“Hum hi ko qatil kahe gi dunya, hamara hi qatl-e aam hoga
Hum hi kunwe khodte phirien ge, hum pe hi paani haram hoga”
(We will be murdered, yet we will be labeled murderers.
We will dig the wells, yet we will be forbidden from the waters.)
This haunting couplet accompanies a poignant reflection on a social media post, lamenting the vilification of Kashmiri Muslims and the lack of recognition of their grief and sympathies for the victims of the heinous Pahalgam attack.
At a modest tea stall tucked into a narrow lane, a group of men gathered around steaming hot cups and a plate of samosas. The air was thick with unease. One of them, noticing the furrowed brow of his friend, leaned closer and asked softly, "Why do you seem so worried?"
"I'm fine," came the reply, delivered with a faint, unconvincing smile.
But the question lingered, and with a heavy sigh, the man finally spoke: "The air is heavy with anxiety and fear. Look around — do you see a single face carrying even a trace of happiness? It has vanished from our streets."
Across Kashmir, the scene is heartbreakingly similar — faces drawn, voices subdued, spirits weighed down by an invisible yet palpable burden.
Since the devastating attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 27 tourists, most people spoken to confirm there is a palpable sense of panic, but they are scared of talking to media and do not wish to be named.
“Nights are restless; days pass under a cloud of dread and uncertainty,” one says.
Attacks on Students & Shawl Vendors
In the wake of bloodshed and sorrow, students, businessmen, and ordinary citizens bear the brunt, another one points out, referring to both the scale of counter-insurgency operations going on in Kashmir, and to the reported attacks on students and Kashmiri shawl vendors.
The sense of unease is profound, almost impossible to articulate, both due to fear of speaking and the sense of shock.
Businessmen and those associated with tourism speak about decline in tourism and lost livelihoods. Homes have been reduced to rubble. Search-and-cordon operations, now a grim routine, have tightened the noose of fear around an already battered population.
According to reports, in the days following the attack, eight houses belonging to suspected militants were razed, and thousands of young men across Kashmir were detained. Simultaneously, the Government of India announced five diplomatic measures aimed at Pakistan, raising tensions further.
In this charged atmosphere, the local population finds itself cornered — not only by security crackdowns but also by a media narrative eager to discredit them. Television channels, are continuously casting aspersions on Kashmiris' intentions and loyalty, relentlessly fuel a discourse of war and mistrust, deepening the community's isolation, many people point out.
Safety of Tourists
"There is no mosque in Kashmir where this barbaric act was not condemned during Friday sermons," says Rayees, a student pursuing his master’s degree.
"In Kashmir, people cared more about the safety of tourists than about their own families. We sheltered them when violence erupted. We offered them food, water, and every kind of support they needed.
Even after the recent attack, Kashmiri auto and cab drivers offered free rides to tourists, ensuring their safe return.
We are a peace-loving people. Our hospitality is not just a tradition; it is our identity, recognised and praised across the world," he added, his voice a mix of pride and quiet sorrow.
“We are witnessing haunting images of shattered homes, as if the collective conscience of the nation is being appeased at the cost of Kashmiri lives”, said a local vendor, referring to demolition of homes of alleged perpetrators, rendering their families homeless and devastatingly damaging the adjoining houses.
"We do not oppose strict government action against the perpetrators — they must be held accountable and meet their fate. Yet, the atmosphere of fear that now engulfs us is deeply distressing, breeding a pervasive sense of uncertainty,” he added.
Avoid Collateral Damage
In the wake of the unrest, various political leaders, including the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, have urged the Government of India to ensure that the guilty are punished without mercy — but cautioned that innocent people must not become collateral damage.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Omar Abdullah wrote:
"It is time to build on this support and avoid any misplaced action that alienates the people. Punish the guilty — show no mercy to them — but do not allow innocent people to become collateral damage."
Echoing a similar sentiment, his party colleague and Member of Parliament, Ruhullah Mehdi, tweeted:
"Kashmir and Kashmiris are being subjected to collective punishment."
Meanwhile, the chairman of the People's Conference Sajad Gani Lone, emphasized the need for restraint, warning against any missteps that could undo recent shifts in public sentiment.
"I hope those in charge of law and order understand the significance of this shift and refrain from any erroneous actions that could impede progress or risk a return to the earlier mindset," he said.
Have you liked the news article?