Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Kashmir has long been referred to as paradise on earth. Its breathtaking landscapes, lush valleys, and snow-capped mountains have inspired poets and mystics for centuries. But behind the serene scenery lies a harrowing story of political unrest, militarization, and unending human suffering. For decades, the region has been at the heart of a fierce territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, with the people of Kashmir caught in the crossfire. Since the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in August 2019, which stripped the region of its limited autonomy, life for ordinary Kashmiris has become increasingly repressive. Through curfews, surveillance, disappearances, and economic strangulation, the voice of Kashmir has been systematically silenced.
This article aims to bring forward those muted voices — voices of students, farmers, journalists, women, and children — who continue to endure the burden of living under occupation.
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A Land of Beauty Under Siege
The Kashmir conflict traces its origins back to the partition of British India in 1947. While the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir initially chose to remain independent, a tribal invasion from Pakistan and subsequent accession to India led to a drawn-out conflict between the two nations. Today, both India and Pakistan claim the region in full but control only parts of it. The Indian-administered region, known as Jammu and Kashmir, has seen decades of insurgency, military crackdowns, and political instability.
In the name of national security, India has stationed over half a million troops in the region, making it one of the most militarized zones in the world. Checkpoints, raids, and surveillance are a part of daily life. For many Kashmiris, their homeland has become an open-air prison.
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The End of Autonomy
The abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in August 2019 marked a turning point in the region's history. The Indian government revoked the special status that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to maintain its own constitution and laws relating to residency and property. In doing so, it dissolved the state into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh — bringing them under direct control of New Delhi.
In anticipation of dissent, the Indian government imposed a complete communications blackout, deployed thousands of additional troops, detained political leaders, and placed the region under lockdown. For months, access to the internet was severed, journalists were harassed, and civil liberties suspended.
The move was presented by the Indian government as a step toward "development" and "integration." Yet for Kashmiris, it felt like a betrayal — a final blow to their aspirations for autonomy and dignity.
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Everyday Resistance: The Personal Becomes Political
Shazia, a 28-year-old teacher in Srinagar, described how her life changed overnight. “My brother was picked up during a night raid. We didn't know where he was for two weeks. No charges, no warrant. Just gone,” she says. Her brother, like thousands of others, was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), a law that allows for detention without trial for up to two years.
Shazia continues, “Even going to work feels like an act of resistance. The streets are full of soldiers. They look at you like you’re a criminal. I teach history, but I can’t even talk about our own history freely.”
Everyday life in Kashmir is a balancing act between survival and dignity. People line up for hours at checkpoints. Phone calls are monitored. Children grow up seeing soldiers with guns on their school routes. Weddings, funerals, and religious gatherings happen under the watchful eyes of armed personnel.
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The Silenced Media
Kashmiri journalists operate under an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Independent reporting has become increasingly dangerous, especially since 2019. Several journalists have been arrested under anti-terror laws for simply reporting the facts.
Aarif, a freelance journalist from Anantnag, explains the challenges: “We are under constant surveillance. If you write something critical, your home may be raided. Your family could be harassed. The message is clear: stay silent or face the consequences.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Media Policy of 2020 further empowers the government to determine what constitutes "fake news" and allows the administration to take punitive action against journalists. Self-censorship has become the norm, and independent journalism is on the brink of extinction in the region.
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Economic Strangulation
The prolonged lockdowns and communication bans have crippled Kashmir’s economy, which heavily relies on tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture. According to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the region suffered losses of over $5 billion in the first two years after the abrogation of Article 370. Tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs, particularly in the tourism and transport sectors.
Farooq, a houseboat owner in Dal Lake, has not had a tourist in over a year. “The lake is still beautiful, but who will come when there are soldiers everywhere? People are afraid. And now, with internet restrictions, even online bookings are not possible.”
The apple industry — one of the major sources of income in the valley — has also taken a hit. Many farmers complain that frequent curfews and transport blockades delay shipments and spoil produce, causing massive financial losses.
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Women: Doubly Marginalized
For Kashmiri women, the occupation means navigating both militarized oppression and patriarchy. Many have become breadwinners after their male family members were killed, disappeared, or detained. But their struggles are often invisible.
Asma, a 34-year-old widow, lost her husband in a fake encounter in 2010. “He went to the market and never came back. They said he was a militant, but he was just a tailor,” she sobs. Left with two young daughters, Asma now runs a small embroidery business from home. “We survive, but barely. And I live in fear every day that something will happen to my girls.”
Despite the odds, many women have taken up leadership roles in community protests, legal activism, and grassroots support networks. Their courage is a silent revolution.
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Children of Conflict
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of the Kashmir conflict is its impact on children. Generations have grown up amidst violence, curfews, and trauma. Schools are frequently shut down due to political instability. Internet bans further disrupt online learning. Many children suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders, and post-traumatic stress.
Bilal, a 10-year-old from Sopore, was injured during a pellet gun firing in 2021. His mother explains, “He was just playing outside when the forces came. Now he has lost vision in one eye. He screams at night.”
The use of pellet guns for crowd control — often labeled as "non-lethal" — has blinded or maimed hundreds of young Kashmiris. According to Amnesty International, this is a grave human rights violation. Yet accountability remains elusive.
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Cultural Erosion and Demographic Concerns
Kashmiris also fear cultural erosion and demographic change. With the abrogation of Article 35A, which previously restricted land ownership to state subjects, there are growing concerns that outsiders may settle in the valley, diluting its Muslim-majority character.
Imran, a university student, says, “It’s not just about jobs or land. It’s about identity. They want to erase our culture, our language, our history.”
Several government schemes now promote settlement of retired military personnel and non-local laborers. Coupled with massive surveillance and curriculum changes in schools, many see this as an attempt to "Indianize" the region forcibly.
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International Silence and Diplomatic Failure
Despite the deteriorating human rights situation, international responses have been muted. While organizations like the UN and Human Rights Watch have issued reports and statements, concrete diplomatic actions have been scarce.
Pakistan continues to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums, but its efforts have been largely dismissed as political posturing. Meanwhile, India portrays the situation as an "internal matter," further limiting external interventions.
The voices of Kashmiris remain largely unheard in global discourse, muffled by geopolitical alliances and strategic silence.
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Hope Amid Despair
And yet, despite everything, the spirit of Kashmir has not been crushed. People continue to resist in small but powerful ways — through poetry, art, education, and resilience.
The youth of Kashmir, despite limited opportunities, are fiercely aspirational. Many pursue higher education, volunteer for relief efforts, and speak out on social media, even under the threat of reprisal.
Samiya, a university student, shares, “We may be caged, but our minds are free. We read. We write. We dream. That’s how we survive.”
Conclusion
To live in Kashmir today is to live with uncertainty, fear, and resilience. It is to wake up to the sound of gunshots and still go to school. It is to protest injustice and risk imprisonment. It is to mourn a lost brother and fight for a better future.
The world cannot afford to look away. What is happening in Kashmir is not just a political dispute — it is a humanitarian crisis. The silence of the international community, the repression by the state, and the resilience of the people together define the tragic paradox of modern-day Kashmir.
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