In recent years, India’s democratic reputation has come under growing international scrutiny, particularly regarding the region of Jammu and Kashmir. Once celebrated for its pluralism and intellectual diversity, India faces increasing criticism for systematically silencing critical scholarship on Kashmir. This trend has worsened since August 5, 2019, when the Indian government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status. Since then, scholars, journalists, and activists who question the official state narrative have faced detentions, intimidation, legal threats, and censorship.
The Shrinking Space for Academic Freedom
The defining feature of a functional democracy is its capacity to tolerate dissent, debate, and critical inquiry. However, in the case of Kashmir, the Indian state has taken steps to criminalize dissent and marginalize voices that challenge its policies. Universities and research institutions, once seen as spaces of free expression, are now under pressure to adhere to a single, nationalist narrative. Indian scholars writing about Kashmir are subjected to surveillance, intimidation, and, in some cases, arrest. The risk is especially high for those who speak out on issues like militarization, human rights violations, self-determination, or the use of force by India in the region. Many academics now self-censor, avoiding research topics that could incite the state’s response. Those who continue to engage in critical inquiry face serious consequences, including job loss, visa rejections, or action under strict laws.
Targeting International Scholars and Researchers
India has also started targeting foreign academics who study or write about the Kashmir issue. In 2023, Dr. Nitasha Kaul, a professor from Kashmir living in the UK, was not allowed to enter the country even though she was invited to give a speech at an academic event. Other international researchers have had their visas canceled, been added to a blacklist, or questioned at airports just because of their work on Kashmir.
This shows a change in approach from using influence and diplomacy to using strict nationalistic policies.Even people who are not taking sides and just doing research are seen as a threat to the country’s security. It sends a clear message that supporting or studying Kashmir in an independent way is not acceptable, no matter where someone is from.
Criminalization of Dissenting Journalism
Alongside academic suppression, journalists in Kashmir are often targeted with harassment and imprisonment. Fahad Shah, the founder of The Kashmir Walla, has been arrested several times under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA). Journalists Aasif Sultan and Sajad Gul are still in jail because of their reporting on security operations and the lives of civilians in the conflict area.
Independent journalism, which is very important for academic research, is being attacked. News websites are blocked, reporters are raided, and media companies are closed down without proper legal reasons. This has left a big gap in information, which not only makes it hard for people to understand what’s happening but also makes it difficult for academic studies to proceed.
Silencing Kashmiri Voices
It is especially alarming that the voices of the people of Kashmir are erased from both national and international platforms. Kashmiri scholars, students, and writers often face travel bans, academic blacklisting, or social media censorship. Their efforts to share personal narratives or historical perspectives are labeled as “anti-national” or “separatist.” The result is the monopolization of discourse by state-backed institutions that portray the conflict through a securitized lens. For instance, student groups that have held seminars or events on Kashmir’s political history have been accused of “sedition” and some have been banned completely. Libraries in Kashmir have reportedly removed books that examine the region’s political aspirations, colonial history, or human rights abuses.
Implications for Democracy and Scholarship
India’s actions against scholars who criticize Kashmir are not just a local problem — they show a larger trend toward authoritarian control. When a government stops academic research, it breaks the freedom to speak openly and harms how knowledge is created. Without being able to explore different ideas, it’s hard to find truth, achieve fairness, or reach peace. This strict control also hurts India’s standing in the world of education.Top universities globally are worried about working with Indian schools because of the limited freedom to think and speak. This harms India’s reputation as a growing democratic country and weakens its influence through education and culture.
Conclusion
The silence on academic research about Kashmir isn’t just about punishing scholars — it’s an effort to delete memories, change the past, and control how people talk about it. Real peace and calm in Kashmir can’t come from strict rules and control. It needs open talks, honest study, and including many different opinions, especially from people living in Kashmir. Right now, though, India’s actions show a big refusal to face difficult facts. And until that changes, research on Kashmir will keep being blocked by censorship, fear, and quiet.
Muhammad Batish student of International Relations at National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Intern at KIIR.
