Shrinking Spaces, Silenced Voices: Women Journalists Fighting for Truth in Kashmir

Shrinking Spaces, Silenced Voices: Women Journalists Fighting for Truth in Kashmir


In Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), media freedom has sharply shrunk, and this crackdown has disproportionately affected women. Female journalists face multiple layers of repression, raids, book bans, legal harassment, online trolling, intimidation, and threats. Cultural and societal barriers further restrict their movement, access to fieldwork, and ability to speak in public. As a result, women’s voices and experiences are deliberately silenced, their stories of conflict, militarization, displacement, and human rights abuses excluded from public discourse. Instead, a single state-sanctioned narrative dominates, erasing the pain, demands for justice, and critical perspectives of women. Anuradha Bhasin, Managing Editor of the Kashmir


Times, is a clear example of both the risks and resilience of women journalists in IIOJK. A senior journalist reporting on cross-LOC issues, human rights, gender, and conflict for decades, she has consistently amplified the voices of marginalized communities, particularly women. Her commitment drew increasing retaliation. In 2025, her book A Dismantled State: The Untold Story of Kashmir After Article 370 and 24 other academic works were banned, cutting off critical analysis of displacement, economic exclusion, and women’s struggles. In May, her social media account was blocked along with over 8,000 others linked to Kashmir, further silencing her.


The state raided the Jammu office of the Kashmir Times, filing an FIR against Bhasin, accusing her of criminal conspiracy, supporting “secessionist ideas,” and participating in “anti-national activities.” Authorities even claimed to find weapons in an empty office, allegations she categorically denied. She stated, “We won’t be cowed down. We won’t be silenced. Journalism is not a crime. Accountability is not treason.” Bhasin’s struggle is not unique. Women journalists across IIOJK face similar harassment simply because of their gender, their courage, and their commitment to truth. Societal restrictions already limit women’s work opportunities, and state repression compounds the problem, silencing critical reporting on militarization, corruption, and human rights abuses.


Yet, women journalists remain resilient. They continue reporting, moving content online, and highlighting issues affecting women, widows, and the marginalized under occupation. Their efforts show that supporting female journalists is essential to creating spaces where women can express themselves safely, demand justice, and challenge violence. In a region where fear and censorship dominate, the determination of women journalists like Anuradha Bhasin is a beacon. Their courage ensures that even under threats, silence is not inevitable, and truth continues to reach those who need it most.

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