Article Review of the Neoliberal State in India.

Author: Nitasha Kaul
Source: Feminist Review, July 2018, No. 119, Gender, Violence and the Neoliberal State in India (pp. 126-143)
Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc.
Stable URL: JSTOR Link
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The article provides a gendered analysis of India’s relationship with Kashmir, addressing the historical failures of Indian democracy and the violence faced by Kashmiris.
Key concepts include:
- Gendered masculinist nationalistic state, particularly in its Hindutva form.
- Connection between violence against Kashmiri bodies and feminised imaginations of Kashmir in Indian nationalism.
- Representation, cartography, and possession as legitimising tools for violence against Kashmiris.
Concludes by arguing Kashmir is a litmus test for anti-nationalism discourse in contemporary India.

India is historically seen as a robust democracy, often compared favorably to neighboring countries.
Contrasting view acknowledges systemic violence against marginalized groups, including Kashmiris.
Recent decades have seen this violence accentuated by neoliberalism and rising Hindutva.

The Indian state uses nationalism to obscure failures in Kashmir, particularly the domesticating of dissent.
Criticism or dissent regarding Kashmir often labeled as anti-national, leading to severe consequences.
Public assemblies and protests in Kashmir blur lines between democratic expressions and violent repression.

Nationalism generally originates from masculinized perspectives, which dehumanise Kashmiris and stifle dissent.
Kashmir viewed through patriarchal lenses of control and possession, indicating a feminised representation of the territory.

Bollywood often depicts Kashmir as exotic, employing both romantic and violent imagery of the region and its people.
Historical narrative emphasizes Kashmir's portrayal as a beautiful woman needing protection and control.

The concept of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India) merges geographical and cultural imagery, positioning Kashmir as her head.
This representation incites patriotic fervor, aligning Kashmir’s possession with national identity.

Kashmir's natural beauty is imbued with feminine characteristics, portraying the land as an object of desire, much like a woman.
Historical comparisons to beautiful women accentuate the territorial possessiveness felt by India.

Use of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) allows military immunity in Kashmir, leading to numerous human rights abuses.
Reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and sexual violence abound, yet continue largely unaddressed.
Entire generations in Kashmir subjected to violence during protests and state repression, developing adverse socio-political landscapes.

Violence against Kashmiris justified under the guise of maintaining stability and order in the nation.
The complicity of cinema and media in shaping narratives around Kashmir, leading to stereotypical representations that fuel further discrimination.

Often, manifestations of dissent within Kashmir are met with extreme repression, highlighting a nationalistic democracy that lacks genuine democratic engagement.
The Indian state’s portrayal of Kashmir as integral to its national identity complicates political discourse and marginalises Kashmiri voices and narratives.

Notable figures such as Parveena Ahangar, advocate for the rights of families of the disappeared, showcasing grassroots activism.
Challenges faced by Kashmiri women in navigating feminist discourse and nationalism are exemplified through their activism.

The article emphasizes that Kashmir stands as a critical focal point that reveals larger trends in Indian nationalism, identity politics, and the militarized governance evident in contemporary Indian democracy.

Kaul expresses gratitude to referees, editors, and specific individuals who supported this manuscript.

Nitasha Kaul is an academic, novelist, and expert in narratives surrounding Kashmir, identity, and feminism.

Extensive citation list detailing a wide range of works related to the topics discussed, including studies on gender and violence, historical accounts of Kashmir, and critiques of Indian nationalism.