Kashmir Online, Offline, and Abroad: A New Generation of Freedom Activists since the 2010 Summer of Unrest

Abstract

Formerly the site of militant insurgency, Kashmir freedom advocates have since turned towards nonviolent resistance with growing international support to appeal for separation from India. Demonstrations in the wake of the 2010 ‘summer of unrest’ led to widespread grassroots mobilizations across Kashmir, which have been led primarily by youths. The transition towards nonviolent resistance by Kashmiris while Indian security forces have been accused of human rights abuses have led to greater solidarity with an international community of sympathetic voices. Protests gained momentum within Kashmir as well as abroad, connecting diaspora and other activists through the internet. Due to long curfews and internet shutdowns in Indian Administered Kashmir, international solidarity and mobilization has become increasingly important. This study identifies collective action frames aimed at motivating a broad spectrum of activists in English through social media, art, and other forms of resistance used in globalized social justice movements.