Episode 12 | In conversation with Ather Zia | Counter-narratives on Kashmir and the myth of normalcy

Episode 12
78th day of communication blockade since August 5, postpaid mobile services restored, internet and prepaid mobile services still down.

In the weeks after August 5, where we saw a total communication clampdown in Kashmir, the groups which were majorly speaking against the lockdown and the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A were Kashmiris living outside Kashmir and India. The Kashmiri diaspora organized protests across the world, while Kashmir remained under a deadlock. Today we will be speaking to Ather Zia, a Kashmiri writer, poet and a political anthropologist who teaches at University of Northern Colorada. She will speak to us about how the Kashmiri diaspora has been responding to the situation in Kashmir.

Ather also speaks to us about representation of Kashmir in nationalist, political and media narratives, and about myths and counter narratives which are at play when one talks about Kashmir in India. 

Further, Ather received an email last week saying that Facebook is permanently deleting her account, without citing a reason. After intervention from digital activists, her account was restored. Ather speaks to us about her ordeal while dealing with Facebook. 

Before we speak to Ather, we've updates from Tangdhar in North Kashmir. A cross fire between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control has led to the death of three individuals and injures to atleast three more. Kashmiri journalist Javid Ahmad will tell us what the situation in Tangdhar is like after the night long crossfire.