In the Margins of the Headline: Young Kashmiri Journalists Challenge Silence in the Newsroom
At Hindus for Human Rights, our mission includes supporting the next generation of courageous South Asian leaders committed to truth, equity, and justice. In 2023, we sponsored a fellowship for journalist Ilhak Tanray as part of the Azadi Leadership Program, an initiative by The Azadi Project that nurtures young changemakers from marginalized communities across India.
As part of his fellowship, Ilhak chose to focus on a subject rarely addressed in the public discourse around Kashmir: sexual harassment within local newsrooms. For this project, he partnered with fellow cohort member Iqra Qayoom a journalist who shared his commitment to confronting the culture of silence surrounding this issue.
Their collaboration produced a short documentary video and an educational initiative aimed at raising awareness among media professionals and journalism students about the risks and silencing faced by women in the newsroom. Through interviews and training sessions, they sought not only to document the reality but to begin shifting it.
The project took shape well before the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, but it resonates all the more now. In a moment when Kashmir is once again at the center of both national grief and international scrutiny, this project serves as a powerful reminder that the region’s social fabric is shaped not only by geopolitical forces but also by the lived realities of its institutions, its workplaces, and its communities.
Watch the video
Why They Took This On
“Sexual harassment isn’t openly talked about in Kashmir—especially not in our media industry. But we knew that silence wasn’t an option anymore.” – Ilhak and Iqra
The silence around harassment is not accidental. It is held in place by social stigma, lack of institutional accountability, and fear of professional or personal consequences. In Kashmir’s media industry, where gender roles are deeply entrenched and newsrooms are often led by senior men, it becomes even harder for young professionals to speak out. Through their project, Ilhak and Iqra are challenging these norms and creating space for safer, more just media environments.
What They Found
“We heard stories of women who were harassed, threatened, or ignored. Most had no one to report to—no Internal Complaints Committee, no accountability.”
They documented painful but familiar experiences: reporters being told to stay silent or risk losing their jobs, others fearing judgment from their families or communities. Many survivors of harassment in Kashmiri newsrooms felt unsupported and isolated. Through their video and workshops, Ilhak and Iqra aimed not only to bring these stories to light but to start a larger conversation.
The Broader Context
“The #MeToo movement created ripples, but Kashmir has its own rhythms and risks.”
Kashmir is a region where conversations about gender-based violence can easily be sidelined by the dominance of political discourse. But this project shows that structural injustice is not just found in state violence or security crackdowns—it exists in the daily experiences of those trying to do their jobs. This effort by Ilhak and Iqra is a quiet, persistent call for accountability and dignity.
The Role of Youth and Partnership
Our sponsorship of Ilhak’s fellowship reflects Hindus for Human Rights’ long-standing investment in youth-led initiatives that bridge personal courage and structural critique. His decision to work collaboratively, to tackle injustice within his own profession, and to do so with care and moral clarity, represents the kind of leadership we hope to foster through all our partnerships.