Srinagar, Aug. 24 -- There was a time when carrying the Tiranga openly in large parts of Kashmir could invite a stare, a threat, perhaps worse. Today, the same Valley produces kilometre-long Tiranga processions, schoolchildren carrying the national flag, government employees marching beside policemen, youngsters taking selfies with it and thousands walking along Srinagar's Boulevard with the Tricolour held high.

For the BJP, these are irresistible pictures. Almost orgasmic. For a Kashmiri, these are nothing but changing colors of a people known for being the most refined opportunists in the region. Lawrence described Kashmiris as 'timid and effeminate'. He also remarked they are 'very unstable and very prone to give undue weight to rumou...