Voices from Kashmir valley echo the same narrative when asked about delimitation. The mood is of marginalisation and upholding the spirit of Kashmir’s centuries-old spirit of indigenous secularism, better known as Kashmiriyat.

“What difference does it make for us? We only hope for a better tomorrow. This has to be done with the people’s will; delimitation cannot imposed on us through President’s rule. We are not against a Hindu becoming the Chief Minister. But, any unpopular decision will only make things worse for the common man,” says 62-year-old carpet trader Azaan Lone.

However, Anil Kajuria, a wholesale dry fruit trader in Jammu’s Udhampur, says, “Centre’s decision on delimitation is the best thing that could happen to J&K. It’s time power is shifted away from some dynastic parties in Kashmir who have looted the state dry. It’s time for us to show the power of unity and show Kashmir its place.”

India’s asymmetric federalism seems to have found a soft target in Jammu and Kashmir.