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Srinagar, Indian Managing Kashmir – Srinagar in a quiet laser clinic in the largest city of India managed Kashmir, Sreinagar, Sameer Wani, arm and the pale ink in the skin of the skin.
The word “Azadi” is slowly disappearing in the laser’s spot, a bold revolt against India’s power. Once the disobedience badge was a load that did not want to do.
28, 28, watching the ink, and drags to a day that the mind will never forget. Indian security forces rode on a motorcycle with a friend when they stopped at a checkpoint.
One of the officers in the flutter pointed to the tattoo on his arm and “What is it?”
Sameer’s heart competed. “I was lucky that he could not read Urdu,” Al Jazeera says he was interested in the memory. “It was a close call. Indeed, then this tattoo could bring me to a serious problem.”
When he was young, he said that the tattoo was “a sign of power to stand for something.”
“But now I see a mistake. It doesn’t represent who I am more. It’s not worth the risks and not worth something that can hurt my future.”
Sameer is a very young Kashmiris who chooses to delete the tattoos, once reflecting political beliefs, emotional struggle or personality. Once proudly worn once, the tattoos are now in the growing numbers in the region – calm and unfortunate.
Although a trend to relieve tattoos has already continued, in 1947, like independent nations such as independent nations, they have increased their relevance from Kashmir to three wars and from Pakistan Brink of another war After 26 people were killed in the stage in Pahalgam, Pahalgam, Pahalgam in Kashmir, in Kashmir last month.
New Delhi charges Islamabad To support an armed uprising Erupted on the Indian side in 1989. Pakistan said that this claim was provided by Moral Diplomatic Support to the Sechlatist movement of Kashmir.
In India, India, Pahalgam, May 7, Pakistan and Pakistan launched missile shootings in the “terrorist camps” in Kashmir, Pakistan and Pakistan – The Most wide border missile strikes Since the war in 1971. During the next three days, the world took its breath as South Asian nuclear power fire exchange The United States President Donald Trump has declared a ceasefire among them on May 10.
However, peace remains fragile in Indian forces by Indian forces in Indian-driven Kashmir, which has been violated by fear. Suspicious rebels were destroyed, while others were raided and more 1500 people were arrested Since the attack on Pahalgam, many are under the laws of preventive arrest.
‘We feel this in our skin’
In such a tense atmosphere, many cashmans say they are exposed to young people, and they feel more moderate than the forms of most individual expression.
“Every time something is happening between India and Pakistan, it is almost in our skin – as if” Rayes Wani, a 26-year-old regional district region, Al Isserir says.
“Hürriyet leader has a tattoo Syed Ali Shah Gelani’s name After the attack on my arm and Pahalgam, I began to take strange views in the checkpoints, “he said, Applying to a 91-year-old separatist leader in 2021.
“Even my friends ask me anxious questions. The media, police and even neighbors begin to look differently,” said Rayeys.
“I would like to define someone’s loyalty or character of a tattoo. We just try to live, I want to explain ourselves every day. I want to delete it as soon as possible.”
Arsalan, 19, recently ordered a tattoo lifting session from Pulwama. He did not prefer the surname from the authorities to the fear of revenge.
“People with visible tattoos – especially those who point to the former political affiliation – suddenly, they can be questioned – or worse,” he said.
To be sure, the tattoo culture itself is not faded in Kashmir. Tattoo studios are still busy, especially with clients with 22 to 40, many hours do not expect volume. However, the trend changed; Instead of political or religious tattoos, people now prefer minimalist designs, inspired patterns, names or stylish fonts.
Some Cashmiris trying to get rid of tattoos says a part of the individual evolution and growth.
“For me, this was the courage,” he said. Now 36, Yagoob, when he was in a young age, he made a tattoo on his left arm.
“After that, I felt like a symbol of courage. But I realized how much I changed.
Many reasons to delete tattoos
This is not the security forces that manage this movement between many kashmiris to get rid of tattoos.
Tattoos for some were painful A turbulent reminders in the past. For others, especially when they tried to move forward with professionalism, and their personal beliefs turned into obstacles when they want to align their article as a whole.
Amea Mir, who lives in Srinagar, had a sword with Azadi and “Azadi”. Took out a few weeks ago.
“People say why they remove the tattoos. I removed the mine because of the pressure of my family,” he said.
“Which Tatar is the Tatar I want. No one should judge me to judge me for this.
One of the main reasons for people who eliminates tattoos are religion. In a Muslim-majority region, especially religious or political messages, can often contradict the teachings of faith.
Faheem, when he was 24, 17, he knocked on the verse of a Qur’an behind him.
“At that time, I thought it was an act of faith,” he said. “But later, we were not modest in the events (in Islam).
Many said they share feelings. Some visit religious scientists to ask if some of the tattoos are influenced by their prayers or faith. Most are encouraged to take steps that bring them closer to their beliefs when not stopping over past actions.
“It’s not about the accusation of anyone,” he said. “It is about the growth and understanding. No one does not match the beliefs of something they do in the past, and it takes steps to correct it, it is a shame, not a shame.”
Another basic factor that removes the tattoo is job security. The government work in Kashmir is seen as stable and influential. However, a tattoo, especially in a tattoo, which is a political reference, can cause problems or during background inspections.
The Talib, who only announced the name, had a beaten of the verse of a AK-47 rifle in the forearm. When applying for a state position, a family-friendly problem in law enforcement may be a problem.
“He did not say really, but I could say that he was worried about me,” he said. “Since then, I’ve been over half-sleeved shirts. I’ve been a lot of rejects and no one knew no one else, but in a deep way, I felt like a wall between me.”
Demand for tattoo demand, Clinics in Srinagar and other parts of India managed Kashmir, clinics see the continuous increase in customers. Laser sessions are pre-ordered in advance weeks in advance once.
Mubashir Bashir, a well-known forging artist, a forgotten tattooing service, said: “In 2022, the trend of the AK-47 tattoo was exploded after the death of the famous singer.” Sidhu Moose Wala, who often glorifies weapons, was killed in May 2022. Police accused the death of the crowds in the competition.
“But now, especially after the Pahalgam attack, we see more people come to delete these tattoos. The fear is real,” he said.
Tens of thousands of tattoos in the region since Seven years, since 2019 canceled the half autonomous status of Kashmir, and thousands of civilians were expected to be arrested. “Some, forging, do not represent them anymore. Others note the problems at work or traveling,” he said.
Laser tattoo removal is not easy. Many sessions require, spend thousands of rupees and can be painful. Even after the successful removal, weak prints or traces remain often. But a lot of pain is worth it.
“Azadi” tattoo almost gone, remembers the emotional weight of the process. “I didn’t cry when tattoos,” he says. “But I cried when I started to remove it. I felt like I left some of myself.”
Again, Sameer thinks that this is the right choice. “It’s not a shame,” he says. “I respect who I am. But I want to grow up. I want to live without looking at my shoulder.”
When finishing another laser session, a weak wound is the cry of Kashmir, who is a war for freedom.
“I will never forget what the tattoo is about when I was 18 years old.” Sameer says he rolled his arm. “But now I want to be a new one. I want a life I’m not carrying old shades.”
