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Until My Freedom Has Come: The New Intifada in Kashmir
In the troubled history of contemporary Kashmir, the summer of 2010 will be remembered as a watershed. Protests against the encounter killings of civilians turned into an unprecedented display of courage, as a new generation took to the streets, their only weapons the stones in their hands. It has been called Kashmir s Intifada, marking a paradigm shift from armed militancy to mass rebellion. Significantly, this was also accompanied by a remarkable explosion in the writing on Kashmir, in a new language of ideas that bypasses the old and parochial ways in which Kashmir has been seen and understood. The pieces in this volume voice the rage and helplessness sweeping through the Valley, while also offering rare insights into the lives of those caught in the crossfire. With contributions from journalists, academics and artists, Until My Freedom Has The New Intifada in Kashmir is a timely collection of some of the most exciting writing that has recently emerged from within Kashmir, and about it.
328 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 7, 2012
Must-read for the uninformed, ill-informed and misinformed chunk of Indians. Reflective, intriguing and eye-opening, this book brings you Kashmir and Kashmiris in a new light.
June 23, 2014
This was compelling for me as I was just in Srinagar, Kashmir for a week and as an American there, this collection explained so many feelings I picked up on but could not describe or even understand about the energy and the feeling of the place.
Dairy of a Summer by Suvir Kaul and also The Islamism Bogey In Kashmir by Najeeb Mubarki gave me real insight and perspective about what Kashmir's having been going through for over 20 years. It's a mix of articles published from various magazines and newspapers between 2009-2010 by journalists, artists, writers, "activists". ( they are all activists though that is a very American perspective)
It gives many voices and great understanding to what some of the Kashmir people have felt and experienced as well as some historical, social and political background.
Dairy of a Summer by Suvir Kaul and also The Islamism Bogey In Kashmir by Najeeb Mubarki gave me real insight and perspective about what Kashmir's having been going through for over 20 years. It's a mix of articles published from various magazines and newspapers between 2009-2010 by journalists, artists, writers, "activists". ( they are all activists though that is a very American perspective)
It gives many voices and great understanding to what some of the Kashmir people have felt and experienced as well as some historical, social and political background.
August 25, 2011
Excellent collection of articles from a number of prominent academics, activists, and journalists. Based primarily on the events of the summer of 2010, but also sheds light on the broader context of the resistance.
October 6, 2017
While the book started well, the ending was unreadable & I left reading the book 50pages before the end. It contained outright lies. "No Muslim has been ever in powerful and sensitive location". My ass. APJ Abdul Kalam was the commander of Army,Navy & Air Force. Yeah, the entire country of India is repressing Muslims everywhere because we are arrogant Hindus.
While this thing struck me off from the course of reading the book, it does put forward some interesting point of views that the rest of India just ignores.
1. Does anyone ask what Kashmir wants? India and Pakistan both ignore what Kashmir wants
2. Why is it that anyone being apathetic to Kashmir, even 1% is branded as anti national.
3. Why is there a 6:1 soldier to civilian ratio in Kashmir?
But then you have to ignore few stupid theories like " Kashmiri Pandits were made to leave the valley because of a plot to harras Muslims". That's ridiculous. Kashmiri Pandits were at the receiving end of a genocide which is why they left.
But this book is an eye opener for sure; just read it with a pinch of salt.
On last note, it has become a norm for everyone to demand for independence but there is little doubt how things will pan out if Kashmir does get independence. When the political leadership fails to cater to the aspirations of their people despite getting ₹₹ from the Central government what great work will they do if they really get independence. What Kashmir needs before independence is a strong leader like Raj Thackeray is to Maharashtra. Until it happens, independence won't do any good except destroy the new "nation".
While this thing struck me off from the course of reading the book, it does put forward some interesting point of views that the rest of India just ignores.
1. Does anyone ask what Kashmir wants? India and Pakistan both ignore what Kashmir wants
2. Why is it that anyone being apathetic to Kashmir, even 1% is branded as anti national.
3. Why is there a 6:1 soldier to civilian ratio in Kashmir?
But then you have to ignore few stupid theories like " Kashmiri Pandits were made to leave the valley because of a plot to harras Muslims". That's ridiculous. Kashmiri Pandits were at the receiving end of a genocide which is why they left.
But this book is an eye opener for sure; just read it with a pinch of salt.
On last note, it has become a norm for everyone to demand for independence but there is little doubt how things will pan out if Kashmir does get independence. When the political leadership fails to cater to the aspirations of their people despite getting ₹₹ from the Central government what great work will they do if they really get independence. What Kashmir needs before independence is a strong leader like Raj Thackeray is to Maharashtra. Until it happens, independence won't do any good except destroy the new "nation".
