Hope and Doubt Emerge as AFSPA Revocation Discussed in Kashmir.
Word from Home Minister Amit Shah that the government may repeal the controversial AFSPA law in Jammu and Kashmir has elicited cautious optimism from local leaders. While many welcome potential reform, past broken promises have also bred wariness.
Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP offered conditional support, saying, “Our agenda with the BJP advocated AFSPA removal. If they mean it this time, it’s better late than never.”
However, alluding to an undelivered job and deposit assurances, she urged actions like freeing detained journalists “to show they’re serious, not just talking again.”
The decades-old law grants extraordinary powers to security forces in designated “disturbed” areas, first used amid insurgencies in the 1950s.
Omar Abdullah applauded the move yet chided delays as political manoeuvring. “How often have commitments not materialized when it mattered?” he asked, citing past Ladakh disappointments.
Politicians’ reasonable demands of proof over empty statements ring loudly after over a decade of AFSPA discussions with little change. Understandably, this time, locals weary of unfulfilled vows desire more than rhetoric to rebuild broken trust.
If sincerely carried out, removing the controversial act could finally ease the suffering of many in Kashmir. But falling short risks losing what may be a rare opening for reform and reconciliation.
The coming actions will show whether discussions amount to real political courage or more of the same empty assurances that solved nothing.
