Independence Day in Jammu and Kashmir was celebrated with great enthusiasm before 1990, often more vibrantly than in other parts of India. Our elders always say that Independence Day was a festive day in every street, and public places were adorned with the tricolour. Schools held cultural programmes, and community gatherings reflected a spirit of unity. Insurgency began in 1990 in Kashmir, and the celebration of national days declined sharply and, in many areas, virtually ended.
Today’s generation, particularly those between 20 and 29 years of age, have little or no memory of these grand celebrations because they grew up amid violence, unrest, and propaganda that overshadowed national sentiment. For decades, slogans and imagery opposed to the Indian flag were more visible than the flag itself in public spaces. From 1990 until 2014, narratives became deeply ingrained in the minds of Kashmiri youth. This was not their fault, they were shaped by years of misinformation and misleading narratives that distorted their understanding of national identity.
The transformation in recent years is remarkable. Many of those who once engaged in stone-pelting now openly embrace the Indian tricolour. Without force or coercion, they proudly display the flag on their social media profiles, create videos and reels with it, and participate in public celebrations. The national flag now waves across the Valley, adorning streets, markets, schools, and neighbourhoods. Rallies and processions decorated with the tricolour move through the busiest roads, while students and residents decorate their surroundings with flags.
The atmosphere in Kashmir reflects pride and a renewed sense of unity and belonging. Those above 18 years of age may still recall fragments of the celebrations from before the insurgency, but for almost three decades public functions on Independence Day were heavily securitized, with participation limited to a few officials. Schools and institutions often closed to avoid being targeted. Separatist groups called for shutdowns, and the national flag became a target of intimidation. The day lost its community-driven vibrancy and became a guarded event conducted under the shadow of conflict. Kashmir was silent on August 15—what was once a festival of unity had become just another holiday.
History shows that significant political events can reshape social realities. The abrogation of Article 370 marked such a turning point for Kashmir and India. It reduced violence, restored the celebration of national days, and strengthened integration and sovereignty. Public spaces long avoided on Independence Day were reclaimed for celebrations. People came out without fear, trauma, or pressure not only to mark the occasion but also to assert their aspirations for jobs, tourism, development, peace, and prosperity. The government’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign played a vital role in reintroducing the national flag into everyday life. For the first time in decades, the flag became a familiar and accepted symbol across the Valley.
The Har Ghar Tiranga movement transformed the visual and emotional landscape of Independence Day in Kashmir. Massive 108-feet-tall flags in several districts stand as permanent monuments of patriotism, illuminated at night and visible from great distances. Homes, shops, vehicles, and even boats on Dal Lake display the Tiranga. On social media, young Kashmiris share images of themselves carrying the flag to mountain peaks, lakesides, and heritage sites, turning Independence Day into both a physical and digital celebration of belonging.
In many homes, children start the morning by singing the national anthem and patriotic songs, marking the beginning of a new era of national awareness. This transformation is especially significant because, for years, even the thought of displaying the national flag in public would have been unthinkable for fear of reprisals.
The present-day enthusiasm among Kashmiri youth is unprecedented. From silence to celebration, Independence Day has become a prominent and participatory event. In every block of the Valley, people gather in large numbers, schoolchildren, women, and elderly citizens alike, waving the tricolour and singing the national anthem. Educational institutions hold week-long programmes in the lead-up to August 15, including debates, essay competitions, cultural performances, and sports events.
The Lal Chowk clock tower, once a symbol of political contestation, now proudly hosts the national flag in a public ceremony attended by thousands. For years, only the army celebrated national days in Kashmir; now, the people themselves are the main participants. Whether this change is permanent remains to be seen, but the present moment tells a clear story: the people of Kashmir are embracing the change.
This shift will influence children at home, in schools, and across society. The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign has been central to this change, not only as a government initiative but as a movement that people have willingly adopted. Its success lies in making the Tiranga a part of everyday life, not just an occasional symbol. The presence of the flag in homes and neighbourhoods normalizes patriotism and redefines public space in the Valley. Kashmir today feels, especially on Independence Day, as though it has gained freedom from violence, victimization, favouritism, and injustice.
This is not about praising governments or favouring political parties—it is an observation grounded in daily life. Freed from radicalization, corruption, and systemic injustice, many citizens feel justice is being delivered through policies and schemes that are making a tangible difference.
Happy Independence Day to those seeing and recognising their flag for the first time, and to all who celebrate this day with pride as Indians. The flag is not just a display, it is a symbol of sacrifice, honouring the thousands of martyrs who gave their lives to keep it flying. As a Kashmiri, I take pride in the progress we have made united under this flag. Over the last five decades, countless soldiers and civilians have given their lives for this unity. Let us not hide the truth from our children, or allow others to mock or distort it. The colours of our flag became more vibrant after the abrogation of Article 370, as more youth wave it openly and share it proudly online. This is happening for the first time in decades, driven by growing awareness of our national identity, which was once suppressed by years of violence and unrest.
Kashmir is now blooming with the colours of the national flag. Rallies reminiscent of pre-1990 celebrations now march towards peace and nationalism. Locals feel pride when hoisting the flag, and the younger generation uploads it as their social media profile picture. Schools, offices, and community groups join in singing the national anthem across the Valley. The sight of the 108-feet-tall flags across districts is a powerful visual reminder of patriotism and a signal that the Valley is reclaiming its national spirit. The flag is no longer a rare sight but a daily presence, fluttering proudly in every corner. It is understood as representing the hopes and aspirations of the people, holding a special place in the emotions and psyche of Kashmiris.
The national anthem, song, and flag are symbols of our shared history, sacrifice, and love for the nation. They represent the unity and integrity that bind us. The towering presence of the flag in Kashmir serves as a constant reminder of our duties towards building the nation. This unity in diversity sends a clear message that we reject violence and embrace peace, prosperity, and development. My flag is a tribute to those sacrifices, and as a Kashmiri, I feel pride in recognising the achievements we have made under it.
The flag ceremony in the Valley nurtures young minds, reminding them that those who once sold them a false narrative were exploiting them for personal gain. People who against development, they rob children of education, youth of opportunity, and communities of peace. The abrogation of Article 370 dismantled many of the constraints and structures that had allowed violence and terrorism to persist. People have come to understand the value of peace and the extent to which they were deceived in the past.
Today, Independence Day in Kashmir symbolises peace and stability, marking a decisive departure from a violent past. By hoisting the national flag, participating in rallies, and embracing national symbols, Kashmiris are expressing their belonging to the larger Indian nation. This growing sense of loyalty fosters unity and solidarity among the Valley’s diverse communities. Independence Day has become an occasion not only to celebrate but to strengthen national cohesion. This change signals an evolution in public attitudes, with a greater willingness to participate in nation-building. The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, more than any other initiative, has turned the act of displaying the flag into a personal statement of pride and identity for Kashmiris.
Over the past thirty years, Kashmir was trapped in extremism without a shared sense of nationhood, and its youth were led astray. Now, with the promotion of national activities, children and young people are becoming aware of their flag and national identity. Had these efforts begun earlier, the story might have been different. But the present change offers hope for a more inclusive, peaceful, and united future. We are duty-bound to hold deep respect for all our national symbols, with the foremost among them being the Tiranga—a flag that now flies freely, visibly, and proudly across Kashmir.

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