The Intractable Mess In Jammu And Kashmir lowyinterpreter.org

Amit Shah’s actions were well received in mainland India. Many Indians distrust or dislike Muslim Kashmiris, partly because the now-abrogated Article 35-A discriminately allowed “state subjects” only (i.e., locals) to buy land in Jammu and Kashmir. (This abrogation is now making people in Jammu and Kashmir nervous that externals will buy up their land.) Equally, many Indians think that Kashmiris have secured higher social indicators than many other Indian states, such as “backward” Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, by cleverly exploiting special financial disbursements made by New Delhi. Some Indians also (mistakenly) think many Kashmiris are pro-Pakistan.