Opinion | Kashmir’s Changing Seasons: The Modi Years

For a place that has endured decades of conflict, uncertainty and interrupted opportunities, the prospect of a future defined by peace, stability and progress carries immense significance. Modi’s Kashmir legacy will ultimately be judged not merely by the decisions taken in New Delhi, but by the opportunities they create for our youth, the dignity they afford our people and the confidence they inspire in future generations.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 25 years in government, and following the celebration of his 76th birthday on September 17, 2026, I, as a Kashmiri activist who has seen him lead the country as Prime Minister for over 12 years, feel compelled to reflect on his political journey, particularly in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. For anyone rising from an ordinary background to public office, whether as a Sarpanch or a Chief Minister, the journey demands immense dedication, perseverance and hard work. Modi’s journey from his early years in public life to the Chief Minister’s Office in Gujarat and eventually to the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi is a story of political ambition, organisational work and sustained public engagement. As someone who has witnessed the political and social changes in Kashmir during his premiership, I believe this 25-year milestone offers an opportunity to look beyond the national narrative and examine what his leadership has meant for Jammu and Kashmir, its people, its development and its future.

Having been deeply influenced by the spiritual traditions associated with the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda movement, Narendra Damodardas Modi developed an enduring admiration for the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the warrior-monk whose philosophy sought to harmonise spiritual enlightenment with social emancipation and national regeneration. His visits to institutions associated with this tradition, including Belur Math and the Ramakrishna Ashram in Rajkot, are often cited in accounts of his formative years. Vivekananda’s vision of a spiritually awakened yet socially conscious society, rooted in civilisational heritage while aspiring towards economic equity, intellectual advancement, moral rectitude, political liberty and mutual respect, offers an important lens through which to understand the ideals that have shaped Modi’s public persona.

Across more than two decades at the helm of state and national governance, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and subsequently as Prime Minister of India, Modi has cultivated an image of personal discipline, administrative resolve and a commitment to public service. His supporters frequently point to the absence of a substantiated personal corruption conviction as evidence of his integrity, although such claims must be distinguished from the broader scrutiny and political controversies that accompany public office. How, then, has Modi fashioned his image as a leader devoted to the nation and its people? In a country as vast and heterogeneous as India, encompassing myriad languages, faiths, ethnicities, artistic traditions and cultural identities, his political appeal rests, for many of his admirers, on the perception of a leader who combines an austere personal disposition with an unwavering national vision. To them, he represents an illustrious son of the soil, a custodian of India’s civilisational inheritance and a determined advocate of the aspirations of its people.

When Narendra Modi assumed office as Prime Minister in May 2014, Jammu and Kashmir was soon confronted with one of the most devastating natural calamities in its recent history. The catastrophic floods of September 2014 submerged vast stretches of the Valley, leaving thousands of families displaced, homes destroyed and livelihoods shattered. Amid this unprecedented crisis, Modi chose to spend Diwali, on 23 October 2014, with the flood-affected people of Srinagar. His visit carried a message of solidarity at a time when countless Kashmiris were struggling to recover from their losses. For many, the gesture was a reminder that leadership is not merely about occupying the highest office in the country, but also about standing beside people in their moments of distress. This, to me, is one of the defining responsibilities of a leader. The subsequent formation of a coalition government between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in March 2015, raised considerable expectations. For the first time, the BJP had entered a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing together two parties with markedly different political ideologies. Many hoped that this unprecedented arrangement would bridge political divides and usher in a new chapter of governance. However, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s demise on 7 January 2016 brought an abrupt end to his tenure, and his daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, succeeded him as Chief Minister in April that year. The Valley soon witnessed widespread unrest following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on 8 July 2016. The ensuing turmoil resulted in numerous civilian deaths, thousands of injuries and the blinding of many young people by pellet injuries. The violence and prolonged shutdowns inflicted a deep social and psychological toll, leaving Kashmir once again engulfed in uncertainty.

