Sameer Wani sits with his arm extended out in a quiet laser clinic in Srinagar, the largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir, his eyes following the fading ink on his skin.
The word “Azadi” (freedom in Urdu), once a bold symbol of rebellion against India’s rule, slowly disappears under the sting of the laser. He no longer wants to carry what was once a sign of defiance.
Sameer, 28, loses all hope as the ink disappears. He was riding his motorbike with a friend when Indian security forces stopped them at a checkpoint.
One of the officers asked, “What is this?” as one officer pointed to the tattoo on his arm during the frisking.
Sameer’s heart raced. “I was lucky he couldn’t read Urdu”, he tells Al Jazeera, his voice tinged with the memory. It was a decisive decision. I was aware at the time that this tattoo might cause me serious trouble.
When he was younger, he said, the tattoo was a “sign of strength, of standing up for something”.
“But I now realize it was a mistake,” she said. It no longer adequately describes who I am. It’s not worth carrying the risk, and it’s not worth holding on to something that could hurt my future”.
One of the many young Kashmiris who has decided to get rid of tattoos that once sparked their political views, struggles, or identity is Sameer. The tattoos were once a source of pride, but slowly and fanfare are now being removed in increasing numbers all over the area.
While a trend to remove tattoos was already under way, the urgency has deepened since India and Pakistan – who have fought three wars over Kashmir since emerging as independent nations in 1947 – came to the brink of yet another war following the killing of 26 people in the scenic resort town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.
Islamabad is accused of supporting an armed uprising against India in 1989. Pakistan refutes the claim, saying that it only gives Kashmir’s separatist movement moral support.
Two weeks after Pahalgam, India, on May 7, launched predawn drone and missile attacks on what it called “terror camps” inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir – the most extensive cross-border missile strikes since their war in 1971. The South Asian nuclear powers exchanged fire for three days before US President Donald Trump made the announcement of a ceasefire between them on May 10.
Peace in Indian-administered Kashmir, where a regional fear-stricken region has been suffocated by a crackdown by Indian forces, is still fragile. Homes of suspected rebels have been destroyed, others have been raided, and more than 1, 500 people have been arrested since the Pahalgam attack, many under preventive detention laws.
We can feel it coming from our skin.
In such a tense atmosphere, many Kashmiri youth say they feel exposed – and more vulnerable to scrutiny over even the most personal forms of expression.
We literally feel it when something happens between India and Pakistan, according to resident of Shopian district Rayees Wani, 26.
After the Pahalgam attack, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the separatist leader, who passed away at the age of 91 in 2021, began receiving strange looks at checkpoints because he had a tattoo of his name on his arm. The Hurriyat is an alliance of pro-freedom groups in Indian-administered Kashmir.
“Even my friends keep asking me uneasy questions.” Rayees continued, “You start to look at you differently from the police, the police, and even the neighbors.”
“I just wish people understood that a tattoo doesn’t define someone’s loyalty or character. We simply cannot explain ourselves every day because we are living. This should be deleted as soon as possible.
Arsalan, 19, from Pulwama recently booked a tattoo removal session. Due to fears of reprisals from the authorities, he chose not to use his last name.
People with visible tattoos, especially those that hint at their political past, are suddenly concerned that they might be questioned, profiled, or worse, he said.
To be sure, tattoo culture itself isn’t fading in Kashmir. The tattoo studios are still busy, particularly for people between the ages of 22 and 40, who frequently wait for hours to get tattooed. However, a change has occurred: people now prefer minimalistic designs, nature-inspired patterns, names, or meaningful quotes in fashionable fonts rather than political or religious tattoos.
Some Kashmiris trying to get rid of tattoos say that’s part of their personal evolution and growth.
Irfan Yaqoob from the Baramulla district told Al Jazeera, “For me, it was about being brave.” When he was a teenager, Yaqoob, 36, had the name of a murdered rebel tattooed on his left arm.
“Back then, it felt like a symbol of courage. But now that I’m looking at it, I realize how much I’ve changed. I have a family, a job, and other priorities, and life has moved on. I don’t want my past to define me or create trouble in the present. I made the decision to have it removed because of this. It’s not about resentment. It’s about growth”, he said.
