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The Generation of Rage in Kashmir
This book describes the lived experience of Kashmiris who came of age between 2007 and 2017. It shows that Kashmiris generally had high hopes for peace and stability when the militancy that began in 1988 ended around 2006. It explores the reasons why there was so much angst and rage, which exploded in agitations and stone-pelting in 2008, 2010, and 2016 and why a new militancy is on the rise. It traces the decilne of hope among the Kashmirirs as the situation worsened from a perceived threat to their identity in 2008 to rage over the killing of innocents in 2010. The anger has finally resulted in support for militancy in 2016.
The author relates the rage to the failure to declare the previous militancy over, and wind up counterinsurgency. He narrates how young people experienced the breakdown of the rule of law, exploring the conflict economy, the rewards for encounters, and terror acts by state-backed mercenaries. He argues that simplistic black-and-white narratives are counterproductive, that these suit both pro- and anti-state actors, and lead the poor and marginal to death. The book presents findings of the most extensive survey of Kashmiri youth, showing that the youth have a variety of aspirations, and that these change over time and across social milieus.
The author relates the rage to the failure to declare the previous militancy over, and wind up counterinsurgency. He narrates how young people experienced the breakdown of the rule of law, exploring the conflict economy, the rewards for encounters, and terror acts by state-backed mercenaries. He argues that simplistic black-and-white narratives are counterproductive, that these suit both pro- and anti-state actors, and lead the poor and marginal to death. The book presents findings of the most extensive survey of Kashmiri youth, showing that the youth have a variety of aspirations, and that these change over time and across social milieus.
- GenresIndiaNonfictionPolitics
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 15, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 10, 2019
A really good book to understand the Kashmir conflict on the Indian side. David Devadas describes with an unbiased approach the excesses committed by the security apparatus in Kashmir, the web of corruption and the government and security officials who have been entangled in it, and the "us" vs "them" black-and-white narrative that two extremes espouse in this conflict.
This book will disappoint those who subscribe to the extreme narratives. It will satisfy neither the Leftists nor the Right-wing, because the first looks at Kashmir exclusively through the lens of oppression and "resistance", and the second through the lens of "anti-national activities" and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. While the first glorifies stone-pelters, militants and even terrorists, the latter demonises all of these, even ordinary Kashmiris caught in the midst of the never-ending conflict. The conflation of all these categories into a single one, which both Left and Right are guilty of, is brought out wonderfully by Devadas.
This book also introduced me to the essential differences between the protests of 2008, 2010 and 2016. The last one was particularly dangerous, not merely because of its scale but because of who the behind-the-scenes actors were. 2016 represents a new phase in the conflict, one that neither New Delhi nor Islamabad can hope to control - unless there is drastic shift in policy on India's part - as for Pakistan, I am deeply pessimistic.
Perhaps one of the few weaknesses of this book is it does not delve deeper into personal narratives of those who have suffered as a result of this conflict. It does have many such narratives, but the book is not essentially written from the perspective of the survivors.
The second weakness would perhaps be that it does not delve much into the role of Pakistan - its agencies, the ISI and the Army, in fuelling the conflict and worsening it. However, this might not have been the primary purpose of the book. Are there books written in Pakistan which examine the phenomenon of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir? I do not know.
Overall, The Generation of Rage in Kashmir is a must-read for those who want to get a nuanced perspective on the conflict. Highly recommended for all Indians, and all Pakistanis too!
This book will disappoint those who subscribe to the extreme narratives. It will satisfy neither the Leftists nor the Right-wing, because the first looks at Kashmir exclusively through the lens of oppression and "resistance", and the second through the lens of "anti-national activities" and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. While the first glorifies stone-pelters, militants and even terrorists, the latter demonises all of these, even ordinary Kashmiris caught in the midst of the never-ending conflict. The conflation of all these categories into a single one, which both Left and Right are guilty of, is brought out wonderfully by Devadas.
This book also introduced me to the essential differences between the protests of 2008, 2010 and 2016. The last one was particularly dangerous, not merely because of its scale but because of who the behind-the-scenes actors were. 2016 represents a new phase in the conflict, one that neither New Delhi nor Islamabad can hope to control - unless there is drastic shift in policy on India's part - as for Pakistan, I am deeply pessimistic.
Perhaps one of the few weaknesses of this book is it does not delve deeper into personal narratives of those who have suffered as a result of this conflict. It does have many such narratives, but the book is not essentially written from the perspective of the survivors.
The second weakness would perhaps be that it does not delve much into the role of Pakistan - its agencies, the ISI and the Army, in fuelling the conflict and worsening it. However, this might not have been the primary purpose of the book. Are there books written in Pakistan which examine the phenomenon of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir? I do not know.
