Arrival of Indian Paramilitary Forces and Insurgency in Kashmir. A Realistic Study in "The Book of Gold Leaves" and "The Half Mother: A Novel"

Academic Paper , 2017 , 8 Pages

Literature - Comparative Literature

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.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Arrival of Indian Paramilitary Forces and Insurgency in Kashmir: A Realistic Study in The Book of Gold Leaves and The Half Mother
• Abstract
• Introduction
• The Book of Gold Leaves
• The Arrival of Military Forces and the Armed Rebellion
• The Discourse Between Faiz and Shahida on Military Occupation
• The Debate on the Occupation of Military Force
• The Enforced Disappearance and Colonialism
• The Half Mother
• The Deployment of Forces and the Fate of Joo's Family
• The Enforced Disappearance and its Reality

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to provide a realistic account of the arrival of Indian paramilitary and military forces in Kashmir, and analyze the situation after their arrival that compelled the valley’s youth to take up arms. The analysis is based on the novels The Book of Gold Leaves by Mirza Waheed and The Half Mother by Shahnaz Bashir.

• The impact of the Indian paramilitary and military forces on the lives of Kashmiris
• The rise of armed insurgency as a response to the military occupation
• The role of enforced disappearances in the context of the Kashmir conflict
• The exploration of the psychological and emotional effects of conflict on individuals and families
• The portrayal of the Kashmir conflict through the lenses of colonialism and post-colonialism

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Arrival of Indian Paramilitary Forces and Insurgency in Kashmir: A Realistic Study in The Book of Gold Leaves and The Half Mother: This introductory chapter sets the context for the paper, outlining the historical background of the Kashmir conflict and the arrival of Indian paramilitary forces in 1989. It also introduces the two novels that will be analyzed in detail: The Book of Gold Leaves and The Half Mother.
• The Book of Gold Leaves: This section focuses on Mirza Waheed's novel, analyzing the protagonist's experiences with the military occupation and the decision to join the armed insurgency. It highlights the portrayal of military brutality, the impact of enforced disappearances, and the psychological toll of the conflict on individuals.
• The Half Mother: This section examines Shahnaz Bashir's novel, exploring the story of a mother who loses her son in the wake of the insurgency. It delves into the reality of enforced disappearances in Indian-administered Kashmir, highlighting the human cost of the conflict and the psychological trauma it inflicts on families.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary focus of this paper is on the Kashmir conflict, specifically examining the impact of the Indian paramilitary forces on the lives of Kashmiris and the rise of armed insurgency. Key terms include: Kashmir conflict, Indian paramilitary forces, insurgency, enforced disappearances, The Book of Gold Leaves, The Half Mother, colonialism, post-colonialism, psychological impact, trauma, human rights violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the rise of armed insurgency in Kashmir in 1989?

The insurgency was triggered by political unrest following the 1987 elections, which many locals considered fraudulent. The subsequent deployment of paramilitary forces and their oppressive behavior led many youth to start an armed rebellion against Indian domination.

Which novels are analyzed in this study?

The study focuses on "The Book of Gold Leaves" by Mirza Waheed and "The Half Mother" by Shahnaz Bashir, both of which provide realistic portrayals of the conflict in Kashmir.

What is the central theme of "The Half Mother"?

The novel explores the reality of enforced disappearances in Kashmir through the story of a mother searching for her son, highlighting the human cost and psychological trauma families endure.

How is military occupation depicted in Mirza Waheed's novel?

"The Book of Gold Leaves" portrays the arrival of military forces in residential areas, the humiliation of civilians, and the discourse between characters regarding the loss of freedom and the necessity of rebellion.

What role does the MUF play in the historical context of the conflict?

The Muslim United Front (MUF) was an opposition coalition in the 1987 elections. Their perceived threat to the central government and the disputed election results are seen as pivotal moments leading to the armed conflict.

What are the long-term effects of the conflict on Kashmiri society?

The study highlights the breakdown of social life, the prevalence of trauma, and the continuous struggle for identity and human rights in a region marked by decades of military presence.

• Author: Irshad Rather (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V1329557
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346827524
• Language: English
• Tags: Kashmir conflict, insurgency, military forces, Kashmir, india.