The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of people all over the world. The sense of powerlessness and the fear of infection has alienated people regardless of political situations. But in areas of conflict or military and political occupation, populations are even more at risk. One of these areas is the contested provinces of Kashmir and Jammu. Doug Becker speaks to Mona Bhan about what life is like here during a global pandemic.

Mona Bhan is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Syracuse University. She is an expert in border wars and counterinsurgency and is the author of Counterinsurgency, Democracy, and the Politics of Identity in India.

Podcast:

 

This interview originally aired on the Scholars’ Circle. To access our archive of episodes and download this interview, click here.

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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this discussion reflect the views of the guest and not necessarily the views of The Big Q. 

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