it can change perceptions and challenge the narrative that the BJP is anti-Muslim, not just in Kashmir but across India.

Critics may worry about alienating Hindu voters in the rest of India. But these Hindu voters know that there is no better ideological alternative to the BJP, and any erosion could be offset by support from moderate Muslims and liberals who would welcome the BJP’s approach.

Besides, after 3 terms, the BJP must grow its base to counter voter fatigue. This strategy could help.

If the BJP wins in Kashmir, the I.N.D.I. Alliance’s projection of the BJP as anti-Muslim won’t stick anywhere in India.

Conclusion: Hope after Pahalgam

Pahalgam was a tragedy. But it also made clear: Kashmir is ready for change.

Kashmiris are no longer blind; they want peace and progress, but fear extremists.

They’ve seen the dream. Now they need someone to walk with them, protecting them from the extremists and terrorists, to realize the dream.

If the BJP can overcome old labels and offer an inclusive, inspiring vision, backed by local Muslim leadership, Kashmir can become a model for reform within Islam, not just for India, but globally.

Some may scoff at my suggestion, saying Muslims won’t vote for the BJP. I’m all ears to hear a better and workable solution, other than letting things drift indefinitely.

BJP could make inroads, even if only to a limited extent, in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, states seen as electorally impossible for the BJP. Why not in Kashmir? BJP has everything to gain and little to lose. The right strategy and strong work on the ground could make a difference, at least some difference.

If the BJP comes to power on its own in J&K, with a significant number of seats from the Kashmir valley, tackling extremism and terrorism will be much easier.

The moment is ripe. The path is hard. But the goal is worth it.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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