“Fear is real”: Why do the Kashmiri youth remove tattoos from weapons, “freedom” | Indian Pakistani tensions

Srinagar, Kashmir from the Indian -At a quiet laser clinic in the largest city of Kashmir, which is run by Indian, Serenagar, Samir Wani sits with his arm, and his eyes after the faded ink on his skin.

The word “Azadi” (Freedom in the Urdu language), which was a bold symbol of rebellion against the rule of India, disappears slowly under the supervision of the laser. One day a challenge sign became a burden that no longer wanted to carry it.

Like Samir, 28 years old, watching ink fades, his mind drifted for one day that he will never forget. He was riding his motorcycle with a friend when the Indian security forces stopped them at a checkpoint.

During the pelvis, one of the officers referred to the tattoo on his arm and asked, “What is this?”

Samir’s heart was ran. “I was lucky because he could not read the Urdu,” as Al -Jazeera told, his voice is distorted with memory. “It was a close call. I knew this right that this tattoo could make me a serious problem.”

He said that when he was younger, the tattoo was “a sign of strength and defending something.”

“But now I see it was a mistake. It does not represent anymore.

Samir is one of the many Kashmiri youth who choose to erase tattoos, which once reflects their political beliefs, emotional struggles or identity. Once it is proudly wearing, the tattoo is now removed in increasing numbers throughout the region – quietly and without noise.

While there was a tendency to remove tattoos already, the urgency has been deepened since India and Pakistan – who fought three wars on Kashmir since its appearance as independent countries in 1947 – came Another edge of war After 26 people were killed in the scenic coordinated town of Paalgam, the Indian director, Kashmir, last month.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad Support armed rebellion This broke out on the Indian side in 1989. Pakistan rejects this claim, saying that it only provides moral diplomatic support for the separatist Kashmir movement.

Two weeks after Paalgam, India, on May 7, launched Predawn Done attacks and a missile on what was called “terrorist camps” inside Pakistan and Kashmir run by Pakistan- The most cross -border missile strike Since their war in 1971. During the next three days, the world was its breath as nuclear power in South Asia Exchange Until US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire between May 10.

However, peace is still fragile in Kashmir, the Indian administrative director, where the forces left the Indian forces the area attracted by fear. The suspected rebel homes were destroyed, while others raided, and more than 1500 people were arrested Since Paalgam’s attack, many preventive detention laws.

“We feel it on our skin.”

In such a tense atmosphere, many Kashmiri youth say they feel exposed – and more vulnerable to scrutiny even the most personal expression.

“Every time something happens between India and Pakistan, we feel it on our skin – literally,” Rice Wani, 26, told a resident of the Shubian County, Al -Jazeera.

“I have a tattoo of the Heerwood leader Sayed Ali Shah Gilani’s name On my arms, after the Paalgam attack, I started getting strange looks at the checkpoints, “referring to the separatist leader who died at the age of 91 in 2021. Horik is an alliance of birth groups in the Indian director Kashmir.

“Even my friends ask me uncomfortable questions. The media, the police, and even neighbors start looking at you differently,” Rice added.

“I hope that people understand that tattoos do not determine the loyalty or personality of a person. We are only trying to live, we do not explain ourselves every day. I want to erase this as soon as possible.”

Irsallan, 19, from Poloama recently booked the tattoo removal session. His last name did not participate in fears of revenge against the authorities.

He said: “People who suffer from visible tattoos – especially those who hint at previous political affiliations – suddenly feel anxious that they can be recognized or interrogated – or what is worse.”

Certainly the culture of tattoo itself is not fading in Kashmir. Tattoo studios are still occupied, especially with customers between the ages of 22 and 40, many of whom are waiting for ink hours. But the trend has turned. Instead of political or religious tattoos, people now prefer simple designs, patterns inspired by nature, names, or quotes that are meaningful in elegant lines.

Some Kashmiris trying to get rid of tattoos say this is part of their personal development and growth.

“For me, it was about courage,” said Erfan Yakoub from the Paramola region of the island’s case. Now 36, Yaqoob got the name of the dead rebels on his left arm when he was a teenager.

