PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE ABROGATION OF ARTICLES 370 AND 35A ON KASHMIRI POPULATIONS

Abstract

This qualitative study has examined the psychological effects of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on the people in Kashmir in the aftermath of the constitutional changes that were introduced in August 2019. The researchers used a systemic review of available literature, network reports, documentation of human rights, and published accounts to identify mental health consequences of these political changes. The study employed content analysis, thematic analysis, and the critical discourse analysis of the secondary materials such as peer-reviewed articles, governmental reports, and testimonials to pinpoint the key psychological implications to which Kashmiri community could be exposed. The results showed that there were seven significant themes such as collective trauma and identity crisis, increased levels of anxiety and uncertainty, lack of autonomy and agency, grief and mourning processes, intergenerational psychological effects, resilience and coping strategies, and political alienation and erosion of trust. The study revealed that there was a high level of psychological distress among the affected groups which was manifested in the sense of dispossession, fear, anger, and helplessness. The research also reported on the resilience measures used by the communities to overcome the political and emotional turbulence. The study has led to the realization of the overlap between political change and mental health in the conflict-stricken territories and the criticality of culturally sensitive psychological interventions and policy implementation addressing the emotional health of the people that underwent such significant changes in their constitutions.