The political situation deteriorated further over the following two years. On 19 June 2018, the BJP withdrew from its coalition with the PDP, bringing the Mehbooba Mufti-led government to an end. Governor’s Rule was imposed on 20 June 2018, and President’s Rule followed in December that year. The collapse of the coalition marked another decisive turn in Jammu and Kashmir’s political trajectory, leaving the region under central administration and setting the stage for a period of profound constitutional and administrative change. In retrospect, these developments formed part of the political backdrop against which the Union Government’s historic decision of 5 August 2019 unfolded, when Parliament approved the measures that rendered Article 370 inoperative and paved the way for the reorganisation of the erstwhile state. The decision fundamentally altered Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional relationship with the Union of India. Whether viewed through the lens of national integration, governance or civil liberties, the events of 2019 remain central to any assessment of Modi’s leadership and its consequences for Kashmir.

What followed after 2019 marked a significant turning point in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The region began to witness visible changes in its public life, tourism, infrastructure and administrative functioning. Many of the apprehensions expressed by political leaders opposing the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A did not materialise in the manner they had predicted, although the long-term political and social consequences of the decision continue to be debated. I vividly remember how, whenever I stepped out in the evening or returned home late, my family would call me repeatedly, sometimes ten times within a matter of minutes, simply to ensure that I was safe. Such anxiety was not unfamiliar to many Kashmiri households that had lived through years of uncertainty, shutdowns and violence. For me, the gradual emergence of a different atmosphere in parts of the Valley has been among the most noticeable changes of the post-2019 period. I see in this transformation an outcome that the leadership in New Delhi, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, has consistently sought to achieve: a Kashmir where ordinary people can pursue their daily lives with greater confidence and fewer interruptions caused by political unrest.

Today, Lal Chowk can be seen bustling with visitors late into the night, and during peak tourist seasons, finding suitable hotel accommodation can become difficult. Srinagar hosted the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting from 22 to 24 May 2023, placing Kashmir before an international gathering of delegates and tourism representatives. Film-related initiatives, literary festivals and cultural events have also contributed to a more visible public and cultural life. The resumption of more regular academic schedules has offered students greater continuity in their education, while tourism has created opportunities for hoteliers, transport operators, artisans, guides and small businesses. These developments are meaningful because peace and normalcy are ultimately measured not only by official statements, but also by whether people can study, work, travel and earn their livelihoods with greater predictability.

The security situation, too, has undergone a measurable change in several respects. Official figures record a substantial decline in organised stone-pelting and organised shutdowns compared with earlier years, while the government has reported a reduction in terrorist-initiated incidents over the longer term. However, it would be inaccurate to suggest that violence has disappeared altogether or that radicalisation and terrorist recruitment have ceased. The challenge of sustaining peace remains, and incidents of violence in recent years underline the need for continued vigilance. Nevertheless, the changes visible in tourism, public activity and everyday life provide grounds for examining how the region has evolved under Modi’s leadership, while recognising that the aspirations of Kashmiris extend beyond security to include employment, political representation, civil liberties and lasting economic opportunity.

As I reflect on the transformation that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed over the past several years, I cannot overlook the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in shaping this new chapter. His government’s emphasis on connectivity, infrastructure, tourism, investment and administrative reform has contributed to a renewed focus on the region’s developmental aspirations. For a place that has endured decades of conflict, uncertainty and interrupted opportunities, the prospect of a future defined by peace, stability and progress carries immense significance. Modi’s Kashmir legacy will ultimately be judged not merely by the decisions taken in New Delhi, but by the opportunities they create for our youth, the dignity they afford our people and the confidence they inspire in future generations. Yet, for those of us who have witnessed the Valley’s difficult years and its evolving public life, there is reason to acknowledge the changes that have taken place and the possibilities they have opened. The true measure of leadership lies in its ability to transform hope into opportunity, uncertainty into confidence and aspirations into tangible progress. If Jammu and Kashmir can continue along a path of lasting peace, inclusive development and democratic empowerment, it will stand as a testament to what determined leadership, sustained governance and the resilience of its people can achieve together.

Author can be reached at Email: soulofkashmir1@gmail.com