Overall, The Generation of Rage in Kashmir is a must-read for those who want to get a nuanced perspective on the conflict. Highly recommended for all Indians, and all Pakistanis too!
February 2, 2021
A geopolitical survey of the valley and its ever changing youth playing key role for the future of this Indian Union Territory.The author seemingly puts before us his accounts of the interactive life he had with the people and their potential to grow beyond the violence struck environment and become a model state of balance of nature and development among other Indian states.
October 3, 2018
This is a really good book on Kashmir which reflects the problem the kashmiri youth has faced since 2007. Author has mostly given a very unbiased view of all the actors from State, Central and armed forces machinery. What I feel is , author should have dedicated a small chapter on the events that led to the advent of insurgency in Kashmir from late1989 and how it ran amuck during early 90s. Author should also have mentioned the intermittent attacks on KPs during the initial years of the new millennium.
I do also feel that the author sometimes knowingly or unknowingly tried to underplay Pakistan's role in fomenting the unrest in Kashmir throughout the decades starting from 90s till now which is in addition to excesses done by internal police and paramilitary forces. I recommend this book to all those who already know kashmir's history from Maharaja Ghulab Singh time till Kashmir came under the grip of Pakistan fomented militancy in late 80s.
I do also feel that the author sometimes knowingly or unknowingly tried to underplay Pakistan's role in fomenting the unrest in Kashmir throughout the decades starting from 90s till now which is in addition to excesses done by internal police and paramilitary forces. I recommend this book to all those who already know kashmir's history from Maharaja Ghulab Singh time till Kashmir came under the grip of Pakistan fomented militancy in late 80s.
August 23, 2019
Anyone who thinks they can explain Kashmir's issue in a couple of sentences or in a 2 min video is beyond naive.
This book proves the need and importance of having a nunanced understanding of the situation. It tries to explore the various factors which influenced Kashmir and kashmiris in the recent decade - the role of army/military/ police, Indian Govt, pro-india mainstream politicians, separatist leaders, corruption, media, Pakistan, teenage kashmiris vs youth kashmiris vs middle-aged kashmiris, social media - so on and so forth.
For example, let's pick the most common question - do kashmiris want "azadi"? It cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. There is a broad range of spectrum on what kashmiris want. In fact, kashmiris use the word "azadi" in a much broader context than one would imagine.
It also explores the three major conflict periods of the decade - 2008, 2010 and 2016; stressing on why there is merit in understanding each of these conflicts separately rather than viewing them as the on-going militancy since the 1990's.
If you don't know a lot about Kashmir or if you have formed an opinion based on polarized versions of social media/television - I would recommend giving this book a shot.
Having said that, the book could have been edited better and could have been crispier without loosing the details/insights.
This book proves the need and importance of having a nunanced understanding of the situation. It tries to explore the various factors which influenced Kashmir and kashmiris in the recent decade - the role of army/military/ police, Indian Govt, pro-india mainstream politicians, separatist leaders, corruption, media, Pakistan, teenage kashmiris vs youth kashmiris vs middle-aged kashmiris, social media - so on and so forth.
For example, let's pick the most common question - do kashmiris want "azadi"? It cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. There is a broad range of spectrum on what kashmiris want. In fact, kashmiris use the word "azadi" in a much broader context than one would imagine.
It also explores the three major conflict periods of the decade - 2008, 2010 and 2016; stressing on why there is merit in understanding each of these conflicts separately rather than viewing them as the on-going militancy since the 1990's.
If you don't know a lot about Kashmir or if you have formed an opinion based on polarized versions of social media/television - I would recommend giving this book a shot.
Having said that, the book could have been edited better and could have been crispier without loosing the details/insights.
February 25, 2019
One thing this book is, is nuanced. It does not make sweeping generalizations in any of the camps which have stake in the Kashmiri issue.
The generation of rage in Kashmir was a slow process, at least in the period after 2007, and this book deals with that process keeping along with that pace: this even to the extent that sometimes the propositions used seem redundant, in subsequent chapters. Okay, but I can bear that, because it's rewarding as in it cements those propositions in your mind after some time.
I'm not sure if I understood the role of the 'intelligence agencies' mentioned in the book. There was some ambiguity in defining those intel agents and their perverse motives. Also, the mindset of the adults in Kashmir has not been touched upon in the rich way the author describes the youth's.
But this is an important book if one wants to understand the psyche of those 'stone pelters' and radical Islamists uprising against the State in Kashmir. Highly recommended for policy makers coz it's pretty evident in the book that they are most deluded (maybe disingenuously) group in the Kashmir issue.
