Kashmir must face new reality, says Bilal Gani Lone

Former Hurriyat leader Bilal Gani Lone has said Kashmiris must accept the new political reality and adapt to changing times. In an interview with Frontline's The Kashmir Notebook, Lone discussed his shift from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference to electoral politics, arguing that Kashmir's political and economic concerns must be addressed by Kashmiris themselves.

Lone criticised the political choices made by Kashmiri leaders over the past two decades, saying they had failed the people. He pointed to political fatigue among the younger generation and the impact of prolonged conflict on the region. The conversation also covered the current political debates around Article 370 and the loss of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

Lone's remarks come as Kashmir's political landscape undergoes significant changes, with former separatists increasingly participating in mainstream electoral processes. He stressed the need for Kashmiris to take charge of their own future rather than relying on external actors.