Since the complex phenomenon of Kashmir conflict as we know, it dates back to the middle of the twentieth century. It is rooted in the history of the partition of the British colonial empire between India and Pakistan after World War 2. The situation in Kashmir since 1989, has affected the life of the people, living in Kashmir. The approach of paramilitary forces to the people of Kashmir is humiliated and inhuman. The barbaric behavior of army personnel aggravated human life in the vale. In 1987 after the failure of an election, for two years, there was a political unrest in the valley between political parties, MUF in opposition of two central Indian government sponsored political parties, National Conference and Congress. Indian union government found MUF a threat to the ‘promise’ Indian Union Government had given to the people of the state in 1947 on the accession of the state to Indian Union. Muslim Union Front was supported by the whole valley and everyone in the valley argued that the elections were deceitful and fraudulent, and which government should come next was preplanned by the central government of India. The political unrest lasted for two years, in 1989 when Central Government of India deployed paramilitary and military forces in every residential area of the valley that complicated the social life in every respect and their oppressive behavior towards Kashmir natives insisted them to stand an armed rebellion movement against military forces and Indian Domination.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The impact of military presence on Kashmir youth
3. Analysis of The Book of Gold Leaves
4. The phenomenon of enforced disappearance
5. Analysis of The Half Mother
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to provide a realistic account of the arrival of Indian paramilitary and military forces in Kashmir and to analyze the subsequent socio-political conditions that compelled the local youth to join an armed insurgency.
- The historical roots and political tensions of the Kashmir conflict.
- The relationship between military occupation and the rise of armed resistance.
- Literary representations of trauma and conflict in Kashmiri novels.
- The human rights crisis concerning enforced disappearances.
- The struggle for justice and its psychological toll on victims' families.
Excerpt from the publication
Arrival of Indian Paramilitary Forces and Insurgency in Kashmir: A Realistic Study in the Book of Gold Leaves and The Half Mother
The discourse between Faiz and his elder sister, Shahida, on the military occupation over Farhat’s school debates very hard between brother and sister which comprehensively makes it clear, that author exposes to us, the presence of military forces is the reason behind thearmed movement in the valley. Shahida’s arguments are quiet humble towards military soldiersthat dictates the intellectual thought of Mirza Waheed regarding the colonial discourses over the territory.She knows that the overwhelmed military presence in the valley or in school is not their (military soldiers) own decision. She claims, they have been deployed here by higher authorities and the union government of India. They are just following the rules of higher authorities have made for them.Their hands are tied in the compulsions of duty. The discourse is held in the beginning of the military placement in school.On the other hand of discussion Faiz objects their presence in every respect. He doesn’t accept their presence which is symbolically an argument of He argues, the higher authorities, officers or government should not send them here in the valley and claims this is not chicken-and-egg situation here. The cause of armed movement in Kashmir is their arrival. He claims military forces came first in the valley the boys took arms after their arrival.
Okay, officers shouldn’t do this. They shouldn’t send them here. Happy?This is not a chicken-and-egg situation, my dear sister. They wouldn’t have taught you this at college, but remember one thing, the soldiers came first! The boys took to arms later. (Waheed, 46).
Chapter Summary
Introduction: This chapter traces the origins of the Kashmir conflict back to the mid-twentieth century, highlighting the political unrest post-1989 and the deployment of military forces.
The impact of military presence on Kashmir youth: This section explores how the oppressive behavior of the military toward the native population acted as a catalyst for local youth to engage in armed rebellion.
Analysis of The Book of Gold Leaves: This chapter analyzes Mirza Waheed's novel, focusing on the lives of Faiz and Roohi and reflecting on the history of partition and the 1989 uprising.
The phenomenon of enforced disappearance: This section contextualizes enforced disappearance as a global human rights crime and specifically examines its pervasive use in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Analysis of The Half Mother: This chapter discusses Shahnaz Bashir's novel, detailing the tragic story of Haleema and the harsh reality of families searching for disappeared loved ones.
Conclusion: This final section reflects on the lifelong mourning caused by the conflict and how the paradise of Kashmir has been transformed by prolonged violence.
Keywords
Bloodbath, Kashmir conflict, truth, Mirza Waheed, The Book of Gold Leaves, Shahnaz Bashir, The Half Mother, disturbing, melancholic, insurgency, military occupation, enforced disappearance, human rights, armed resistance, trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the realistic portrayal of the Kashmir conflict as depicted in the novels "The Book of Gold Leaves" and "The Half Mother," focusing on the effects of military presence.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers themes of military occupation, armed insurgency, the psychological trauma of families, and the pervasive issue of enforced disappearances.
What is the primary research objective?
The goal is to analyze how the arrival of Indian paramilitary and military forces created conditions that forced youth in Kashmir to take up arms.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis and critical discourse approach to interpret the novels as realistic mirrors of historical and political events in Kashmir.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body treats the socio-political climate of the valley, the individual loss of protagonists, the role of colonial-style occupation, and the legal and moral struggles of the Kashmiri people.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Kashmir conflict, enforced disappearance, military occupation, insurgency, and the literary works of Waheed and Bashir.
How does the author characterize the role of the military in the novels?
The author portrays the military as a disruptive force that complicates the social fabric of the valley and acts as a trigger for armed youth resistance.
What specific role does the legal system play in the misery of those affected?
The paper highlights how the legal system, particularly police stations and courts, often fails families, as officials frequently refuse to lodge FIRs against the army, leaving victims in a state of perpetual agony.
- Quote paper
- Irshad Rather (Author), 2017, Arrival of Indian Paramilitary Forces and Insurgency in Kashmir. A Realistic Study in "The Book of Gold Leaves" and "The Half Mother: A Novel", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1329557
