119 Holes

Yesterday, Kashmiri journalists won Kashmir’s first Pulitzer prize. It has been a hard-earned recognition as journalists in Kashmir have faced harassment, intimidation and have even been charged with anti-terrorism laws. Journalism in Kashmir is compounded through lockdowns, prolonged restrictions on internet speed and arbitrary detentions. Kashmir Reading Room has made this drawing to capture the suffering endured by journalist Qazi Shibli whose chilling experience was summed up by him:

Did you bring anything from jail?

“I didn’t change clothes for the first fifty-seven days. I had no clothes — I had left my home in a t-shirt and pajama. I washed and re-washed the same t-shirt. By the time I got new ones, my t-shirt had 119 holes.  When I was released, I walked out of the jail in the same t-shirt. I wanted to tell everyone in the world what they did to me. It was a story of subjugation. And it is not just me — there are many more still locked up.

I brought that t-shirt with me.”

Kashmiris who have received awards for journalism:

Ahmer Khan: AFP’s Kate Webb award

Altaf Qadri: 1st prize World Press Photo Contest

Aijaz Rahi: 3rd prize World Press Photo Contest

Rafiq Maqbool: Pulitzer prize finalist, 3rd prize World Press Photo Contest 

Yousuf Jameel: CPJ’s International freedom award

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