As the world marked Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Exploitation Day) to remember the unilateral and illegal revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the stark reality on the ground continues to shatter the Indian government’s carefully curated propaganda. Far from bringing “normalcy” and “development,” New Delhi’s high-handed approach has turned the occupied valley into an open-air prison governed by artificial security panics and political deceit.

The recent tragic killing of innocent non-local labourers in Kulgam serves as a grim reminder of a sinister pattern. Whenever Kashmiris peacefully demand their basic rights or push for the restoration of statehood, a convenient act of violence suddenly erupts-providing New Delhi the perfect pretext to maintain its brutal military siege and deflect blame outward.

For years, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime has relied on an automated script: immediately pin every security failure in Indian-Administered Kashmir on external forces. However, this manufactured narrative is collapsing from within.

Even mainstream pro-establishment figures in the region are........

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