The recent tragic attack in Kashmir has left the nation heartbroken. The pain is deep, the anger is real, and the sorrow is overwhelming. But in the midst of this, there is a dangerous narrative emerging – a call to boycott Kashmir. We must resist it.

Terrorism’s oldest trick is division. It thrives by turning communities against one another, by sowing seeds of suspicion and hatred. If we boycott Kashmir, we aren’t punishing the perpetrators –  we are punishing the very people who who belong to Bharat. We are doing exactly what the enemies of India want us to do: to turn our backs on our own.

Let’s think –
When Mumbai’s lifeline, the local trains, were torn apart by bombs, did we abandon the city? After the horrors of 26/11, did we declare Mumbai untouchable? When Akshardham Temple was attacked, did we boycott visiting? When bombings ripped through Sri Lanka, did we stop loving its beaches, its culture, its people? No. We mourned, we stood strong, and we rebuilt. Because we know that a terrorist’s bullet does not represent a people’s heart.

And Kashmir is no different.

In fact, after the attack, across India – all communities roared together in outrage. Muslim organizations, scholars, and ordinary citizens strongly condemned the act of terror, calling it against the very spirit of India. For the very first time, from mosque of Kashmir, Maulanas condemned the attack which is very rare, since we only know about such announcement in 90s when it was against the Kashmiri Hindus during the exodus. There was no communal tension, no division – only unity, only one voice: This is not us. This is not India.

It was not Kashmir versus India.  The attack was not about religion ; religion was only used to create division. It was terror versus humanity.

In these moments, it is critical to ask – Who benefits if we boycott Kashmir?

Not India. Not Kashmir. Not People of Kashmir. Not peace. The only ones who smile in the shadows are the ones sitting across the border – extremists, terror groups, and yes, even elements within the Pakistan Army’s deep state machinery. They would love nothing more than to see Kashmir isolated by India, to see Indian tourists stop coming, to see hotels shuttered, to see local businesses collapse, to see young Kashmiris lose hope again. And they take advantage of this situation once again and spoil all the good work done in last few years

Economic suffocation would push vulnerable youth towards radicalization. It would give anti-India propaganda more fuel: “Look, India has abandoned you!” Is that what we want? To hand over victories to those who plant bombs in the dark?

No. We will not hand them that victory.

The real Kashmir – the one you meet when you sip kahwa offered by a local, or when a pony owner shares his lunch with you atop a mountain during Kashmir great lakes trek or Tarsar Marsar Lake Trek or Nafran Valley Trek – that Kashmir is calling out to us.

It needs us. Not just to visit, but to send a loud, clear message: “We do not abandon our own. We do not punish the innocent. We stand together.”

Kashmir is a part of our soul. It’s not just about the snowy peaks or the blooming tulips. It’s the poetry of Habba Khatoon, the mysticism of Lal Ded, the hospitality of the Kashmiri people, the scent of the chinars in autumn. It’s woven into the very fabric of India’s spirit. Of course we have to be careful and also an appeal to govt and security agencies that the security is strengthened to that extent that tourists no longer face any kind of fear travelling in our own country

Now more than ever, Kashmir needs tourism, not a boycott. It needs solidarity, not suspicion.

Every ticket booked, every hotel stayed at, every shikara ride taken – is a vote for peace. It’s a message to every child in Kashmir that they belong. That their dreams matter. That we believe in them.

So let’s not let fear dictate our actions. Let’s not let terrorists win by isolating Kashmir. Let’s not hand propaganda victories to Pakistan’s generals.

Instead, let’s do what Indians have always done best – stand tall, stand united, and rebuild stronger than before.

Don’t boycott Kashmir.
Stand with Kashmir.
Stronger than ever.