Countdown to end of 2025: 99 days
The morning walk on an empty stomach straight after waking from a good night's sleep was achieved for the second day in a row.
Waking up in Rawalakot.
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Upon request, a nasty but common example of how writers (writers, journalists, academics etc.) in the Vale of Kashmir are targeted, is presented below:
Young Scientist and Author Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz Faces Ban After Bold Book on Kashmir’s Future
Kulgam, Kashmir — Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz, a young scientist and author from Kashmir, has recently stirred both admiration and controversy with the release of his latest book addressing peace and politics in the Valley. Known for his academic brilliance and research contributions, Shahnawaz ventured into authorship with a courageous attempt to highlight the pressing concerns of Kashmiri youth.
In his book, he explores pathways toward sustainable peace in Kashmir, while critically analysing how political structures and vested interests have impacted generations of young people. With a blend of scientific reasoning, social understanding and personal observation, the work seeks to offer constructive dialogue rather than division.
However, the bold narrative has not been received well by certain political quarters. Reports suggest that local political figures moved swiftly to suppress the circulation of the book, resulting in an unofficial ban. According to sources, the book’s critical stance on political families and power dynamics in the region is the key reason behind the clampdown.
Despite this setback, Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz’s voice continues to resonate among Kashmir’s youth, many of whom see him as a rare figure combining scientific insight with social courage. Supporters argue that silencing intellectual perspectives only deepens the Valley’s wounds, while Shahnawaz himself remains committed to knowledge-sharing and dialogue.
Observers note that his case raises broader questions about freedom of expression, intellectual independence, and the challenges faced by young thinkers in conflict-affected societies. As his work circulates informally, the ban has only amplified interest, sparking debates across academic, political and social circles.
For many, Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz represents a new generation determined not just to study the universe as scientists, but also to illuminate the human struggles closer to home.
Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz
Srinagar, J&K
..
Here is a brief excerpt from the above referenced book:
KASHMIR
GENOCIDE
The Dark Truth
We want Modi here?
Genocide is not only when blood is shed;
it is when dreams are silenced, when
hopes are buried, and when fear
becomes the only language a people are
allowed to speak.”
..
I received a response from a European political scientist familiar with the region. This is what he had to say:
I do not know Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz’s book, unfortunately, so I cannot comment on it.
"Reports suggest that local political figures moved swiftly to suppress the circulation of the book, resulting in an unofficial ban. According to sources, the book’s critical stance on political families and power dynamics in the region is the key reason behind the clampdown."
Without knowing the contents, I might only suspect that the author may be critical of local power structures and rightly so. This has been a serious problem of Kashmir since 1947: its politics and political exchange of ideas has been hijacked by a handful of political clans who has hold on the grip of power most of the time. In other words, they have monopolised the political discourse till date.
Their grip of power is certainly linked to financial privileges and direct/indirect business opportunities, in a way creating an semi oligarchical system of politics and business, from which they profit. An external criticism coming from circles unrelated to that oligarchical system can easily be perceived as a threat to their existence and personal influences, perhaps even as more dangerous than Indian domination in many cases.
It remains to be seen to what extent Suhail Ibn Shahnawaz’s ideas reflect the real sentiments of the youth. If they do, and if they also impact the youth (as a kind of feedback circuit), they may contribute to a kind of ‘rebellion’ of the sort faced in Bangladesh, Nepal, Morocco, Madagascar etc. in last several months.
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