Echoes of Pain: Exploring the social sufferings of Muslim Kashmiri women in Indian occupied Kashmir A qualitative content analysis on Indian webseries “Haq se”

Abstract

Highlighting women's issues, this study analyzes the social sufferings of Muslim women in Indian occupied Kashmir and their living patterns in conflicted areas under two major dimensions: gender discrimination and freedom of speech. The study examines the first-ever Indian web-series that focuses on the four Muslim women known as the Mirza sisters, along with their mother Rabia Mirza and aunt Fatima Baig, and their struggles to live in conflicted Kashmir. Qualitative content analysis is used to analyze the dialogues in the series. The research emphasizes the language used in the dialogues to highlight how Muslim women are perceived in Kashmiri society. From a theoretical perspective of feminism, the study underscores the idea of freedom of speech for women and the importance of individuality in a society like Kashmir. In analyzing the dialogues of the web-series, the study reveals that the Mirza sisters have experienced gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, physical abuse, and emotional abuse. Similarly, the series portrays a misogynistic attitude among male characters who hold positions of power. Kashmir is considered a male-dominated society where patriarchy perpetuates gender inequality, affording men freedom to dominate women.