Now that year 2025 is fast approaching its end ,we should delve deep into the year 2025.The year 2025 was a year of trials and tribulations as the year in fact grappled with problems, issues and challenges and one can say that the year which is going to end was a mixed bag as it was the year of plus and minus points or the year of successes and weaknesses in Jammu and Kashmir. But despite bring the year of sorrows and challenges the UT charted its course and navigated to safe shore. We can definitely say that 2025 was not only a chapter of a new calendar and a new leaf of history but was full of trials and challenges but the political class ,political parties and last but not the least the people of this border region faced all challenges and issues boldly and at the end of the day came successful.

In 2025 Jammu and Kashmir faced significant trials including heightened counter-terrorism efforts, leading to NIA raids and arrests related to terror funding for groups like TRF, alongside devastating natural calamities like flash floods causing widespread damage and loss of life. Politically challenges persisted with ongoing demands for statehood, while socio-economic, issues like drug abuse among youth continued unabated despite serious efforts of the government to wean away the youth from the drug addiction, alongside debates on policy, all under the shadow of its complex political history and the effects of earlier reorganisations.
Let me outline the tribulations and trials as under—A -Counter -Terror Operations---The NIA conducted raids in August 2025, uncovering foreign funding links for terror groups like the The Resistance Front -TRF implicating Malaysian connections and LeT networks. B—Arrests and Logistical Disruptions----Key operatives, like seasonal teacher Mohammad Yousf Kataria, involved in providing support to terrorist, were arrested in September 2025, highlighting disruption of terrorist infrastructure .C—Ongoing Violence—The region remained the focus of anti-India groups, with incidents like the Pahalgam attack in April 22in 2025bringing renewed security concerns. Natural Disasters—A -Flash Floods—Devastating flash floods struck Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in AUGUST 2025, causing significant destruction, washing away highways, and impacting pilgrims, especially during the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.
Social and Political Landscape---A –Human Rights—Reports showed ongoing issues, including lack of evacuation for border residents and the proliferation of hate speech, with calls for restoring statehood. B—Political Dynamics—Local politics, including discussions led by figures like Omar Abdullah navigated complex issues like liquor ban and reservation issue. C---New Government---The year saw the first legislative assembly elections in a decade, with the National Conference NC forming government with Congress, facing intense political debates including disputes over alcohol prohibition and reservation policy. D—Statehood Debate---Calls for J&K’s statehood continued but faced a firm stance from New Delhi, with no immediate progress on changing the UT status. E—Monsoon Mayhem—Blazing border conflicts coincided with devastating flash floods across Jammu and parts of HP causing significant destruction and requiring extensive relief and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by floods. F—Drug Abuse---Youth of Jammu and Kashmir are under the grip of drug addiction as substance abuse particularly opioid use saw an alarming increase ,with youth attributing it to the valley’s difficult conditions ,posing a growing public health crisis .G—Overall Sentiment—Despite these deep challenges ,there were reminders of the regions core spirit ,with efforts to preserve ‘’Kashmiriyat’,the historical culture of tolerance ,syncretic culture and coexistence ,even amidst pain and loss.
Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Jammu and Kashmir’s CM has seen limited progress, with key issues like statehood restoration, liquor ban, and reservation policies unresolved. His leadership is increasingly questioned amid growing frustration over the regions diminished autonomy. In the five months since Omar Abdullah became first chief minister as a UT, there has been little noticeable change in the region .NC won 42 seats in the assembly polls last September, but there has been little by way of action for h9im to take credit, save the step to reverse the academic calendar to bring it in sync with J&K’s climate zones. Shortly after taking office, Abdullah and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo changed the academic calendar from March to November, undoing J&K LG Manoj Sinha’s 2022 order for a ‘’uniform academic calendar ‘’ to align the region with the rest of India.
The government has done little to address major issues raised dur9ing election campaign, such as restoring Article 370, releasing prisoners or return to statehood. Instead, resolutions were passed in the disempowered assembly. Since Supreme Court upheld the central government’s decision to revoke Article 370 in December 2023, the issue has been sidelined, and Abdullah’s focus has shifted to statehood restoration. In the ongoing assembly session PDP MLA Waheed Para criticised the Omar led NC claiming their silence on key issues would harm J&K, which he said has become a ‘’municipality’ with little political power.
Since taking office in October, Abdullah calls for a complete alcohol sales ban in J&K and new reservation policy. Three MLA’s namely Mir Mohammad Fayaz PDP, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad AIP, and Ahsan Pardesi NC submitted bills seeking a ban on liquor in the region. The NC now in power, faced opposition due to its change in stance regarding the bills, which sought to prohibit alcohol sales. Abdullah stated that NC did not commit to a liquor ban in its manifesto. The calls for an alcohol ban trace back to NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who rejected the proposal, fearing it would discourage tourism. In fact, as the year 2025 comes to close, the 2025 leaves behind memories of triumphs and negativities. .J&K experienced formidable odds. There were man-made and natural calamities which troubled the people and government. The fact Kashmiriysat standing tall and shines amid terrorist acts and violence to tarnish it. Although it dimmed during the peak of militancy but it did not fade away and it continues even to this day. Kashmiriyat is more than merely a regional identity. It symbolises tolerance. composite culture of coexistence and syncretic culture. It has evolved over centuries but became weak during hay days of militancy but thank God it shines today and has earned applause in the world. All, said and done, it can be said that 2025 was the year of trials, tribulations, challenges and some good moments and thigs as well. Just parting from 2025 and stepping into 2026, we resolve to work harder for the progress and prosperity as well as peace. Like, all previous years 2025 as well was a mixed bag of good and bad and we should learn from the trials and challenges that we faced in 2025 and carve a new year of resolve and optimism as well as positivity.

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