Srinagar, April 16: Six months ago, the streets of Kashmir echoed with a chant that resonated across political circles and ignited public imagination—“Zyon Ho Zyon Ho.” It wasn’t just a slogan; it was an anthem of hope, a cry for revival, and a campaign hook coined by PDP’s Iltija Mufti during the 2024 Assembly elections.
Soon after it went viral on social media, workers from other parties began using it in their respective election rallies.
Popularized during a time when Kashmiris were yearning for representation and dignity, “Zyon Ho Zyon Ho” symbolized a deep emotional connection. It spoke of survival, resistance, and a collective desire in a region that had been governed directly from New Delhi for five long years following the abrogation of Article 370.
From South to North Kashmir, the slogan caught on like wildfire.
Campaign rallies turned into mass gatherings. The slogan, paired with folk tunes and viral social media clips, spread rapidly.
But six months later, what remains of ‘Zyon Ho Zyon Ho’?
For many, the fire has dimmed. Daily wagers still protest, youth still wait for jobs, many areas still suffer from power outages, and for many, the situation remains unchanged.
“It was a beautiful emotion. But emotion doesn’t bring employment,” says Gulzar Ahmad, a youth worker from Budgam who had chanted “Zyon Ho” in a previous NC rally. Today, he stands at Hyderpora Chowk, waiting for someone to hire him for the day.
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Culturally, the slogan lives on. It has found a place in wedding songs and Instagram reels. Local bands have adopted it, giving it new interpretations.
But politically, the slogan is now mocked by many.
“‘Zyon Ho’ was a call to stand up, to rise again. We have started that journey. It’s not over in six months,” said a party functionary from Budgam.
Now the real question is whether “Zyon Ho Zyon Ho” will be remembered as the battle cry of a new beginning—or just a brilliant campaign gimmick that faded once power was secured.
