Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to wage a united war against terrorism, its eco-system, and drug addiction. This call—though not new in its essence—resonates with renewed urgency and unprecedented clarity. His message goes beyond the ceremonial, offering a hard reality check to those who still think the fight against terrorism is the domain of security forces alone. It is not. It is a war that can only be won when every citizen, every community, and every institution becomes a stakeholder. The past few years have witnessed a visible transformation in the Union Territory. The stones have disappeared from the hands of the youth, replaced by pens, laptops, and business ideas. Hartal calendars that once crippled civic life have been pushed aside by schedules of global events and development initiatives. Life in Kashmir has begun to resemble, however slowly, the ordinary rhythms of other parts of India. That shift didn’t come easy. It came with sacrifice—by soldiers, police personnel, political leaders, and above all, ordinary citizens. Yet, as the LG rightly pointed out, the challenge is far from over. While visible signs of violence have ebbed, the invisible infrastructure that sustains terrorism—radicalisation, drug money, cross-border propaganda, and logistical support—remains entrenched. It is this deeply embedded ecosystem that the administration is now determined to eliminate. And that cannot be accomplished by force alone. What is needed is a civil resistance—one that makes terrorism socially, morally, and emotionally unacceptable. Every parent must dissuade their child from the path of hatred. Every teacher must inculcate critical thinking and tolerance. Every religious leader must denounce the perversion of faith. Every mohalla, village, and town must stand up and say: Not in our name. This fight also overlaps with another silent killer—drug addiction. The nexus between drugs and terror is no longer speculative. Pakistan’s narco-terror strategy has wreaked havoc on Kashmiri youth. The administration’s anti-drug campaigns must be backed by strong community action, especially in rural and border areas where trafficking networks are active. Rehabilitation, education, and employment—not mere policing—are the real antidotes. The LG’s assertion that “we do not believe in buying peace, but in establishing peace” is both timely and powerful. Jammu and Kashmir does not need temporary calm. It needs permanent peace anchored in justice and accountability. The recent decision to provide government jobs to victims of terrorism is a long-overdue step in that direction. For decades, families who lost their loved ones to Pakistan-sponsored terror were abandoned by the system. Correcting that historic injustice will restore faith in the institutions of democracy. The time has come to redefine patriotism in Jammu and Kashmir. It is not only about saluting the flag, but about standing up to the forces that seek to tear it down. Terrorism thrives in shadows. It is only when people walk together in the light that those shadows begin to vanish. Let that light spread. Let the people rise. Let this be the final battle.
