In this episode of Unraveled with Marvi Sirmed, we take a deep dive into the unexpected dynamics of the ongoing state elections in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Five years after the Modi government’s controversial revocation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its special status, Kashmir’s political landscape has undergone significant transformations. Amidst an atmosphere of disenfranchisement and heavy militarization, we are witnessing an unprecedented voter turnout and the surprising participation of former separatist groups in the electoral process. What is driving this change? What does this surge in electoral participation signify about the current political sentiments in the region? And what are the implications for Kashmir’s future? To explore these questions, host Marvi Sirmed is joined by Anuradha Bhasin, managing editor of the Kashmir Times and author of ‘A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir After 370’. Bhasin provides a compelling analysis of the factors influencing these elections, the challenges faced by journalists and human rights defenders, and the broader geopolitical ramifications for South Asia. Join us as we unravel the complex layers of Kashmir’s evolving political reality and discuss potential pathways to peace and reconciliation in this highly volatile region.