WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO RETHINK THE PARAMETERS OF IMPERIALISM AND COLONIALISM FOR A CONTEMPORARY ERA?

Abstract

This research explores the impact of imperialism and colonialism on the suffering of the Kashmiri people, drawing upon the profound insights of Suzanna Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. The novel serves as a politically charged narrative that unveils the hidden agendas of imperial power while advocating for humanity and justice. Roy’s commitment to truth and resistance against oppression underscores her belief that literature can expose the cruelty of colonial structures. Her stance on Kashmir as an “occupied territory,” expressed in a 2010 interview, reinforces her ideological support for its independence. Through the character of Musa, a freedom fighter enduring relentless hardship, Roy depicts the Kashmiri struggle for liberation and dignity. The novel’s postcolonial framework echoes Gayatri Spivak’s question, “Can the Subaltern Speak?” (1988), emphasizing the silenced voices of marginalized communities. Ultimately, Roy’s work broadens the discourse on how both dominant nations must reassess their treatment of Kashmiris. This study argues that the path to peace lies in acknowledging Kashmir’s distinct identity and ending the cycle of violence symbolized by guns, stones, and bloodshed.