Scrapping of special status of J&K spawns jokes, memes on social media; offensive say many

The abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir has spawned a flurry of jokes and memes linked to Article 370 on the social media, with some bordering on being insensitive.

From Facebook and WhatsApp to Twitter and Instagram, many netizens have in the past few days shared posters or memes themed on revoking of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that among other restrictions, disallowed non-Kashmiris from having land rights in the Valley.

Many social media users have said that their feeds on Facebook and Twitter are showing jokes on Article 370 and "making light of an otherwise sensitive and serious issue".

A poster of a fictional developer in Kashmir, doing rounds on Facebook, reads: 'Plots and plots -- build your house with cheap installments, pay Rs 11,000 and get possession of your land, in Anantnag, Pulwama and Baramullah'.

Another user on Facebook, shared a post in Hindi, "Someone please find the rate of land near Kashmir, rates in Kashmir must be high."
A Facebook user, in response to a make-believe real estate poster, said, "Please get it booked for me to. Route cleared for getting a bride. A wave of excitement among unmarried youths."
Another user, @Shree4Bharath, replied, "But you get Rs.786/- as special discount, if you are a Hindu."
Twitter user @sweep_deep, however, did not appreciate such content being spread on the social media, "Hate content, rescinding of art 370, 35 proliferating in WhatsApp messages. What are these loonies aiming for - Only polarisation of Hindu votes or the more sinister plot -land grab of Kashmir minus its people?"