The tale of Jammu and Kashmir is one of tragedy and unresolved conflict, but beneath the veil of geopolitics lies a horror seldom spoken about: the routine rape of women by the Indian army. The insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir began in 1989 and since then, the Indian armed forces have been accused of sexual violence in the valley, depicting a picture of exploitation and protection of offenders.
Statistics show that 11,259 women have been raped and harassed by Indian soldiers. These, however, are still probably only the figures that have been reported, as the culture of silence regarding sexual violence still remains strong and many women never report the crime. The fear of being punished, being judged by society, and the absence of justice for the offenders do not help them to speak out.
The year 1992 is also significant in this grim story as it recorded a high incidence of the disease. As many as 882 women were said to have been gang-raped in that year. This increase is attributed to ethnic and racial prejudice, where the Indian army employs sexual violence as a strategy to subjugate the people. The bitter truth is that rape is used systematically in the form of war, which is designed to cause psychological harm, fear and destabilize the society of the people of Kashmir.
However, the perpetrators of these heinous crimes continue to go scot-free even though the crimes committed are of great magnitude and are widespread. No perpetrator has been made to answer for their actions and hence the Indian army has been referred to as a ‘rapist army’ by the victims. This has left the community with many unanswered questions and the desire for justice as there are still 22960 widows who are still demanding justice for the atrocities done to their loved ones. The bitter truth is that justice is still elusive to many in the valley and the culture of getting away with murders fuels more violence.
Rape is not only used in the conflict in Kashmir but it is systematically used in this region more than any other. The Indian army’s alleged deliberate intention to punish and control the Kashmiri population through sexual violence is a testimony to the fight for independence. This strategy of the Indian state to demoralise the people of Kashmir has only widened the gulf between the two.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and other human rights NGOs have reported these acts and have explained the systematic nature of the violence. Testimonies describe how women are raped, robbed and pillaged by the Indian forces. These documented accounts depict a clear trend of conduct that is intended to instill fear in the community and dominate it through force.
Such a report is the one produced by the Research Society of International Law which states that women from Kashmir are subjected to the highest level of sexual violence in the world. The world, however, turns a blind eye to these heinous acts, and the political situation in the world often hinders the protection of the rights of individuals in the region.
The world turns a blind eye, and there is no intervention or condemnation of such actions that only lead to more violence. The women of Kashmir remain voiceless, their narratives hidden behind the politics and power play of nations. This is why the world needs to know about it and act to make sure justice is served to the victims and the perpetrators.
These women have such tragic lives. Some have narrated how they were pulled out of their homes, flogged and sexually assaulted in the presence of their kin. The psychological impact is severe, and victims are likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder for the rest of their lives. The social aspect of rape also contributes to the isolation of these women since they are ostracized by society, and cannot reintegrate into society easily.
This violence is not only the physical and psychological harm of women, but also the social and societal harm as well. People are separated from their loved ones, and entire populations remain in constant fear and suspicion. The social structure of the Kashmir has been completely altered and the trauma of sexual violence is well etched in the society. The fight for justice and recognition goes on, and there are many organizations and activists who fight for these problems to be heard.
However, this violence is as rampant as ever and there are signs of hope. The women’s groups and other local organizations in Kashmir are courageously coming forward to help the survivors with the required counseling, legal support, and advocacy. These efforts despite the constraints of resources and the harsh environment are very important in the fight against impunity.
The international community cannot sit and watch. Attention should be paid to the fact that women in Kashmir are suffering and the Indian government should be urged to investigate these crimes and punish the culprits. The search for justice is a slow and painful process, however, the rights of the victims should not remain unheard. It is only through unity and cooperation on the international level that one can strive to put an end to this violence and make sure that the women of Kashmir get the justice they have been denied.
At the dusk of my article, the allegations of systematic sexual violence by the Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir are a painful reminder of the suffering in the context of the armed conflict and the consequences for women. The fact that rape is still being used as a weapon of war, the perpetrators have not been brought to book, and the survivors continue to suffer from the effects make it necessary for the international community to intervene. These women’s stories cannot be erased from history and their struggle for justice should be backed by all who are advocates of human rights and human dignity. The oppressed women of Kashmir are screaming in silence and it is the moral imperative of the society to raise our voice for their cause.
Keywords:
Sexual violence, Indian army, Jammu and Kashmir, rape as a weapon of war, human rights abuses, impunity, ethnic bias, 1992 spike in violence, gang rape, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Research Society of International Law, Kashmiri women, psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), international community
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