“At that time, it seemed to be a symbol of courage. But now, when I look at it, I realized how much it changed. Life continued, and so has.

Many reasons for removing tattoos

Not only is the security forces that lead this step between many Kashmiris to get rid of tattoos.

For some, the tattoo has become painful A reminder of a troubled past. For others, they turned into obstacles, especially when they tried to move forward professionally or wanted to fit the inscription on their bodies with their personal beliefs.

Anas Mir, who also lived in Srinagar, was a smell of a sword with “Azadi” written on it. He removed it a few weeks ago.

“People do not clearly say why they remove the tattoo. I only removed me because of the pressure from my family,” said 25 years old.

“It is my choice any kind of tattoo that I want. No one should judge it. If someone has AK-47 or a political tattoo, this was their choice. The authorities or government should not interfere. Yes, tattoo trends also change over time.”

One of the main reasons behind people who remove tattoos is religion. In the Islamic majority region, tattoos, especially those with religious or political messages, can contradict the teachings of faith.

Fahim, 24, had the verse of the Qur’an tattoo on his back when he was 17 years old.

“At that time, I thought it was a work of faith,” he said to the island of the island, without revealing his last name on security concerns. “But later, I realized that tattoos – especially with the holy verses – were not encouraged (in Islam). He began to disturb me deeply. I felt guilty every time I offered Namaz (prayers) or went to the mosque. This remorse remained with me.

Many others said they shared the feeling. Some religious scholars visit them to ask whether they have tattoos affect their prayers or faith. While most of them are advised not to overcome previous actions, they are encouraged to take steps that bring them closer to their beliefs.

“It is not a matter of blame for anyone,” said Ali Muhammad, the religious researcher in Srinagar. “It comes to growth and understanding. When someone realizes that something they did in the past is not in line with their beliefs anymore, and they take steps to correct it, this is a sign of maturity, not shame.”

Another major factor that leads tattoos is job security. In Kashmir, government jobs are stable and prestigious. But the presence of a tattoo, especially with political references, can create problems during employment or examine the background.

A student, who revealed only his first name, had a tattoo from the verse of the Qur’an in the form of AK-47 rifle on his forearm. When applying for a government position, the family friend has alluded to the law that it might be a problem.

“He didn’t say this directly, but I can say he is anxious,” said 25 years old. “Since then, I have been avoiding half -wings shirts. I got a lot of refusal and no one has given a clear reason, but deep down, I knew that the tattoo was a problem. I felt like a wall between me and my future.”

With the high demand for tattoo removal, clinics in Srinagar and other parts of the Indian director Kashmir are witnessing a steady increase in customers. Laser sessions were booked, rare, weeks ago.

“After the death of the famous singer in 2022, the AK-47 tattoo exploded. The Punjabi singer Sidho Moss, whose music was often glorified, was killed in May 2022. The police blamed his death in the competition of Ping.

“But now, especially after Paalgam’s attack, we see more people come to erase this tattoo. Fear is real,” said Mobashir.

It has been estimated that tens of thousands of tattoos have been removed in the region over the past seven years, since 2019, when India has canceled Kashmir semi -subjective and launched a major campaign, arresting thousands of civilians. “Some say that tattoos no longer represent them. Others mention problems at work or while traveling,” said Mobashir.

Laser tattoo removal is not easy. It requires multiple sessions, cost thousands of rupees and can be painful. Even after a successful removal, scars or low signs often remain. But for many Kashmiris, the pain deserves it.

Samir, who has almost disappeared the emotional weight of the operation. “I did not cry when I got a tattoo,” he says. “But I cried when I started removing it. I felt as if I was leaving a portion of myself.”

However, Samir believes it was the right choice. “It is not a shame.” “I respect who I was. But I want to grow. I want to live without looking at my shoulder.”

When it ends from another laser session, a faded scar is all the remainder of the word that is the war of freedom of Kashmir for freedom.

“I will never forget what this tattoo means for me when I was 18 years old,” says Samir rolling in his possession. “But now, I want to be a new person. I want a life in which I do not have old shades.”