Between democracy & nation : gender and militarisation in Kashmir / Seema Kazi.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--London School of Economics.

Includes bibliographical references.

Militarism and militarisation --
Militarisation and the indian state militarisation in kashmi r--
Gender and militarisation in kashmir --
Conclusion.

This book focuses on the militarisation of a secessionist movement involving Kashmiri militants and Indian military forces in Jammu and Kashmir. In contrast to conventional approaches that distinguish between inter-and intra-state military conflict, this analy sis of India's external and domestic crises of militarisation is located within a single analytic frame: It argues that both dimensions have common politi- cal origins.

Highlighting the intersection between the two the author maintains that the heaviest and most grievous price of using the military for domestic repres- sion and for the defence of Kashmir is paid by Kashmir's citizens and society. Drawing on women's subjective experi- ence of militarisation, she examines the relationship between state military processes at the 'national' level and social transformations at the local/societal level.

By way of conclusion, she maintains that Kashmir's humanitarian tragedy- exemplified by its gender dimensions i underlines why militarisation has failed either to ensure 'security for the state or security and justice for Kashmiris. A decentralised, democratic state with a plural concept of nation and identity she believes, is the best safeguard against using the military for domestic repression within, and extraordinary military and nuclear consolidation of the Indian state, without.