May 25, 2020
’The city from where no news can come is now so visible in its curfewed night.’ -Agha Shahid Ali
This was hard to stomach, especially given the circumstances we are currently in. The world is in lockdown, yet Kashmiris have been dealing with this reality (alongside other horrific forms of military oppression & brutality) for much longer than any of us.
Insightful, informative & heartbreaking. Definitely due for a re-read in the future. 4.5⭐️
This was hard to stomach, especially given the circumstances we are currently in. The world is in lockdown, yet Kashmiris have been dealing with this reality (alongside other horrific forms of military oppression & brutality) for much longer than any of us.
Insightful, informative & heartbreaking. Definitely due for a re-read in the future. 4.5⭐️
November 24, 2019
“Over two decades of conflict, Kashmiris have lost the right to speech, assembly and travel; they have lost all guarantees of their freedom from violence, harassment and lawful detention. They have seen every single substantive attribute of democracy give way under the pressure of militarization and the attitudes of those who administer Kashmir.” — Sanjay Kak
This book is a collection of articles, reflections, and op-eds on Kashmir, mostly written by Kashmiris, which seeks to record the accounts and memories in the Kashmiris’ struggle for justice and Azadi (freedom), particularly following the bloodshed in the 2010 unrest where the Indian Army killed around 120 civilians, including youth, who were triggered by the murder of 17-year-old Tufail Matoo and took to the streets to protest against India’s militarisation of Kashmir.
Read this book as part of the book club Because We’ve Read’s assigned reading — and reading it almost 10 years after its publication in 2010/2011, especially with the latest updates in Kashmir, was a chilling experience to say the least. With the Kashmir issue often being portrayed in the media and global discourses as a longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan, this book comes as an alternative narrative of the oft-overlooked perspective: that of the Kashmiris themselves. It was heartbreaking to read about their painful struggles, but what was more heartbreaking was their hopeful optimism — no one would’ve guessed that in 2019 with Modi’s re-election, their situation would take a turn for the worse.
My only (technical) issue with the book was how repetitive some parts of it could be (since it’s a collection of articles from a number of writers with varying writing styles) but ultimately it wasn’t too bothersome. Highly recommended for those interested to learn more about Kashmir, but trigger warnings.
4.5/5.
This book is a collection of articles, reflections, and op-eds on Kashmir, mostly written by Kashmiris, which seeks to record the accounts and memories in the Kashmiris’ struggle for justice and Azadi (freedom), particularly following the bloodshed in the 2010 unrest where the Indian Army killed around 120 civilians, including youth, who were triggered by the murder of 17-year-old Tufail Matoo and took to the streets to protest against India’s militarisation of Kashmir.
Read this book as part of the book club Because We’ve Read’s assigned reading — and reading it almost 10 years after its publication in 2010/2011, especially with the latest updates in Kashmir, was a chilling experience to say the least. With the Kashmir issue often being portrayed in the media and global discourses as a longstanding conflict between India and Pakistan, this book comes as an alternative narrative of the oft-overlooked perspective: that of the Kashmiris themselves. It was heartbreaking to read about their painful struggles, but what was more heartbreaking was their hopeful optimism — no one would’ve guessed that in 2019 with Modi’s re-election, their situation would take a turn for the worse.
My only (technical) issue with the book was how repetitive some parts of it could be (since it’s a collection of articles from a number of writers with varying writing styles) but ultimately it wasn’t too bothersome. Highly recommended for those interested to learn more about Kashmir, but trigger warnings.
4.5/5.
September 29, 2016
Must read for the people interested in Kashmir conflict.
May 2, 2021
A great selection of extended essays which actually prove a deep, divisive conflict brimming under the illusion of democracy.
June 18, 2025
“The demand of the Kashmiri people is 'Azadi' (freedom). Freedom to be themselves, to choose their national destiny. We are not Indians. We are Kashmiris. We have a history, a language, a culture that demands recognition.”
A broad overview of the Kashmiri intifada of the 2010s. This book is a collection of essays documenting the Kashmiri uprising against Indian settler-colonialism. The intifada was widespread resistance against Indian occupation. It was the moment Kashmiri youth picked up the stone to hurl at Indian occupying forces.
Settler-colonialism is when settlers attempt to not only a colonize a land, but to replace its people, culture and lifeways. This is done through colonial expansion and militarism of the occupying forces.
The occupying forces normalize and enforce the settler-colonial state. Their objective is to entrench the settler-state and expand its territory through indigenous removal.
The Indian Armed Forces, the Israel Occupation Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces are all instruments of the settler-colonial state. These armed forces initiate and incite violence; they wield state power and have colonial jurisdiction under their control. Their function is to uphold colonial institutions, protect capital, ensure exploitation and facilitate land grab.
Ultimately, these armed forces carry out instructions of the state. Their role is to surveil, humiliate, abduct, contain and domesticate a people that are ripe for revolution and prevent any uprising against colonial occupation.
