Adv Ashok Bhan calls for renewing political, emotional bonds with Kashmir

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20 Feb 2026

Srinagar, Feb 19: Senior Supreme Court lawyer and apex bar leader Ashok Bhan said there is no “magic formula” or “single stroke solution” to untangle a conflict rooted in layered history, identity, geopolitics, trauma, and deep mistrust. In a candid address at the Kashmir (Policy & Strategy) Group’s executive meeting, Bhan said that since the region’s accession to India in 1947, Kashmir’s trajectory has been shaped by pivotal events, including the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah, several India-Pakistan wars, militancy, cross-border terrorism, and the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. He said any meaningful resolution must be layered, inclusive, and rooted in principles of democracy, justice, development, and reconciliation. He added that the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, which changed Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional relationship with India, was perceived by many as a unilateral rupture, despite government claims of fostering integration and development. To bridge this trust deficit, Bhan advocated for restoring political confidence through the full and timely restoration of statehood and the conduct of free, fair, and transparent Assembly elections. He called for strengthening local governance institutions, such as Panchayats and municipal bodies. “Empowering local elected representatives could serve as a foundation for political dialogue between New Delhi and Kashmir,” he said. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion that “Dil Ki Doori Aur Delhi Se Doori Mitaani Hai”, underscoring the importance of bridging emotional and political gaps. The SC lawyer further said that reconciliation extends beyond politics to address the region’s deep emotional wounds. He underscored the importance of truth-telling and reconciliation, calling for the establishment of a structured Truth and Reconciliation Commission similar to post-apartheid processes in South Africa. Such a commission, he argued, could help address the pain of communities affected by decades of violence, including the exiled Kashmiri Pandits and Muslim families caught in militancy. Addressing the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, Adv Bhan reiterated that their return must be supported by security guarantees, economic rehabilitation, and social integration. He rejected segregation as a solution. “Their presence is not merely demographic; it is civilisational,” he said, adding that Kashmiriyat is a shared cultural identity that cannot be revived without their inclusion. Bhan also highlighted the threat of radicalisation fueled by propaganda, external interference, and online networks. He proposed a societal approach involving educational reforms emphasising pluralism, youth engagement through sports and entrepreneurship, media literacy programs, and fostering moderate religious voices. The SC lawyer outlined a pragmatic roadmap: restore democratic processes and statehood, facilitate safe return and reconciliation, maintain security while normalising civil life, and engage diplomatically with neighbouring countries without compromising sovereignty. “Peace in Kashmir will emerge not from a single breakthrough but through consistent, patient, and inclusive governance,” Bhan said. “Kashmir has to move from being a symbol of conflict to a testament of reconciliation and peace.”