ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the fallout of the Kashmir Accord and Sheikh Abdullah’s struggle to re-establish his sway over his people. I have argued that the Sheikh’s popularity reduced substantially in the post-accord period, but it was only due to the absence of an organized opposition by a credible leadership and the inability of the people to understand the true nature of the accord that Abdullah continued to dominate the political scene in Kashmir. During this period, the Sheikh appeared to be more insecure in light of emerging powerful dissident voices and pressures exerted by the center. He responded by curbing the liberal spaces and restricting the freedom of expression and also by invoking identity and autonomy politics. In the whole process, religious radicalism came in handy for the new generation of educated youth – disgusted with corrupt administration and discredited leadership – to take refuge in. With a strong secessionist mindset, they refused to accept any enforced status quo.