A broad overview of the Kashmiri intifada of the 2010s. This book is a collection of essays documenting the Kashmiri uprising against Indian settler-colonialism. The intifada was widespread resistance against Indian occupation. It was the moment Kashmiri youth picked up the stone to hurl at Indian occupying forces.
Settler-colonialism is when settlers attempt to not only a colonize a land, but to replace its people, culture and lifeways. This is done through colonial expansion and militarism of the occupying forces.
The occupying forces normalize and enforce the settler-colonial state. Their objective is to entrench the settler-state and expand its territory through indigenous removal.
The Indian Armed Forces, the Israel Occupation Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces are all instruments of the settler-colonial state. These armed forces initiate and incite violence; they wield state power and have colonial jurisdiction under their control. Their function is to uphold colonial institutions, protect capital, ensure exploitation and facilitate land grab.
Ultimately, these armed forces carry out instructions of the state. Their role is to surveil, humiliate, abduct, contain and domesticate a people that are ripe for revolution and prevent any uprising against colonial occupation.
December 7, 2019
The book was really enlightening and shocking. Although it had some inevitable repetitions as it's a collection of essays from various authors, the texts were nicely arranged from more informative in the begging to complete political and sociological analysis towards the end. Although it focuses on the events of 2010 , nowadays it's more relevant than ever in discussions about Kashmir and in general about the right to self-determination in various areas around the world like Catalunya. It's easy to read the book although a deeper analysis requires careful reading and critical thinking. Recommended.
November 15, 2019
Interesting book, which allowed me to have a better knowledge and understanding of what is happening there. I also did like that this book and contributors appeal to different media (graphic novel, music...).
I did find it repetitive though and a by the end, a bit boring to read because of that.
I did find it repetitive though and a by the end, a bit boring to read because of that.
October 29, 2018
4.5/5
A much better albeit less neat primer to Kashmir today than the 2011 Verso volume (ed. Tariq Ali).
A much better albeit less neat primer to Kashmir today than the 2011 Verso volume (ed. Tariq Ali).
September 12, 2025
Which Indian defender of national integrity will answer the question that a Kashmiri in Tangmarg asked: “Why don't you feel our pain if we are a part of your body?”
December 25, 2025
"Muslims and Communists. Kashmir has both."
brilliant collection of essays surrounding the 2010 intifada in Kashmir. Azadi always. 🍁🍁🍁
brilliant collection of essays surrounding the 2010 intifada in Kashmir. Azadi always. 🍁🍁🍁
July 21, 2014
An honest account of the valley - marking some crucially important voices that have remained unheard and unrecorded for a very very long time.
The book got me hooked immediately - not just because it comes edited from a filmmaker I personally revere, but for its interesting and eclectic mix of writings, moorings as well as profound arguments raised by some very important writers of our times.
Some of the writings such as 'How I became stone-pelter for a day' and 'Kashmir's Abu Ghraib?' among the rest were particularly moving especially in the existentialist context of Kashmir. 'Diary of a Summer' by Suvir Kaul is an open-hearted account of a first hand experience that even though many have talked about, but few have written and been read. Humor in the form of 'Respected Shobha Rani' comes as a pleasant surprise in the middle of the book lunging you to carry on and delve into much deeper issues of 'Captivity' and 'Memory' in Kashmir. Malik Sajad's graphic novelette 'The New Intifada' is a treat to read and watch, whereas Mridu Rai's article 'Folding Kashmir into India's Imagination' is a deeply important article to be read and understood in the wake of recent geopolitical advances in Kashmir.
An overall 4* even though I'd let my self go to another extra half for the sheer diligence and commitment of the editor and contributors of this book.
The book got me hooked immediately - not just because it comes edited from a filmmaker I personally revere, but for its interesting and eclectic mix of writings, moorings as well as profound arguments raised by some very important writers of our times.
Some of the writings such as 'How I became stone-pelter for a day' and 'Kashmir's Abu Ghraib?' among the rest were particularly moving especially in the existentialist context of Kashmir. 'Diary of a Summer' by Suvir Kaul is an open-hearted account of a first hand experience that even though many have talked about, but few have written and been read. Humor in the form of 'Respected Shobha Rani' comes as a pleasant surprise in the middle of the book lunging you to carry on and delve into much deeper issues of 'Captivity' and 'Memory' in Kashmir. Malik Sajad's graphic novelette 'The New Intifada' is a treat to read and watch, whereas Mridu Rai's article 'Folding Kashmir into India's Imagination' is a deeply important article to be read and understood in the wake of recent geopolitical advances in Kashmir.
An overall 4* even though I'd let my self go to another extra half for the sheer diligence and commitment of the editor and contributors of this book.
September 11, 2016
a good compilation of some disturbing events in Kashmir.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews