Kashmir's Forgotten Struggle
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Kashmir was once known as “paradise on Earth.” Today, it has become one of the world's most heavily militarized zones. The Muslim-majority region has been under Indian occupation for over 75 years, with generations growing up under curfews, checkpoints, and collective punishment. From enforced disappearances to restrictions on religion and speech, Kashmiris are subjected to a brutal system of control that the world has largely chosen to ignore.
Focus: A Glimpse into the History of Kashmir
The first Muslim presence in the Indian subcontinent can be traced back to the early 8th century CE. In 91 AH (710 CE), the young general Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim launched a historic campaign into Sindh. Backed by the formidable al-Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf, he conquered the Punjab, defeated the Raja of Sindh, and advanced to the borders of Kashmir.
Although long isolated, Kashmir eventually fell under the influence of Islam in the 14th century CE. Pious scholars, Sufi saints, and merchants contributed to the region's gradual Islamization. The majority of the population, once Buddhist and Hindu, embraced Islam peacefully over the centuries. Under Muslim rule, Kashmir flourished as a center of Islamic learning, arts, and spirituality.
But with the decline of Muslim sultanates and the arrival of colonial forces, Kashmir's autonomy slowly disintegrated. The Mughal Empire absorbed it in the 16th century, followed by the Sikh conquest in the 19th century. Eventually, in 1947—when British India was partitioned into Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India—Kashmir's fate became the subject of violent dispute.
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Occupation Disguised as Democracy
In 1947, the Hindu Maharaja of Kashmir chose to join India, despite the Muslim-majority population's clear preference for Pakistan. This led to the first Indo-Pakistani war and, ever since, Kashmir has remained a flashpoint of conflict. In violation of multiple UN resolutions calling for a referendum, India continues to deny Kashmiris the right to self-determination.
In August 2019, the situation worsened dramatically when the Indian government revoked Article 370, which had granted Kashmir limited autonomy. In doing so, they effectively opened the floodgates for settler colonialism: thousands of Indian Hindus were offered residency and land in Kashmir, a decision condemned as an attempt to change the region's Muslim demographic.
A total communications blackout followed. Internet and phone lines were cut off. Journalists were barred. Mosques were shuttered. Imams were arrested. Thousands of men—including minors—were detained without trial. India declared Kashmir “integrated,” but the people knew it was just another word for occupation.
Terrorized and Silenced
The Indian military has employed a range of oppressive tactics to quell dissent:
- Torture and sexual violence: Human rights groups have documented widespread abuse, including rape of women and electrocution of young men.
- Pellet guns: Used extensively by Indian forces, these weapons have armored hundreds of Kashmiri youth during protests.
- Collective punishment: Entire villages are blockaded, food is withheld, and families of suspected militants are harassed.
- Religious repression: Mosques are monitored, sermons censored, and gatherings during Ramadan and Eid, restricted.
Even small expressions of resistance are criminalized. In December 2023, Kashmiri students were arrested and charged with sedition for cheering Pakistan's victory over India in a cricket match.
From Freedom Fighters to “Terrorists”
Following the War on Terror, Kashmiri resistance fighters, who had long identified themselves as Mujahideen fighting for liberation, were now rebranded as “terrorists” in global media. India seized this opportunity to intensify its crackdown, claiming its actions were part of a larger global counter-terrorism strategy.
However, most Kashmiri youth continue to view their struggle as a legitimate jihad—a defensive fight against foreign occupation. Groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Muhammad have maintained underground networks, despite heavy surveillance and targeted assassinations.
Even unarmed resistance continues: civil disobedience, boycotts, martyr posters, and poetry have become daily acts of defiance. Every Shaheed thousands' janaza draws of mourners. The names of resistance figures—Burhan Wani, Maqbool Bhat, and Afzal Guru—remain engraved in Kashmiri hearts.
A Light in the Darkness: The Spirit of Jihad
Despite the siege, the Kashmiri people remain unbroken. Contrary to popular misconceptions, Jihad is far from just a military term: it is the struggle to practice their Islam in a land that criminalizes being Muslim. Fasting in Ramadan, growing a beard, wearing the hijab and niqab, attending a Friday khutbah—every religious act becomes an act of resistance.
From the frozen peaks of Kupwara to the orchards of Anantnag, whispers of hope travel on the wind: “We are not afraid to die. We are afraid to live as slaves.”
“Do not think of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.”
(Qur'an, 3:169)
References
Books & Blog Sources:
5PillarsUK. (2023). Police arrest Kashmiri students for celebrating India's defeat. https://5pillarsuk.com/2023/12/03/police-arrest-kashmiri-students-for-celebrating-india-defeat-in-cricket-world-cup
Saracens. (2022). The First Muslim Conquests of the Indies . Issue No. 3.
Yaqeen Institute. (nd). The Forgotten Muslims: How Kashmiris Breathe Islam Under Occupation . https://yaqeeninstitute.ca/read/paper/the-forgotten-muslims-how-kashmiris-breathe-islam-under-occupation
Web Sources:
Radio-Canada. (nd). Kashmir: A Troubled History . https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/dossiers/cachemire/histoire.html
YouTube (2024). Kashmir Under Siege - Witness Documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAUR4h4SwIs