A celebration of martyrdom in Kashmir

In Indian Kashmir, whenever a rebel is killed in an encounter, a ceremony is held for the deceased in his native village. Thousands of men and women, young and old, come out of their homes to join in the funeral procession. Some even travel from distant villages or peripheral areas to pay their respects.



Together, they bid adieu to the deceased amid sobs and tears, prayers and slogans, dirges and wedding songs.



Rebels are regarded as heroes and liberators by a large section of Kashmiris. Women shower candies and flowers on the body and apply henna on the hands of the deceased if he is unmarried. The new wave of militancy in Kashmir is witnessing boys pick up arms to fight against Indian rule. Many of the new recruits are therefore either students in their early- or mid-20s, or teenagers, most of whom are unmarried.



In recent years crowds have significantly increased at funerals for rebels. Those who can’t find a place on ground, climb trees, walls and rooftops to catch a glimpse of their hero. Women often stand by windows, wailing, beating their chests and pulling their hair, while men shoulder the coffin and raise slogans of freedom and sing songs of valour. The shrouded body is then lowered into a grave in a separate graveyard for martyrs.



Many attending funerals make videos of the ritual and circulate it on social media to mobilise more recruits.  This has raised alarm bells for the security establishment who fear more fierce clashes in the future.