Panel discussion on Kashmir conflict


In view of the Indian government’s recent decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomous status, the Swedish South Asian Studies Network invites you to a panel discussion on the latest developments in Kashmir, the motivations behind the changes and implications for India’s domestic and foreign affairs.

We are excited to have four experts from the field with us:

Henrik Chetan Aspengren - Research fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Stockholm Isha Dubey – Post-doctoral researcher at SASNET, Lund University Catarina Kinnvall - Professor at the Department of Political Science, Lund University Ted Svensson - Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, Lund University

Join us on 16 September 2019 at 15:30 at the LU Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, Finngatan 16.

Background:

After decades of violence and unrest in Kashmir, a region divided among India, Pakistan and China and inhabited mainly by Kashmiri Muslims, the conflict has recently taken another turn.

On August 5, 2019, just three months after the re-election of the Modi government in India, Home Minister Amit Shah announced the withdrawal of Article 370 and the related article 35-A, withdrawing Jammu & Kashmir from its autonomy. If not revoked by the Supreme Court, J&K will no longer entitled to its own constitution, state flag and administrative control. Also, non-Kashmiris will for the first time be allowed to buy land and settle in the area, previously prevented by 35-A.

Shah further announced a split of Buddhist-dominated Ladakh from the rest of J&K. From now on, both shall merely be union territories, which means more control by the national government. This way Kashmir would be downgraded twice – it would lose its autonomy granted by 370 and its status as a regular state.

This announcement was followed by a curfew for the Kashmiri population, house arrests for local politicians and the shutdown of internet and phone lines. The government also increased military presence even further.

När: 16 september 2019 15:30 - 16 september 2019 17:00

Var: LU Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, Finngatan 16 / Lund

Arrangör: Swedish South Asian Studies Network - Sasnet

Mer information.