Today’s situation shares a worrying parallel with the period that led to East Pakistan’s secession, given the resentment in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the establishment for exploiting their resources.

Kashmiri youngsters are packed off to jails in and outside J&K on trivial grounds while the rest pay with their lives and liberty to maintain a sullen silence.

How did the so-called 'mother of democracy' get to this abhorrent point? What will it take for my country to awaken?

Since the Indian constitution was gutted in 2019, every institution meant to uphold and safeguard our rights has been subverted with impunity in Kashmir.

Every event like the G20 that hosts foreign dignitaries doesn’t only exclude the inhabitants of a city that is put on display like a treasured trophy. It comes at a heavy cost that they are expected to pay.

While Patel’s conman act has been exposed, the bigger con – of presenting the situation in J&K as normal by creating a parallel and make-believe Kashmir – stands in stark contrast to the actual situation.