Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a diverse region with a mosaic of ethnic, religious and linguistic communities. J&K is home to a variety of ethnic, religious and linguistic communities. These communities in J&K include Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and several other ethnic and linguistic communities. The Constitution of India recognises these communities as minorities and provides them with rights and interests in the framework of the Constitution. However, despite these rights, the minorities in J&K face several challenges. There have also been violence and clashes between them and the general public. One must understand that these minorities significantly contribute to the growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir valley, Muslims are in majority in both physical divisions. However, the Jammu Division has a considerable population of Hindus and Buddhists.

For decades, Kashmir has been well-known for its alluring beauty, including breathtaking landscapes and spiritual significance. It’s a place where various religions and cultures (Sufism, Buddhism, etc.) have helped create a pluralistic society. In a pluralistic society, multiple religious groups, depending upon culture and beliefs, maintain the aim to influence policies and work collaboratively in the governing process. All these groups maintain a unique identity and are accepted by fellow groups. Ideally, in a pluralistic society, diverse groups would have more tolerance towards each other and greater acceptance within the society, as seen in Kashmir. Pluralistic ethos prevailing in the society is the bedrock towards making a pluralistic society. The ethos of tolerance and acceptance has been the bedrock of harmonious coexistence in Kashmir, thus allowing varied groups to coexist harmoniously.
Unfortunately, due to foreign-sponsored agendas, religious extremism and terrorism, violence and drug menace, the idea of pluralism in Kashmir was sabotaged. We have seen how the extremist and regressive principles continued to be violently asserted most viciously. The problem with violence is two fold. Firstly, it generates fear and indifference among the masses, denying the ideas of pluralism. Secondly, once unleashed, it spreads like wildfire that can’t be easily controlled. Once upon a time, the social environment was so peaceful and tranquil that Kashmir was often referred to with reverence as “PirVaer” (abode of the saints) and incidents of violence were a few. Drugs provide terrorist handlers with two distinct advantages. First, it is an excellent source of money for them, which helps sustain terrorism. Two, once hooked on drugs, the youth are willing to do anything to satiate their craving for narcotics and hence can easily be exploited to indulge in acts of terrorism. In the past, Pakistan took advantage of the emotional Kashmiri youth who were allured through the propagation of misinformation. They would cross the border, take arms and return to take revenge for the alleged. Consequently, Sufism, which preaches tolerance and spreads love irrespective of religion or race, was labelled as the wrong path. Upon making multiple attempts to misinterpret the Sufi version of Islam, concocted religious literature was disseminated and taught in Jamaat e Islami (JeI) )-run institutions. Meanwhile, the innocent Kashmiri youth fell into the trap of terrorists and their mercenary organizations. Several measures were taken to neutralise the terrorist threat; however, the main culprit was recently caught when these organisations were banned.
Efforts have been made to counter these challenges, including measures to neutralise terrorist threats and ban organisations fueling violence. Embracing cultural inclusivity becomes imperative to bridge gaps and expand opportunities. Education, employment and empowerment emerge as core values in fostering a pluralistic society, enabling economic, social and political transformation. Many positive steps have since been taken, but more needs to be done. No space policy for terrorism is a crucial step in preventing Kashmir from going back into the nineties when terrorism was at its peak. Empowerment, a multifaceted concept encompassing economic, social and political dimensions, can result in a remarkable community transformation. In short, it is time to fully revive our age-old pluralistic ideas and practices wherever they are lacking. Having suffered immensely for quite a long time, the people of Kashmir negate terrorism and religious indifferences to ascend once again. The authorities need to ensure that foreign-sponsored terrorism and illicit organisations do not disturb the normalcy in the region. Kashmiris should work together to protect their society from becoming a haven of criminal and anti-social activities, though the road ahead will be a difficult one requiring sustained efforts. In conclusion, reviving and upholding age-old pluralistic ideas and practices in Jammu and Kashmir is crucial for fostering a peaceful and harmonious coexistence. The region must collectively stand against external influences that seek to disturb normalcy. As the people of Kashmir work together to protect their society, embracing pluralism becomes a moral obligation and a strategic approach for sustained peace and development in the region. It is time that we stand to uphold and fight for the tremendous pluralistic ethos and reclaim them collectively in the given circumstances if we are to live peacefully.