For those who still trade in the narratives of division, the message is clear: the world has moved on and so has J&K. Let us not kill hope. Let us nurture it. Let us not romanticize conflict. Let us overcome it.
Sajad Ali
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has long been burdened by narratives that seek to keep it chained to an unrelenting past. Just as we begin toward peace and progress, a chorus of voices rises—voices that thrive on discord, that treat our home as a mere stage for their ideological theatrics. It is an unfortunate irony. We see a growing section of social media is deliberately fanning separatist sentiment, peddling misinformation and manufacturing an illusion of struggle that serves no purpose beyond keeping J&K tethered to its painful past. Although there is respite – that these efforts are failing. The people of J&K, especially its youth are no longer willing to be manipulated into a narrative that exploits their suffering for someone else’s agenda. But one’s heart is saddened. Just months back we see even institutions of great repute, such as the Oxford Union, have fallen into the trap of legitimizing this dangerous rhetoric. By providing a stage to voices that romanticize strife, they risk becoming unwitting allies to those who seek to keep J&K in an endless loop of resistance and unrest. This is not just an academic debate—
it is a matter of life and death for those who live in the region. When conflict is intellectualized by those who do not have to bear its consequences, it cheapens the lived experiences of millions who are striving to move beyond a history written in blood. The world must recognize that J&K is not a symbol of conflict to be debated at prestigious institutions. It is a living – a breathing society with aspirations that go beyond being a pawn in someone else’s ideological war. What is most troubling is that these voices often belong to individuals who have profited from the region’s turmoil. From the comfort of their privileged rooms, they depict our home as a fractured land, frozen in an endless cycle of struggle and resistance. But J&K is not just a battlefield of history, it is also a land of resilience, where millions wake up every day striving to rebuild their lives. Yet, for those who profit from conflict our progress is inconvenient. Their relevance hinges on our suffering and their narratives find traction only if J&K remains defined by division rather than hope. But here lies the real question: why should our identity be bound by land and conflict when the world itself is transcending borders? In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, where digital transformation is creating limitless opportunities, why should we allow ourselves to be prisoners of history? The youth of J&K deserve better. They deserve education, skills and global integration—not to be shackled to outdated ideological constructs that serve no real purpose in today’s interconnected world. The very concept of identity tied to land is becoming obsolete. Nations are no longer defined by rigid geographical markers but by their ability to integrate, innovate and thrive in a rapidly evolving world. If the world is moving towards a digital economy, if individuals are building their futures in virtual spaces, why should J&K’s youth be forced to carry the weight of past conflicts? Why should they be seen as symbols of resistance rather than beacons of progress? The answer is simple: they should not. It is not the land but the people who define a region and it is their aspirations that should shape its destiny. How far can we continue to leave our youth to die or be manipulated into fake dreams of freedom? What kind of freedom is it? More than 100,000 have died in the past three decades of conflict—one that never truly belonged to us. Millions were injured both physically and emotionally. After all, for whom? For a struggle that has only turned our homeland into a battlefield of opposing interests, where external actors exploit our pain for their agendas. True freedom is not in dying for a cause that only brings endless grief – it is in living a life of dignity, progress and opportunity.
It is in breaking free from the chains of manipulated narratives and stepping into a world where the youth of J&K are empowered, not exploited. The Oxford Union and other global institutions that host debates on J&K must recognize this reality. By giving space to voices of division, they risk validating an outdated narrative, one that is at odds with the aspirations of millions who are striving to build a new J&K. It is not merely an oversight, it is a disservice to those who dream of a better tomorrow.
Our people don’t not need to be trapped in the past. The future belongs to those who dare to dream beyond the constraints of history. The youth of J&K deserve to be part of a world that values innovation over ideology, progress over propaganda and hope over hatred. It is time to let go of the chains of the past and embrace the boundless possibilities of the future. For those who still trade in the narratives of division, the message is clear: the world has moved on and so has J&K. Let us not kill hope. Let us nurture it. Let us not romanticize conflict. Let us overcome it.
