Conflicted Democracies and Gendered Violence – The Right to Heal: Internal Conflict and Social Upheaval in India

This book explores the impact of political violence on governance in conflicted democracies, particularly in India, emphasizing the need for transformative justice to address gendered violence and social upheaval.

Conflicted Democracies and Gendered Violence – The Right to Heal: Internal Conflict and Social Upheaval in India explores the intricate relationship between political violence and governance in postcolonial democracies, particularly focusing on India. The book highlights the prevalence of both overt and subtle forms of gendered and sexualized violence perpetrated by state and non-state actors. This violence is not only a manifestation of historical injustices but also serves to maintain existing power dynamics between dominant elites and marginalized groups. The authors argue for the necessity of transformative change to address these deep-rooted issues.

Through a comprehensive analysis that includes oral histories, archival research, and legal examinations conducted over three years, the work emphasizes the urgent need for transitional justice mechanisms in conflicted democracies. It specifically examines the internal aspects of protracted conflicts, drawing on case studies from regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Odisha. These examples illustrate the ongoing social turmoil and the inadequacies of official responses to significant acts of violence, revealing the profound suffering experienced by victim-survivors.

The contributors to this interdisciplinary volume, including scholars and practitioners, engage with critical questions surrounding justice, accountability, and the role of civil society. They advocate for the right to heal, emphasizing the importance of listening to the voices of victim-survivors in the pursuit of justice. By addressing the intersections of nationalism, decolonization, and gendered violence, the book calls for a reevaluation of how societies respond to conflict and trauma, ultimately aiming for a more equitable and just future.