The Crackdown on Kashmiri Identity: India’s Repression of Thought, Culture, and Heritage

In a troubling move that underscores the growing suppression of dissent in Kashmir, Indian police recently seized over 650 books, primarily by the renowned Muslim scholar Abul A’la Maududi. These books, which delve into political and religious thought, are seen by many as essential texts in understanding the region’s complex identity. The operation, which targeted the very fabric of Kashmiri intellectual life, is a stark reminder of the brutal repressions that have come to define the region since India’s controversial revocation of Article 370 in 2019.

Kashmir has long been at the heart of a deeply contested geopolitical struggle, but these recent actions have crossed a dangerous threshold—blurring the lines between national security and cultural erasure. The books seized by authorities were not clandestine weapons or materials inciting violence; they were intellectual works contributing to the discourse on Kashmiri identity, religious thought, and political autonomy. By seizing them, India has not only trampled on the rights of the Kashmiri people but has also violated Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media.

The seizure of books by Maududi, a scholar whose ideas have long influenced the Muslim world, is not just an attack on literature—it is a direct assault on the very identity of Kashmiri Muslims. The books were confiscated under the guise of countering terrorism, but such actions are part of a much larger pattern of repression that seeks to delegitimize and erase Kashmiri political and religious heritage. In India’s eyes, any expression of resistance to the state’s narrative—whether through religion, politics, or literature—has become an act of rebellion, a threat to be quashed.

This crackdown, however, is not an isolated incident. Since 2019, India has undertaken a sweeping campaign of repression across Kashmir. Journalists, activists, and academics have been targeted in an attempt to stifle free speech and suppress any dissenting voice. The government’s tactic of labeling any opposition as a security threat has allowed it to justify a heavy-handed approach that is both unjust and disproportionate. Kashmiri political leaders, who have long demanded greater autonomy, have found their voices silenced, while entire political organizations, such as Jamaat-e-Islami, were banned before Article 370’s revocation, effectively eliminating political opposition.

The consequences of these moves are far-reaching. Banning Maududi’s books in Kashmir while allowing them to circulate freely elsewhere exposes India’s discriminatory policies, designed to stifle Kashmiri Muslim thought while preserving a unified national narrative. This selective censorship reflects a broader strategy of controlling the political and religious discourse in Kashmir, where resistance to Indian rule is consistently mislabeled as terrorism.

The underlying message is clear: India will not tolerate a narrative of Kashmiri self-determination, a stance that has been supported by numerous international bodies, including the United Nations. The Indian government’s portrayal of the Kashmiri struggle as an act of terrorism is an attempt to justify its military repression and clamp down on any form of resistance, whether political, cultural, or intellectual.

One of the most pernicious aspects of this crackdown is its targeting of educational institutions and the media. By limiting access to literature, curbing press freedoms, and stifling academic debate, India is attempting to rewrite history and erase the cultural and political legacy of the Kashmiri people. Censorship in all forms—whether it be books, films, or the press—is a tool of historical revisionism that seeks to suppress the truth about Kashmir’s long-standing struggle for self-determination.

Ironically, the very act of banning these books may backfire. In a region where resistance is already deeply ingrained, censorship only breeds curiosity and fuels further dissent. The Kashmiri youth, who are increasingly disillusioned with the lack of political representation and the erosion of their cultural rights, are likely to see this repression as yet another affront to their identity. Rather than quelling resistance, India’s actions are likely to deepen the resolve of those who seek a just and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict.

India’s approach in Kashmir exposes a contradiction at the heart of its democracy. It claims to be the world’s largest democracy, but in Kashmir, it has increasingly resorted to military control, censorship, and repression to maintain its hold. The use of force to silence dissent not only undermines India’s democratic values but also damages its credibility on the global stage. Kashmir’s aspirations for autonomy and self-determination are rooted in internationally recognized principles of justice and human rights. The continued repression of Kashmiri Muslims only further undermines any claims that India is committed to peace or democracy.

The history of Kashmir is not one that can be rewritten through censorship and repression. It is a history of struggle for political freedom, religious autonomy, and cultural preservation. Until India recognizes the right of Kashmiris to self-determination and stops its campaign of repression, lasting peace in South Asia will remain elusive.

India’s crackdown on literature and media in Kashmir is not just an attack on books; it is an attempt to silence a people’s history and deny them the right to define their future. Kashmiris must not be forced into silence under the weight of censorship. The world must not stand by as the repression deepens. Until the Kashmiri people are given the freedom to speak, think, and act, the conflict in Kashmir will continue to fester, ensuring that peace remains a distant dream.