(Only read this book if you have some idea about the history of Kashmir, this book will set itself after 2006)
The generation of rage in Kashmir was a slow process, at least in the period after 2007, and this book deals with that process keeping along with that pace: this even to the extent that sometimes the propositions used seem redundant, in subsequent chapters. Okay, but I can bear that, because it's rewarding as in it cements those propositions in your mind after some time.
I'm not sure if I understood the role of the 'intelligence agencies' mentioned in the book. There was some ambiguity in defining those intel agents and their perverse motives. Also, the mindset of the adults in Kashmir has not been touched upon in the rich way the author describes the youth's.
But this is an important book if one wants to understand the psyche of those 'stone pelters' and radical Islamists uprising against the State in Kashmir. Highly recommended for policy makers coz it's pretty evident in the book that they are most deluded (maybe disingenuously) group in the Kashmir issue.
(Only read this book if you have some idea about the history of Kashmir, this book will set itself after 2006)
August 9, 2020
Overall, a very good read to understand the nuances of the Kashmir conflict. A very well researched Book - as the author has actually given the views of the people - that he gathered during surveys that he did in schools and colleges.
The author does a good job in busting multiple myths that float around - the most prominent one being the so called desire of all Kashmiris to merge with Pakistan. Using data and proper analysis, he does a good job at busting this myth.
The only problem in this book is that certain parts of it are repetitive. The points conveyed in this Book could have been done in 150 pages itself, and 215 pages were not required. But keeping that aside, a must read for anyone trying to understand the nuances of the Kashmir conflict. Surprised that this Book has not garnered the level of attention it should have!
The author does a good job in busting multiple myths that float around - the most prominent one being the so called desire of all Kashmiris to merge with Pakistan. Using data and proper analysis, he does a good job at busting this myth.
The only problem in this book is that certain parts of it are repetitive. The points conveyed in this Book could have been done in 150 pages itself, and 215 pages were not required. But keeping that aside, a must read for anyone trying to understand the nuances of the Kashmir conflict. Surprised that this Book has not garnered the level of attention it should have!
June 12, 2020
David Devdas's political expertise finds fervent expression in his scathing polemic, that explores, impartially, the pivotal shifts in the Kashmir narrative. As a distinguished reporter writing on the Kashmir issue, his writing lays bare the conflict-ridden state of affairs - the economic crisis, mass disillusionment, the political inertia, and state-sponsored violence.
What makes his writing fascinating is his unbiased and authoritative - yet uncompromising - approach that tears apart the mainstream unitary narrative. He talks about the hateful polarisation, which not only benefits the separatists but also the pro-state supporters while nourishing the vicious cycle of hatred, completely indifferent to the suffering of the masses.
What makes his writing fascinating is his unbiased and authoritative - yet uncompromising - approach that tears apart the mainstream unitary narrative. He talks about the hateful polarisation, which not only benefits the separatists but also the pro-state supporters while nourishing the vicious cycle of hatred, completely indifferent to the suffering of the masses.
September 13, 2022
The author delves into his deep understanding of the Region and its youth to offer his assessment of the situation in Kashmir. He relates the increase in the generation of rage in Kashmir to the inability of people in power to declare the end of conflict at the right time. Exploring vital aspects of the conflict economy, murders for rewards and terror acts by state-backed mercenaries, the author shows how simplistic black-and-white narratives suit both pro- and anti-state actors and lead the poor and marginalized to their deaths.
January 10, 2025
An unbiased view of the Kashmiri conflict of 2008, 2010 & 2016. The authors survey provides glaring insights of Kashmiri youth on 'Azadi', 'jihad', their aspirations, views on Indian forces (BSF, CRPF, Local police) etc.
It'll be great to understand how the polarized views, the black & white narratives and the lives of common Kashmiri youths have changed post 2019.
It'll be great to understand how the polarized views, the black & white narratives and the lives of common Kashmiri youths have changed post 2019.
January 26, 2020
Great book to understand the complexity of current Kashmir. It focusses on the past 10 years only and provides a context. The only part would recommend is for better editing. There were tonnes of repetition throughout and I feel you could have still cut away around 30% of the book to make it better.
Highly recommended read given the current politicial context.
Highly recommended read given the current politicial context.
January 13, 2025
A biased book surely, twisting the facts, moulding in a subtle way against the Indian army, read with caution, though may give you insights about the different side of the story and the perspective from the people of Kashmir.
July 8, 2021
Good read. Gives a different perspective of the last decade in Kashmir.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews