By Mushtaq Bala
Editor-in-Chief, Kashmir Pen
A Week of Reflection: Progress, Protests & Persistent Questions
As we stand on the threshold of a new week, we reflect upon the last seven days — a stretch marked by achievements, simmering discontent, poignant losses, and enduring questions about governance, identity, and justice.
In a significant move, the Jammu & Kashmir Government’s fresh push for GI tagging of six more traditional crafts underlines a broader effort to revive Kashmir’s fading heritage and grant global recognition to local artisans. At a time when the region is grappling with economic anxieties and job insecurity, such initiatives offer more than just branding — they promise dignity, sustainability, and hope for thousands of skilled hands.
On the technology front, J&K Bank’s sweeping success at the IBA CISO Summit, bagging top cybersecurity awards, stands as a moment of pride — a local institution proving its mettle on a national platform. The Chief Secretary’s subsequent review of the bank’s performance reflects the growing demand for accountability and excellence in public financial institutions.
While policy gears turned at various ends, people on the ground raised their voices. MAWA’s protest seeking a blanket ban on liquor sales and Ghulam Ahmad Mir’s concerns over arbitrary power bill hikes reflect public resentment against policies perceived as unjust or insensitive to Kashmir’s cultural and economic fabric. These protests, though scattered, point to a larger unease — one that governance must heed.
From Gurez Valley’s closure to tourists to random power shutdowns across the Valley, the people of Kashmir continue to suffer under infrastructural constraints and abrupt administrative decisions. The rising summer heat, compounded by power outages and a looming water crisis, demands a more people-centric planning approach, especially as we prepare to host yatris and visitors during the Amarnath Yatra. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti’s assurance of a peaceful Yatra and the Divisional Commissioner’s review meeting are welcome gestures, but their outcomes must be tangible.
Internationally, the Iran-Israel confrontation escalated dangerously, drawing the world’s attention and putting Kashmiri students abroad at risk. The J&K Students’ Association’s appeal to the External Affairs Minister and CM Omar Abdullah’s intervention with the Centre showcase the kind of responsive leadership our young diaspora needs in such volatile times. Yet, India’s abstention from the UN vote on Gaza has once again drawn criticism for its silence in the face of human suffering.
Back home, CBI’s registration of a case into the multi-crore flood relief scam is both shocking and overdue. Corruption that deprives citizens during calamities is an act of moral collapse — and the investigation must not end with token arrests or diluted charges.
Meanwhile, we were reminded of our cultural richness and human vulnerability in the same breath. The loss of folk music legend Ustaad Ghulam Nabi Bulbul cast a shadow on the week. His death was more than the passing of an artist — it was a reminder of how fast we are losing the custodians of our oral and artistic traditions.
In contrast, moments of heroism and compassion lit up the week — most notably, the felicitation of an SPO who saved a woman from drowning in the Jhelum, reminding us that amidst chaos, there still exist stories of courage, empathy, and humanity.
Elsewhere, TAAI’s “Rally for the Valley” campaign, echoed by initiatives like the Eco Tourism Society’s MoU with Bharat CSR Network, signal renewed interest in Kashmir’s tourism and ecological sustainability. Combined with the recent inaugural train journey from Srinagar to Katra, called “remarkable” by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, these signs inspire cautious optimism.
As we observe Father’s Day today, it is fitting to recognize not only personal sacrifices but also the metaphorical fatherhood that public institutions and leaders must embrace — that of care, foresight, and accountability. Leadership is not just about power; it is about guardianship.
Let this week’s stories not just pass as headlines. Let them be read as lessons, warnings, and opportunities — to restore, to reform, and to reimagine Kashmir in its rightful, resilient place on the world’s stage.
— Mushtaq Bala
Editor-in-Chief
Kashmir Pen
