International Journal of Kashmir Studies (IJKS)

Abstract: The abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in August 2019 marked a watershed moment in the constitutional history of modern India. This paper undertakes a comprehensive doctrinal and analytical evaluation of the executive orders, Presidential notifications, and legislative procedures utilized to effectuate this structural change. The authors explore the delicate balance between parliamentary supremacy, cooperative federalism, and the specific autonomy pacts enshrined during the accession era. By examining ongoing constitutional petitions filed before the Supreme Court of India, the research deconstructs arguments surrounding constituent assembly concurrence, the scope of Article 356 during governor's rule, and the alteration of state boundaries without legislative consultation. Furthermore, the study analyzes the comparative jurisprudence of sub-national autonomies across diverse federal systems globally, offering insights into how exceptional state powers intersect with democratic governance. The paper argues that judicial review must rigorously interrogate the procedural propriety and normative integrity of executive power assertions to preserve constitutionalism and protect minority federal rights in pluralistic democracies.

Abstract: The outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, but its ramifications were uniquely compounded in regions characterized by pre-existing political volatility, militarized infrastructure, and intermittent communication shutdowns like Jammu and Kashmir. This empirical study investigates the resilience of public hospital networks, primary healthcare clinics, and emergency response mechanisms during the initial surges of the coronavirus outbreak. Drawing upon hospital admission data, epidemiological modeling, and qualitative interviews with frontline physicians, nurses, and administrative planners, the authors assess the acute bottlenecks encountered in oxygen supply chains, intensive care unit (ICU) bed capacities, and personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution. The research also explores the socio-psychological burdens borne by medical personnel operating under prolonged stress and examines the disruptions in routine non-COVID medical care, maternal health services, and chronic disease management. The paper concludes with actionable policy recommendations for strengthening disaster-preparedness frameworks, investing in decentralized rural health infrastructure, and ensuring uninterrupted telemedicine services during public health emergencies in fragile geopolitical zones.

Abstract: In the contemporary global knowledge economy, high-speed internet connectivity functions as a vital prerequisite for commercial enterprise, education, financial transactions, and civic participation. In 2020, amidst the compounding pressures of pandemic lockdowns and severe communication restrictions, businesses and educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir experienced unprecedented digital isolation due to throttled 2G mobile data speeds. This paper examines the severe economic fallout on local IT startups, handicraft exporters, e-learning platforms, and freelance digital workers. Through a mixed-methods survey of 300 business proprietors and tech entrepreneurs across Srinagar and Jammu, the authors quantify revenue losses, supply chain logjams, and the exodus of digital talent to metropolitan hubs outside the region. Furthermore, the study analyzes innovative grassroots adaptation strategies, such as physical courier-based digital syncing and offline-first software solutions deployed by local innovators. The paper advocates for recognizing internet access as a fundamental socioeconomic right and outlines policy blueprints for resilient digital infrastructure development.

Abstract: Political consciousness in Kashmir has evolved through distinct ideological phases, shaped profoundly by anti-feudal struggles against the Dogra monarchy, anti-colonial currents across British India, and post-partition geopolitical realignments. This historical investigation traces the trajectory of indigenous political thought, analyzing pamphlets, newspapers, memoirs, and legislative assembly debates spanning nearly a century. The authors examine the intellectual contributions of early reformists, labor leaders, and nationalist thinkers who conceptualized regional autonomy, social justice, and self-determination. Special attention is devoted to the shifting vocabulary of political dissent—transitioning from religious reform movements to secular socialist ideologies, and subsequently to modern rights-based discourses. The study evaluates how external interventions and internal schisms fractured unified political platforms, leading to ideological polarization. By contextualizing contemporary political attitudes within this rich historical genealogy, the authors argue that enduring political stability in Kashmir cannot be engineered solely through administrative restructuring, but requires deep engagement with the historical memory, dignity, and political aspirations of its people.

Abstract: The Pir Panjal mountain range serves as a profound cultural and linguistic bridge connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu division and neighboring Himalayan ecosystems. This geographical expanse harbors a rich repository of oral folklore, including epic ballads (such as *Lal Ded* couplets and *Wanwun* wedding chants), pastoral romances, seasonal harvest songs, and mystical folk tales transmitted across generations by traditional bards (*Bands* and *Mirasis*). This research paper documents and analyzes these endangered oral traditions, exploring how they encode ecological wisdom, moral philosophy, intercommunal harmony, and indigenous resistance to imperial oppression. Based on extensive field recordings conducted across remote hamlets in Poonch, Rajouri, and Shopian, the authors transcribe and translate key vernacular folk narratives. The study highlights the threats posed by rapid urbanization, modern mass media, and generational displacement to this intangible cultural heritage. The authors advocate for systematic archival digitization, school curriculum integration, and cultural patronage programs to ensure the survival of Pir Panjal's vibrant folklore.

Abstract: The Line of Control (LoC) dividing Jammu and Kashmir remains one of the most heavily militarized de facto borders in the world. Between 2018 and 2020, the region witnessed an unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations, artillery shelling, and localized skirmishes, resulting in severe civilian casualties, displacement of border-dwelling communities, and destruction of agrarian infrastructure. This article provides a rigorous strategic assessment of these cross-LoC hostilities, examining military escalation doctrines, tactical intelligence reports, and diplomatic communications between India and Pakistan. The authors evaluate the humanitarian suffering inflicted upon populations residing in border districts such as Poonch, Kupwara, Uri, and Baramulla, focusing on the acute lack of underground bunker shelters, disrupted schooling, and psychological trauma. Furthermore, the study analyzes the breakdown of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and cross-LoC trade routes established in 2005. The paper concludes by emphasizing that sustainable regional security necessitates reviving the 2003 ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit, instituting joint military hotline mechanisms, and prioritizing the safety of non-combatant border residents.

Abstract: Kashmiri saffron (*Crocus sativus*), cultivated primarily in the Karewa soils of Pampore, is renowned worldwide for its rich aroma, deep red color, and high medicinal potency, earning it the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) certification in 2020. However, despite its unparalleled quality, local saffron growers have long faced economic distress due to climate change, erratic rainfall, urban encroachment on saffron-bearing lands, and rampant adulteration in international spice markets. This empirical paper investigates the impact of the National Saffron Mission and GI tagging on safeguarding authentic Kashmiri saffron against counterfeit competitors. Through structured interviews with 250 saffron farmers, agricultural scientists, and spice exporters, the authors evaluate the efficacy of modern irrigation sprinklers, automated grading laboratories, and direct online marketing portals. The study reveals that while GI certification provides vital legal protection and enhances export branding, sustained grower profitability requires strict anti-adulteration enforcement, institutional credit support, and climate-resilient farming techniques.

Abstract: The sudden closure of schools, colleges, and universities in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic compelled educational institutions worldwide to transition rapidly toward online teaching methodologies. In Jammu and Kashmir, this digital transition coincided with severe mobile internet throttling (restricted to 2G speeds), intermittent power outages, and economic hardships among rural families. This study explores the structural efficacy, pedagogical bottlenecks, and psychological impacts of remote online learning on students, teachers, and parents. Utilizing an online and telephonic questionnaire administered to 400 secondary school and university educators, the authors document widespread student disengagement, inability to access video-conferencing lectures, digital fatigue, and widening educational disparities between urban and remote mountainous districts. The research highlights innovative offline teaching adaptations, such as community tuition pods and radio-broadcast lessons. The paper concludes by recommending hybrid pedagogical models, subsidized digital hardware grants, and robust broadband infrastructure investments to democratize educational access in conflict-affected regions.