Women Negotiating Public Sphere in Conflict-Ridden Kashmir: A Case of Sacred-Sites

Abstract

This article examines the intersectionality of patriarchy, religion, and conflict by evaluating the nature of space offered by shrines to women in Kashmir. Besides fostering spirituality, the shrines of Sufi mystics serve as an essential public sphere in Kashmir. Due to the protracted armed conflict and limited spatial availability, shrines have emerged as the predominant sites for political mobilization, socialization, and religious pedology. Therefore, an assessment of gender politics at shrines by employing a public sphere framework allows a re-conceptualization of the idea of women’s engagement in politics and issues of agency. It further illuminates the nuanced role of religion in conflict and its gender ramifications.

Keywords:

• Gender politics
• political mobilization
• sacred-sites
• public sphere
• shrines
• Kashmir Valley

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author (s).

Notes

1 I have often used the terms religious and spirituality interchangeably, as in Kashmir, the shrines of Sufis serve both spiritual and religious purposes.

2 The fashion show at Tagore Hall was organized by a non-governmental organization, the Jammu and Kashmir Youth Society, which Sajid Yousuf Shah and Yana Mir head. Both are staunch supporters of Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janta Party. They have also have started a news portal by the name Real Kashmir.

3 2008 was triggered by the local government’s illegal transfer of Kashmiri land, 2010 by arbitrary teenage killings by Indian paramilitaries, and 2016 with the killing of Burhan Wani (a Kashmiri young rebel commander).

4 The APDP was founded in 1994 by Ahangar after her teenage son Javaid Ahangar was picked up by the security forces in 1991.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zohra Batul

Zohra Batul is a Ph.D. researcher, at the Department of Political Science at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Her main research interests are Religion, Public Sphere, Gender Politics, Conflict, and Political Mobilization with a focus on South Asia (in particular Kashmir). Her research and writings have appeared in Economic and Political Weekly (EPW), Contemporary South Asia (CSA), LSE Engenderings (blog), Greater Kashmir, The Telegraph, and other local and national newspapers.