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Kashmir valley in India’s northwest, where the majestic Himalaya and Karakorum mountains merge, was once prized by poets and mystics as a heaven on earth. Today, the region has been transformed into what some call “an open prison.”
The noncitizens are now threatened with deportation and several thousands have already been sent to detention centers. The government of India’s programs against minorities in these regions does not appear to be an episodic event; rather, it appears to be part of a new narrative about citizenship and belonging that raises existential questions about the future of India’s democracy. The current condition of the vulnerable human in India, and violence against religious minorities, which includes Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and others, calls for scholarly reflection and discussion. Our panel of experts explored the fate of India’s democracy and its significance for the world.
Panelists:
James Rush, Arizona State University (moderator)
Ather Zia, University of Northern Colorado Greeley
Suvir Kaul, University of Pennsylvania
Yasmin Saikia, Arizona State University
Daniel Rothenberg, Arizona State University