The cycle of violence in Kashmir : The changing nature of the conflict and its escalation in recent years

Connah, Leoni and Mukherjee, Kunal and Kawanami, Hiroko (2022) The cycle of violence in Kashmir : The changing nature of the conflict and its escalation in recent years. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This thesis focuses on the changing nature of the conflict in Kashmir and how this has caused an escalation of violence in recent years. In contrast to previous top-down approaches, this thesis moves towards a bottom-up approach. To do this, the thesis has undertaken an interdisciplinary study to develop a new analytical framework that tries to better understand the situation in Kashmir. Central to this framework is the acknowledgement of the impact of the cycle of violence experienced in Kashmir, particularly during 2010-2020, and the consequent human rights crisis. The focus on this decade is purposefully done to highlight the relationship between the actions of Indian security forces at the top, and those who experience human rights abuses at the bottom. It draws on the experiences of 44 participants, to portray a different perspective of the situation, one that would usually be excluded from discussions in international relations. Moving forward, this thesis roots a possible resolution to Kashmir’s cycle of violence in a practical, three-step process. By way of conclusion, this thesis acknowledges the importance of ordinary voices at a grassroots level and how they not only have the propensity to increase violence in Kashmir, but they are also the key to a peaceful future.