There are many reasons to get rid of tattoos.
It isn’t just the security forces that are driving this move among many Kashmiris to get rid of tattoos.
Some people found tattoos to be agonizing reminders of a troubled past. Others turned into obstacles, especially when they sought to advance professionally or align their bodies with their own beliefs.
Anas Mir, who also lives in Srinagar, had a tattoo of a sword with “Azadi” written over it. A few weeks ago, he had it removed.
“People don’t explain why they’re removing tattoos in a clear way.” I removed mine only because of pressure from my family”, the 25-year-old said.
“I get my own personal choice regarding the type of tattoo I want.” No one should consider it to be unfair. If someone had an AK-47 or a political tattoo, that was their choice. The government or the authorities shouldn’t be at risk. And yes, tattoo patterns change over time, he continued, referring to the highly-popular Russian assault rifle, the Avtomat Kalashnikova.
One of the key reasons behind people removing tattoos is religion. Tattoos, especially those that contain political or religious messages, can frequently conflict with the religion’s teachings in a region with a Muslim majority.
When he was 17 years old, Faheem, 24, had a Quranic verse imprinted on his back.
“At that time, I thought it was an act of faith”, he told Al Jazeera, without revealing his last name over security fears. However, I later realized that in Islam, tattoos, especially those featuring holy verses, are not permitted. I became incredibly upset about it. I felt guilty every time I offered namaz]prayers] or went to the mosque. I still have regrets. My only option for reconciling with both my faith and myself was to get rid of it.
Many others said they shared the feeling. Some people visit religious scholars to inquire about how their religious beliefs or prayers are affected by having tattoos. Most people are counseled to refrain from dwelling on their past actions, but they are also encouraged to act in ways that advance their beliefs.
“It’s not about blaming anyone”, said Ali Mohammad, a religious scholar in Srinagar. It’s all about understanding and growth. When someone acknowledges that their actions from the past don’t align with their beliefs any more and takes steps to correct them, it’s a sign of maturity, not shame.
Another key factor driving tattoo removals is job security. Government positions are viewed as stable and prestigious in Kashmir. However, having a tattoo, especially one that contains political references, can cause issues during background checks or hiring.
Talib, who disclosed his first name only, had a tattoo of a Quranic verse shaped like an AK-47 rifle on his forearm. A family member in law enforcement suggested it might be a problem when he applied for a government position.
The 25-year-old said, “I could tell he was worried, but he didn’t say it directly. “Since then, I have been avoiding half-sleeve shirts. No one ever clarified a reason for the rejection I received, but I knew the tattoo was a problem from the beginning. There was a wall between my future and mine.
As the demand for tattoo removal rises, clinics in Srinagar and other parts of Indian-administered Kashmir are seeing a steady increase in clients. Once a fad, laser sessions are now being scheduled weeks in advance.
The trend of AK-47 tattoos exploded, according to Mubashir Bashir, a well-known Srinagar tattoo artist who also owns a tattoo removal business. Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, whose music often glorified guns, was killed in May 2022. His death was the result of an intergang rivalry, according to police.
“But now, especially after the Pahalgam attack, we are seeing more people entering to remove those tattoos.” The fear is real”, Mubashir said.
Since 2019, when India removed Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and began a major crackdown, arresting thousands of civilians, he estimated that tens of thousands of tattoos have been removed in the area over the past seven years. Some claim that the tattoo no longer fits their needs. Others mention problems at work or while travelling”, Mubashir said.
It’s difficult to remove laser tattoos. It can hurt, require several sessions, and costs thousands of rupees. Even after successful removal, faint scars or marks often remain. The suffering is, however, worth it for many Kashmiris.
Sameer recalls the emotional impact of the process, whose “Azadi” tattoo is almost gone. “I didn’t cry when I got the tattoo”, he says. However, I cried as I began to take it off. I felt as though I was letting go of some of who I am.
Still, Sameer believes it was the right choice. He asserts, “It’s not about shame.” I have integrity. But I want to grow. Without looking over my shoulder, I want to live.
Only a small scar from Kashmir’s war-cry for freedom appears as he completes another laser session.
Source: Aljazeera
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