Tattoos once seen as symbolic of rebellion are now starting to fade from young Kashmiris’ bodies as political and security issues tighten across the Valley, prompting tattoo parlors to see an unprecedented surge in requests – not for fresh ink but painful laser removal services – from young Kashmirians.
Over the past year, numerous youth from southern districts like Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag have visited clinics to remove tattoos that once symbolized protest or solidarity with separatist sentiment – including inked AK-47s, graffiti-style “Azadi” slogans and other politically charged symbols such as tattooed “Azadi” slogans.
Behind this trend lies an increasing fear of security forces profiling or facing social and professional hurdles due to visible political affiliations. A tattoo removal specialist in Srinagar who asked not to be named due to security considerations described how one boy came in with a Kalashnikov tattoo on their forearm; having received it at 17 but now applying for government jobs fears rejection, according to reports of rejection of an application process for rejection reasons.
This change mirrors a larger shift underway in Kashmir since the repeal of Article 370 in August 2019, which removed its semi-autonomous status. As security surveillance increases and law enforcement tightens down on any expression deemed anti-national, personal symbolism that had previously gone unnoticed is now under closer scrutiny.
Tattoos depicting weapon imagery or carrying slogans like “Shaheed” have reportedly led to intense questioning during routine security checks, prompting even routine security checks into becoming intrusive processes. A 24-year-old shopkeeper from Anantnag recently paid Rs 12,000 to have his ‘Rebel with a Cause’ tattoo erased; otherwise he felt fear every time he crossed a checkpoint. “Fear is real,” according to this individual who no longer wanted to look over their shoulder when crossing any checkpoint.”
Local police have denied targeting youth with tattoos solely, yet numerous residents report otherwise. Some even allege being detained briefly or interrogated solely because of their ink. “No one needs more trouble in an already difficult time,” stated a university student who removed their “Azadi 1947” tattoo prior to leaving for study abroad.
Tattoo artists are changing as well, refusing to inflict political or weapon-themed tattoos on clients. “Whereas before there was demand for freedom slogans or weapon imagery, now more clients want religious or neutral symbols instead,” stated Asim of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk as they make this adjustment.
Social pressure is another contributing factor. According to Dr. Huma Rashid, families have become more vigilant against any signs of rebellion — whether artistic or otherwise — from their children, said Dr. Huma Rashid. Furthermore, “there has been a generational shift; today’s young Kashmiris prioritize survival, stability and future prospects over symbolic resistance”.
As Kashmir struggles with an altered political reality, its youth’s decision to forgoing politically-charged tattoos may be seen as both personal and collectively indicative of identity transformation; perhaps one laser session at a time.