Army

Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual violence have characterised Indian military operations in Kashmir. Of these, sexual violence has been used widely to “break” individuals and communities, and as a tool for punishing resistance against violence by the Indian state. The discourse around sexual violence, however, has always revolved around women with very little focus on men and transgender persons, given the patriarchal understanding of sexual violence and power relations. A critical part of this discussion is also looking at how the patriarchal structure of the society acts as a facilitator for the effective use of sexual violence as a tool against the people. The sexual violence that is propagated and implemented by a masculine patriarchal state can be resisted well with a deeper understanding of gender dynamics.

The burden of grief for victims of regime-sponsored repression and state atrocities is compounded by the public denial of their loss and suffering. The Supreme Court's decision on the writ petition filed by Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur and families of persons extrajudicially executed by security forces in Manipur is a milestone in the struggle for truth and justice. The judicial response has refashioned the law, responding to the suffering and pain of the aggrieved and tempering the law with justice.