The Indian government has come under criticism for taking advantage of a spiritual journey to meet political ends. From a distance, several Indian soldiers blow whistles and wave their right hands frantically while holding AK-47 assault rifles chained to their bodies on the left. This is an order for all vehicles to pull over and stop on the main highway that links India-administered Kashmir to the rest of the world. The ritual is familiar to the regular commuters, many of whom grow restive and start cursing the Indian state that…
Read MoreHow a Hindu pilgrimage became militarised in disputed Kashmir
