Indian State Intensifies Cultural Erasure in Kashmir with Mass Renaming of Educational Institutions and Roads

On August 7th, the Jammu and Kashmir administration issued an order to rename 45 educational institutions and roads after Indian occupation military personnel and other pro-occupation figures.

In addition to this, the renaming extends to a playground, a popular road, and a street link road, further entrenching the Indian state’s efforts to erase Kashmiri identity and history.

The official order, issued by Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma, directs concerned administrative secretaries to promptly amend records to reflect these changes. The Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu have been instructed to personally oversee the renaming process in their respective regions. The Deputy Commissioners are also mandated to organize events to commemorate the renaming of these infrastructure and assets.

This move is part of a broader strategy by the Indian state to impose its narrative on Kashmir, systematically replacing local heritage with symbols of its military occupation. This is not the first time the administration has undertaken such measures. Earlier this year, in January, the administration renamed 33 educational institutions and roads after Indian military personnel, a clear attempt to glorify the oppressors while erasing the true identity of the region.

The renaming of these public spaces is more than just a symbolic act; it represents the Indian state’s ongoing campaign to culturally assimilate Kashmir, rewriting history to legitimize its occupation. Such actions further alienate the Kashmiri population and underscore the systematic efforts to suppress their identity and resistance.