The New Indian Express ·
Odisha Literary Festival 2026: Abrogation of Article 370 restored Kashmir’s past, says ICHR chairperson
BHUBANESWAR: Common Kashmiris never sought independence from India, and the abrogation of Article 370 represents a restoration of the region’s past and a reassertion of its history, said author and ICHR chairperson Prof Raghuvendra Tanwar at the Odisha Literary Festival (OLF) 2026 on Saturday.
Speaking at a session titled ‘Writing on Kashmir: Contested Past, Conflicted Present’, moderated by senior journalist Kaveree Bamzai, Tanwar said Kashmir’s past has never been contested, but several false narratives have been built around the region.
“Show me one line where the common Kashmiri is talking about independence. On the contrary, you have countless reports of people saying Pakistan is a sinking state and there is no question of Kashmir going that side,” Tanwar said.
