Drawing comparisons with Israel's "settler" tactics in the Palestinian Territories, Modi's Hindu nationalist government aims to change the demographic makeup and identity of the Muslim-majority region, critics say. "What I see unfolding is a Hindu settler colonial project in the making," Mona Bhan, associate professor of anthropology at Syracuse University who has long researched Kashmir, told AFP. Locals too now have to apply for the new "domicile certificates" in order to qualify for permanent resident rights. Bahadur Lal Prajapati, born in Indian Kashmir to Hindu refugees who fled Pakistan during its first war with India over Kashmir seven decades ago, is finally an official resident and has "never been so happy." Some 430,000 new domicile certificates have been issued -- despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Dhaka Tribune August 29, 2020 02:37 UTC