It was Peace Time or they said so

An Exploration of Kashmiriyat as Subalternity Depicted in The Misnitry of Utmost Happiness

Abstract

The current research is an attempt at doing postcolonial analysis of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) by Arundhati Roy, focusing upon the plight of Kashmiris as the subaltern. “Can the Subaltern Speak” (1988) by Gayatri Spivak and “Can the Subaltern be Heard?” (2007) by Maggio have been used as the theoretical frameworks. The research tries to find out the answers to the research questions that relate to the perpetual silence, coercion and deception of subaltern into oppression, in this case people of Kashmir. Moreover, it also examines the everyday culture of subaltern in order to see whether it can be heard, as suggested by Maggio. The study makes an attempt at hearing the subaltern via translation. Significance of this research can be gauged from the fact that it lays bare the means adopted by hegemonic power, Indian state in this case, to deny subaltern its due right and is a humble contribution in giving voice to Kashmiris.