Thread by @ajplus

India sparked a firestorm of controversy this week when it revoked the special status of Kashmir, a territory at the center of a longstanding dispute with Pakistan.
As tensions rise, Kashmiris have been put on indefinite lockdown. @RanaAyyub explains what’s going on: (1/10)

India’s government revoked part of the constitution which granted a level of autonomy to the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir Monday. The government also wants to split the state into two “Union” territories, directly ruled by New Delhi. (2/10) washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/…

The decision, which showed a disregard for democratic norms, comes amid a resurgence of Hindu nationalism.

For decades, Hindu nationalists have asked to revoke the special status of Kashmir, so India could establish supremacy over the region. (3/10)
thehindu.com/opinion/editor…

Since Monday, the Indian government has placed democratically elected leaders of Kashmir under arrest, imposed a curfew, clamped down on the internet and connectivity, and deployed thousands more troops to the valley. (4/10) telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/0…

India's ruling BJP party has said it hopes to emulate Israel as it combats an insurgency in Kashmir. Indeed, imposing an undemocratic, unconstitutional solution on millions of Kashmiris calls to mind the situation of Palestinians in the West Bank. (5/10) time.com/5644356/india-…

In an editorial, Indian sociologist Pratap Bhanu Mehta wrote that the decision meant "Indian democracy is failing. It is descending into majoritarianism, the brute power of the vote; it will no longer have the safety valves that allowed inclusion." (6/10) indianexpress.com/article/opinio…

The decision to revoke Kashmir's special status could also be followed by an effort to implement the controversial National Register of Citizens - which could disenfranchise 4 million Muslims in the Northeast of the country. (7/10)
huffingtonpost.in/entry/kashmir-…

This move also comes in the wake of increased hostility in the country against the Muslim minority. Muslims have been killed by Hindu mobs, & two weeks ago, a Muslim teen was reportedly set on fire for refusing to chant Hindu slogans. (8/10) independent.co.uk/news/world/asi…

So while Hindu nationalists see the Kashmir move as a way to maintain their hegemony, Kashmiri leaders see it as a way to designate Muslims as second-class citizens in a place which has endured military occupation for decades. (9/10)
theprint.in/india/scrappin…

The Eid al-Adha festival is approaching, and it remains to be seen if the Indian government will relax the curfew so that Kashmiris can offer Eid prayers. There's a sense of fear and foreboding, and it's unclear what’s going to happen next. (10/10) aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/k…