Occupation and Oppression: Analyzing Structural Violence in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Abstract

In recent times, the concept of structural violence has emerged as a crucial analytical framework for understanding conflicts, disparities, and the marginalization experienced by communities. Drawing on Johan Galtung's typology of conflicts, scholars have employed this lens to analyze the systematic violence perpetrated by state institutions, which not only normalizes but also legitimizes such acts of aggression. This paper delves into a comprehensive analysis of the case of Indian-Occupied Kashmir, where the de facto administration of India is perpetrating structural violence. Moreover, this study examines the intricate interplay between structural violence and state crime, which has significantly complicated the already contentious issue of Kashmir. Qualitative research has discerned a recurring pattern, wherein indirect violence has led to further otherization of the Muslim population in this internationally recognized disputed territory. The unilateral revocation of the erstwhile state's semi-autonomous status in August 2019, under the leadership of the Modi-led BJP regime, brought to the fore the manifestation of structural violence that had accumulated over seven decades following the military occupation in 1947. India's successive de facto administrations bear responsibility for the intractability of the Kashmir dispute, resulting in the exacerbated living conditions of the indigenous population, rendering them devoid of citizenship, land ownership, livelihood, and enfranchisement. Within the context of Kashmir, scholarly discourse increasingly characterizes the manifestation of structural violence amid India's state violence as an official implementation of a settler-colonial program, akin to the historical parallels observed in Palestine under Israel's settler colonialism. In the pursuit of lasting peace, it is imperative to prioritize peaceful and equitable development that safeguards the human needs and security of all citizens. To this end, the institutionalization of non-violence can be effectively achieved through the integration of development indicators into policymaking and governance. By establishing the road to institutionalized non-violence and positive peace, the elimination of various forms of violence and conflicts in the region can be envisaged. This paper underscores the urgency of adopting an academic tone and rigorously engaging with the complexities of the Kashmir issue to foster a deeper understanding of structural violence and its implications for peacebuilding efforts.