Kashmir Crimson

Freedom? How does it feel to be free? Freedom is an open window through which pours the sunlight of human spirit and human dignity. What do you think of when you hear the word freedom? We think of Kashmir. A place where people have been fighting for self-determination for 70 years.

Kashmir, one of the most beautiful places on earth, has a unique and troubled history. Orange, crimson and rouge; yellow tall trees against the mighty white and blue Himalayan background, Carpeted thick with autumn leaves is what defines Kashmir.

Once ruled by Hindu princes it became India’s only Muslim majority state at independence in 1947, but the territory itself was violently and quickly divided from the get-go between India and Pakistan, and both sides have since accused the other of occupying Kashmir. In fact, these two nuclear-armed neighbors and sworn enemies have fought two major wars and one minor war over Kashmir.

Since the past four months the orchards are filled with fallen and rotting fruits; the harvest is feared destroyed since India imposed an unprecedented blockade in Kashmir in August 2019. Millions of people are living effectively under siege right now.

The act strips the State of Jammu and Kashmir of its special status — which includes its right to have its own constitution and its own flag. 7 million Kashmiris were barricaded in their homes, internet connections were cut and their phones went dead. Every street was blockaded by razor wires, children couldn’t go to school, the people couldn’t reach hospitals, planned festivities halted.

It is the most militarized place on earth. And perhaps right now there are more Indian troops, and have been more Indian security forces there since 1990. Since the past 30 years an estimated 70,000 people, civilians, militants and security forces have been killed in the conflict; Thousand disappeared and tortured, teenagers blinded by pellet guns.

This piece is an ode to the powerful , resilient people of Kashmir. What do you think of when you hear the word freedom?