Kashmiris are, by nature, peace loving people. Those who take to the streets for protests are often driven by incentives rather than genuine conviction βΉ100 and a plate of biryani seem to be enough for some.
Two things were exposed on Kashmir's streets today.
First, the BJP, a non-entity in Kashmir's politics, can dare to walk to Ghanta Ghar and hold our streets. That is how complete the surrender of this state has been.
It should shame every party that calls itself mainstream.
Second, the other protest showed how little popular support that protesting party actually has. A people's protest draws people beyond your own rank and file. This one did not.
It's clear what Delhi saw recently with protests, Kashmir did not today.
People do not identify with these leaders. They do not trust them. Their politics has shrunk to producing loud media bytes.
That can't be fixed by rearranging the same faces. It is fixed by replacing this politics.
That is the work ahead.