Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Kashmir Valley, has always been the mother of rumours. One of the oldest newspapers, Aftab, used to carry a regular column, titled Khabr-e-Zainakadal, written by its late Editor, Kh Sonaullah Bhat. The column surrounded around rumours of the day and interestingly, so many times, the rumours proved to be more accurate than the real news.
As Tuesday, August 05, happens to be the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A and degradation and division of Jammu and Kashmir, with Parliament in session and Prime Minister and Home Minister meeting the President of the country ahead of the day, rumours are afloat.
J&K may regain statehood; the elected government of Omar Abdullah may have to step down to facilitate fresh assembly election as a pre-requisite to restoration of statehood; Jammu may get statehood, and Kashmir will continue to function as UT; South Kashmir may be part of Jammu State, while Centre, and north Kashmir will function as UT without assembly.
And the wildest rumour is that India may attack and reclaim Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“I’ve heard every possible permutation & combination about what to expect in J&K tomorrow so let me stick my neck out and say nothing will happen tomorrow – fortunately nothing bad will happen but unfortunately nothing positive will happen either. I’m still optimistic about something positive for J&K in this monsoon session of Parliament but not tomorrow. And no, I haven’t had any meetings or conversations with people in Delhi. This is just a gut feeling. Let’s see this time tomorrow, responding to the rumours, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah put this on record on his X account.
As rightly put forth by the Chief Minister, there may not be any truth in these rumours but given the past experiences, people are having their fingers crossed.
“Ahead of August 05, 2019, the rumours regarding abrogation of Article 370 were buzzing all over. Majority of the people believed in these rumours and stored eatables for atleast a month. They were proven right. So this time too, I am not going to dismiss all the rumours, some of these could be true,” said a senior journalist who didn’t want to be named.
“Trath peyan saersi (let everything be hit by lightning), Ase kus soauch chu kansihund (who has done us any favour), Assi gassi panun kami duh chalun (we should be able to earn our livelihood),” said Mohad Sabir, who sells “masala” (Kashmiri snack) on boulevard road.
It may be recalled here that ruling NC, its ally Congress along with PDP and JKPC have been demanding restoration of statehood from the day one. In October 2024, the J&K Cabinet passed a resolution for statehood but the step was opposed by the PDP and JKPC saying it was fishy as instead of the Cabinet, the resolution should have come from the joint House (Assembly).
