For more than seven decades, the Kashmir conflict has simmered in the shadow of the Indian subcontinent’s political landscape. Born from the partition of British India in 1947, the Kashmir issue has evolved into one of the most volatile and deeply entrenched territorial disputes in modern history. At its core lies the struggle of the Kashmiri people for self-determination, and the persistent and often brutal efforts by the Indian state to suppress dissent, quell separatism, and maintain a firm grip on the region. This article delves into the nature of state-sponsored repression in Indian-administered Kashmir, charting its historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and the devastating impact on the Kashmiri population.



Historical Context: A Disputed Legacy


The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, with a Muslim-majority population, was ruled by a Hindu Maharaja at the time of Partition in 1947. Instead of joining Pakistan or India outright, the Maharaja hesitated. Following an invasion by tribal militias from Pakistan, he acceded to India in return for military assistance, a move that Pakistan rejected, leading to the first Indo-Pak war. The United Nations intervened, calling for a plebiscite that never materialized. Since then, Kashmir has been administered in parts by India and Pakistan, with both claiming the territory in full.


India’s initial promise of autonomy for Kashmir, enshrined in Article 370 of its Constitution, began to erode gradually. Over decades, New Delhi whittled down Kashmir’s special status through legal and political maneuvers. Tensions escalated in the late 1980s when widespread allegations of electoral fraud in the 1987 state elections led to a full-blown armed insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Indian state responded with overwhelming military force, deploying hundreds of thousands of troops and granting them sweeping powers under laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).


Instruments of Repression


1. Militarization and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)


Indian-administered Kashmir is one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world. Estimates suggest there are between 500,000 to 700,000 Indian security personnel deployed in the area. The AFSPA grants them virtual impunity, allowing forces to arrest without warrant, shoot to kill on suspicion, and detain individuals indefinitely.


This legal architecture has fostered a climate of fear and has enabled systemic human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence. Investigations by organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Office have documented numerous cases of state-sponsored violence.


2. Enforced Disappearances and Mass Graves


Since the 1990s, thousands of Kashmiris have disappeared in custody, with human rights groups estimating over 8,000 enforced disappearances. Often, these individuals are never heard from again. In 2008, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and the International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Kashmir revealed the existence of more than 2,700 unmarked mass graves across 55 villages in north Kashmir. These graves are believed to hold the remains of victims of extrajudicial executions.


3. Torture and Arbitrary Detentions


The Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), often referred to as a “lawless law,” allows for detention without charge or trial for up to two years. Under this legislation, thousands have been imprisoned—often activists, journalists, and even minors—without any legal recourse. The torture of detainees is widespread, including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence.


A 2019 report by the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons revealed systematic torture in detention centers, arguing that these practices were not isolated incidents but part of an institutional policy.


4. Curtailing Freedom of Expression and Press


The Indian state has cracked down harshly on press freedom in Kashmir. Journalists are routinely harassed, summoned for questioning, or charged with terrorism-related offenses for merely reporting on human rights abuses. Newspapers face arbitrary bans, and internet shutdowns—especially during periods of unrest—have become a standard tactic to silence dissent and prevent the spread of information.


In 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir Media Policy was introduced, allowing government officials to vet and censor news content and to punish "fake news" without any clear definitions, further stifling journalistic freedom.


August 5, 2019: Revocation of Autonomy


Perhaps the most dramatic recent act of state repression occurred on August 5, 2019, when the Indian government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), unilaterally abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. This move was accompanied by a total communication blackout, mass detentions of political leaders, and a fresh surge in military presence.


The revocation was carried out without any consultation with the Kashmiri people or their representatives. The state was bifurcated into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—effectively placing the region under direct rule from New Delhi. This marked the end of any semblance of federalism and autonomy for Kashmir.


Human Rights Fallout


The aftermath saw the detention of over 5,000 individuals, including former chief ministers, journalists, and youth. Internet and mobile services were cut off for months, devastating businesses, education, and healthcare. The United Nations termed the lockdown and detentions as a form of "collective punishment" and urged India to reverse its actions.


Demographic Engineering and Settler Colonialism


Post-2019, the Indian government has introduced new domicile laws that allow non-Kashmiris to acquire residency rights and government jobs in the region. Critics argue this is a deliberate attempt to alter the demography of the Muslim-majority state—a textbook case of settler colonialism. Drawing parallels to Israeli policies in Palestine, analysts warn that these moves aim to dilute Kashmiri identity and consolidate control through demographic changes.


Silencing Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders


Civil society organizations that document human rights abuses, such as JKCCS and APDP, have faced raids, bank account freezes, and legal threats. In 2021, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the offices of these organizations under the pretext of terror funding. The crackdown has had a chilling effect, with activists operating under constant threat of arrest or worse.


Youth Alienation and Cycles of Violence


The repression has pushed many Kashmiri youth toward radicalization. With peaceful avenues for protest and political participation virtually closed, cycles of violence have intensified. India portrays these youth as "terrorists," justifying further militarization and crackdowns. Yet, the root cause remains the denial of political agency and the violent suppression of aspirations.


Notably, the number of encounters between militants and Indian forces, as well as civilian casualties, have increased since 2019. House demolitions and collective punishment are now increasingly used as tactics against families of suspected militants.


International Silence and Diplomatic Complicity


Despite mounting evidence of repression, much of the international community has remained muted in its criticism of India’s Kashmir policy. Economic and strategic interests, especially for Western powers seeking to counterbalance China, have led to a tacit complicity. Multinational corporations continue to invest in India, and global leaders often praise its democratic credentials while ignoring Kashmir.


However, voices from international civil society, the UN, and some global media outlets continue to raise alarms. The UN Human Rights Office has issued two comprehensive reports (in 2018 and 2019) documenting violations and calling for independent investigations.


Legal Impunity and the Absence of Accountability


A fundamental feature of state-sponsored repression in Kashmir is the culture of impunity. Security forces rarely face prosecution for human rights abuses, and even when courts intervene, political pressure often stalls justice. The Indian judiciary has largely upheld the legality of repressive laws like AFSPA and PSA, contributing to the erosion of rule of law in the region.


Furthermore, Indian media—largely co-opted by state narratives—has played a damaging role by demonizing Kashmiris and labeling dissent as terrorism, thereby shaping public opinion in favor of repression.


Kashmir’s Future: Between Resistance and Despair


Despite the immense repression, the spirit of resistance in Kashmir endures. Civil society, student groups, and diaspora organizations continue to raise awareness and demand justice. Poets, writers, and artists resist through creative expression, even under censorship.


Yet, the human cost remains staggering. Generations of Kashmiris have grown up amidst conflict, curfews, and funerals. The trauma, economic stagnation, and psychological toll are immeasurable. The Indian state’s current trajectory—of enforced integration through force—has only deepened alienation and delegitimized its presence in the eyes of most Kashmiris.


Conclusion


The Kashmir conflict is not merely a territorial dispute or a counterterrorism issue—it is fundamentally about the rights and aspirations of a people systematically denied political agency, dignity, and justice. State-sponsored repression in Indian-administered Kashmir is not an aberration but a sustained and institutionalized policy. Without acknowledging the suffering of Kashmiris and initiating a genuine political dialogue, peace will remain elusive.


The international community must move beyond platitudes and engage with the Kashmir issue through the lens of human rights and self-determination. Silence is not neutrality—it is complicity.