‘Cut Off From the Rest of the World’: Twitter On Kashmir Blackout

With the Kashmir communication blackout stretching over 2 days, lack of contact has left those outside worried.

With the Indian government’s move to revoke Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, social media has been abuzz with trying to understand how the Kashmiris, themselves, are taking this.

However, there has been virtually no communication from Kashmiris on what is happening on the ground due to the blackout imposed in state.

“Communication Blackout”

August 6, 2019. Kashmir has now been cut off from the rest of the world for more than two days. No one knows what’s been happening there. Kashmiri media has been silenced.

— Mirza Waheed (@MirzaWaheed) August 6, 2019

A Twitter user wrote, “ Kashmir has now been cut off from the rest of the world for more than two days. No one knows what’s been happening there.”

To those asking, no we have not been able to reach our loved ones in #Kashmir

The Indian government is relying on the communication blackout in the valley and the house arrests of journalists to ensure that no one sees or hears the bloodshed in the region. /1 📷by Zarina Teli pic.twitter.com/NxttwfVYR0

— Nanky Rai (@NankyRai) August 6, 2019

Foremost thing at this moment is to be in touch with Kashmiri people. Work is required to pressurize govt to uplift blackout of communication. People outside Kashmir our in panic abt well being of their kith and kin. @SaketGokhale

— Farina Fazal (@farinafazal) August 6, 2019

Some have even suggested that “ Work is required to pressurize govt to uplift blackout of communication” in the state.

How sad that nearly 24 hours after India made a monumental decision about Kashmir, the voices of those most affected by that decision-Kashmiris-haven't been heard, because so many of them are under a communication blackout imposed by the ongoing security lockdown. #Article370

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) August 6, 2019

The very fact that a day after the "historic" move to scrap #Article370 in #Kashmir we don't know how Kashmiris in blackout are doing, thinking or feeling, is enough proof of how repressive this act is.

— Rohini Mohan (@rohini_mohan) August 6, 2019

One of the major points of concern from the communication blackout is the lack of information regarding the decision taken by the Indian government. A Twitter user said, “we don't know how Kashmiris in blackout are doing, thinking or feeling,”

Then why total media blackout in Kashmir? I'm sure the locals would be looking to share their joy over social media.

— Ausaf Ur Rehman (@ausie13) August 6, 2019

‘Thoughts and Prayers With People of Kashmir’

Twitterati wondered why “The world is so silent no country has questioned this oppression yet”.

It’s so scary to think that there is still literally no contact with Kashmir. It’s like a complete black out there and we don’t even know if they are ok? The world is so silent no country has questioned this oppression yet 💔#KashmirBleeds #kashmir

— Mehran Khan (@mehrankhan89) August 6, 2019

First: To evacuate all the tourists & non Kashmiris from the valley & then this black out & curfew with heavy troops with added Radio silence from the government. History tells us us this is a recipe for a horrific disaster. My thought & prayers with the people of #Kashmir.

— Tamanna (@tamannasharma) August 6, 2019

Sleep feels so evasive again tonight thinking what #Kashmiris in #kashmir would be dealing this moment, how those outside are coping, not knowing how their dear ones are amid all this upturning of life. 24 hours of communication blackout. No news comes or goes #StandwithKashmir

— Kalamwalibai اکشِتا (@AkshitaNagpal) August 5, 2019