Justoppose

A woman watches, an outsider observes.

The lone Kashmiri woman watches as a convoy of Indian troops move towards the border with Pakistan. I like the voyeuristic view of this roadside standoff and the juxtaposition between the soft fabric wrapped woman and the steel encased soldiers. Not all standoffs have to be violent; a standoff of sentiments. Not all standoffs are equal. Kashmir for Kashmiris? Kashmir as an integral part of India? Kashmir with Pakistan under Islam? I wonder what is going through the woman's mind. Maybe she's miffed that her transport to work is held up in the jam caused by the convoy? Maybe she's silently cursing under her breath at the sight of the armed hindu/infidel occupiers? Maybe she's wondering what she will prepare for the family meal tonight?