Women Negotiating Public Sphere in Conflict-Ridden Kashmir: A Case of Sacred-Sites

Abstract

This article examines the intersectionality of patriarchy, religion, and conflict by evaluating the nature of space offered by shrines to women in Kashmir. Besides fostering spirituality, the shrines of Sufi mystics serve as an essential public sphere in Kashmir. Due to the protracted armed conflict and limited spatial availability, shrines have emerged as the predominant sites for political mobilization, socialization, and religious pedology. Therefore, an assessment of gender politics at shrines by employing a public sphere framework allows a re-conceptualization of the idea of women’s engagement in politics and issues of agency. It further illuminates the nuanced role of religion in conflict and its gender ramifications.