The Kashmir Series, Part 1: L-G Manoj Sinha clears air on J&K statehood, polls and domicile

"In Jammu and Kashmir, there are no restrictions on political activity, holding dialogue or strengthening democracy. But anti-national activity will not be allowed. The dignity of every citizen will be protected," Manoj Sinha, Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir said.

August 5, 2021 marked two years since the Union government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the radical step of ending the ambiguity over the status of Jammu and Kashmir. It did so by abrogating Article 370 and bifurcating the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new Union Territories consisting of Jammu and Kashmir as one entity and Ladakh as another. The Modi government's decision radically altered the Kashmir chessboard both nationally and internationally. To get an assessment of the mood in Kashmir and whether the Modi government's game-plan was working, last month India Today's Group Editorial Director (Publishing) Raj Chengappa travelled across the Valley interviewing a cross-section of prominent individuals and ordinary citizens.