WRITE-UPS

Khilat Abid/ Hooria Gillani/ Bayed Mubarak In his autobiography, “Khar e Gulistan,” Maulana Abbas Ansari recalls that the unity of Kashmiri Muslims in the year of 1986 was like a "powerful force that arises from the coming together of people, similar to the force observed when scattered droplets combine to form the vastness of the ocean." This analogy highlights the unity of various social and religious entities that came under a single umbrella to form the Muslim United Front (MUF). In the 70s and 80s, India adopted an aggressive birth control program. In 1977, approximately 24 percent of eligible couples in the age group of 15 to 44 years, capable of bearing children, were practising a form of birth control to escape government harassment. In Kashmir, this program had minimal im...

Bhat Yasir In the picturesque valley of Kashmir, where the air is imbued with the spirit of syncretism, the Khanqah-e-Moula of Srinagar stands as an architectural and spiritual gem. Constructed in 1395 by Sultan Sikander in homage to the revered Sufi saint Mir Ali Hamdan, this sacred sanctuary weaves together threads of spirituality and history that have left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of the Kashmir valley. Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, fondly known as Shah-i-Hamadan, found solace in Kashmir, and his stay played a pivotal role in shaping the early foundations of Islam in the valley. The Khanqah, primarily a mosque, is a living testament to the syncretic ethos of Kashmir, with its wood architecture drawing inspiration not only from Islamic styles but also from the rich...

Titled "Sheikh Abdullah: The Caged Lion of Kashmir," Chitralekha Zutshi's book meticulously unravels the intricate tapestry of Kashmir's most towering and enigmatic figure. From his humble beginnings in the village of Soura, surrounded by the harsh realities of poverty and oppression under the Dogra rule, to his eventual rise as a fierce Kashmiri nationalist, Abdullah's life story unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of Indian politics and global dynamics. Zutshi, a distinguished history professor at William & Mary with a specialization in South Asian history, intricately weaves together the threads of Abdullah's journey. Drawing from extensive research and historical analysis, the biography provides a multi-dimensional portrait of the man who dared to challenge the status ...

Basit Shah Shahid Wani was in love with a girl from a 'lower caste,' for several years, however, last year when he spoke to his parents about it. He was met with rejection from his mother. "Despite the emotional turmoil, that we had to undergo, my family did not agree to marry me to a woman from the Sheikh caste," said Shahid, a resident of Rainawari Srinagar. ALSO READ: Denied Love and Land- Caste Prejudice is Real and it is Unspoken of in Kashmir Referred to as 'Kram' or 'Zaat' in Kashmiri language, caste dictates a person's societal standing from birth until death, encompassing professions and influencing social aspects, including marriage. Each 'Zaat' is intricately linked to a traditional job function, and social privileges are often contingent upon the perceived 'status of the c...

Shahid ul Islam In the heart of nature’s embrace lies Budan, a village in Kashmir's north, adorned with lush flora and vibrant fauna, encircled by bountiful apple orchards. The rhythmic hum of agricultural activities resonates through the air as every villager tends to their orchards, cultivating a livelihood in harmony with the thriving landscape. Today, Budan stands as a flourishing community, boasting over 100 houses that bear witness to the symbiotic relationship between the people and the fruitful land they call home. In the quiet village nestled within the Baramulla district of Kashmir about 80 kilometers north of Srinagar, lives were forever altered by a conflict that left scars both physical and emotional. The scars of harrowing gunfights continue to cast a shadow o...

Meer Irfan "It was an ocean of people. When we reached the general bus stand, we noticed the BSF personnel with the loaded guns pointed at us. They fired in the air, and people ran for cover, most of us leaving behind our slippers and shoes," said Riyaz Ahmed, a resident of Achabal adda area of the main town Anantnag in south Kashmir. Riyaz Ahmed was a part of a procession that was taken out in Anantnag town, a day after the demolition of the Babri mosque on December 6, 1992. As we delve into this harrowing chapter of history, it's crucial to understand the backdrop that fueled the emotions of the protestors. The Babri Masjid, situated in Ayodhya, India, was constructed in 1528–29 (935 AH) by Mir Baqi, a commander under the Mughal emperor Babur. This historic mosque became a fo...

Bint e Haider I cannot say how how long have I have known Farhad. It's difficult to assert that I know him, but I can say I've been seeing him for a very long time and he would consistently appear in front of my eyes. Fourteen years ago, I witnessed Farhad Ahmed Fagar busy in pursuing artists through his camera lens for a newspaper.  He conducted an interview with someone dear to me who had received a gold medal in fine arts. Following this, he approached me regarding the design for the cover of his book. Then, I received a call from Farhad asking for my interview. Unfortunately, I could not find time and then Farhad slowly faded into a backdrop as I pressed onward into the tapestry of life. When he reconnected, it was clear that he ...

Muzaffar Choudhary  In the realm of Bollywood, where a penchant for unoriginal, uninspiring, and occasionally distasteful content prevails, it's easy to overlook the industry's colossal significance. As the world's largest film industry by any metric, Bollywood not only shapes India's national identity but also molds the global community's perception of the country. Its films serve as a temporary escape for over 400 million people in India grappling with the harsh reality of living on less than $3.20 a day. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, media literacy—an essential tool for critically evaluating media products such as movies—is notably absent among the masses. This absence makes Bollywood a potential propaganda machine, capable of disseminating misinformation and reinfor...

Bhat Yasir In the heart of Kashmir echoes a notorious phrase passed down through generations: "If you find a snake and a Gujjar/Bakerwal man in the forest, let the snake be, kill the Bakerwal man, the snake is not as dangerous." Having spent several years in Srinagar, I personally have not faced such taunts or been labeled with this derogatory name. However, the reality remains that villagers in Srinagar are consistently marginalized, a phenomenon not unique to Kashmir but a global occurrence where one class deems itself superior, casting derogatory views upon those considered inferior. The Gujjars, constituting a tribal group in Jammu Kashmir, also inhabit the high altitudes of Himachal. Their lifestyle is marked by simplicity, yet they often find themselves economically disadvan...