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Abstract
This article explores the endogenous basis of the popular uprising that erupted among Kashmiri Muslims in the Indian-administered Kashmir in the early 1990s. It moves beyond a purely geopolitical explanation that focuses on the role of Pakistan to explore the deep-seated ethno-cultural and religious roots of the insurgency. The study analyzes the unique syncretic culture of "Kashmiriyat" and examines how this sense of a distinct Kashmiri identity felt increasingly threatened by the policies of the Indian state. The research delves into the political grievances, particularly the erosion of Kashmir's constitutionally guaranteed autonomy and the perception of a long history of manipulated elections and political disempowerment. The paper also explores the growing influence of Islamist ideologies as a factor in the radicalization of the movement. The analysis concludes that while external support was a factor, the uprising was fundamentally a home-grown phenomenon, rooted in a profound sense of political alienation and a desire to protect a distinct cultural and religious identity.
Full Text
The insurgency that broke out in the Kashmir valley in 1989-90 is often explained in purely geopolitical terms as a proxy war instigated by Pakistan. This paper offers a complementary and more nuanced perspective by focusing on the endogenous, or internal, roots of the uprising. The study begins by providing a historical and cultural context, outlining the unique synthesis of Sufi Islam and local traditions that has shaped the distinct cultural identity known as "Kashmiriyat." The core of the article is an analysis of the deep-seated political grievances of the Kashmiri Muslim population. It traces the gradual erosion of the special autonomous status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which the paper argues was seen by many Kashmiris as a betrayal of the terms of their accession to India. The paper provides a detailed account of the widespread allegations of rigged state elections, which created a profound sense of political disenfranchisement and a loss of faith in the democratic process. It is in this context of political alienation, the paper argues, that a new generation of Kashmiris turned to armed struggle. The study also examines the ideological shift within the movement, from an initial focus on secular independence to the growing influence of religious and Islamist ideologies. The findings lead to a clear conclusion: to see the Kashmiri uprising as merely the product of external manipulation is to ignore the deep and genuine sense of grievance and alienation that provided the fertile ground for the insurgency to take root.