Contributor Guidelines

Last updated: 6/20/2026

Kashmiriat welcomes contributions from writers, journalists, researchers, students, academics, photographers, poets, translators, artists, community historians, and members of the Kashmiri diaspora.

We are interested in work that documents, explains, questions, preserves, and reflects on the conflict, culture, history, memory, politics, and socio-political life of the historical State of Jammu Kashmir.

What We Publish

Kashmiriat accepts submissions in the following areas:

Conflict and human rights
Politics and governance
Culture, language, literature, and memory
History and archival material
Opinion and analysis
Explainers
Interviews
Book, film, music, and art reviews related to Kashmir
Oral histories
Photo essays
Translations
Diaspora reflections
Research-based articles
Personal essays connected to public memory, identity, or society

Geographic Focus

We welcome work related to:

Kashmir Valley
Jammu
Ladakh
Azad Jammu Kashmir
Gilgit-Baltistan
Kashmiri diaspora communities
Divided families and borderland communities
Regions historically, culturally, or politically connected to Jammu Kashmir

Types of Submissions

News and Reports

Reports must be based on verified information, direct sources, documents, interviews, or credible public records.

Analysis

Analysis should explain events, policies, laws, political developments, history, culture, or social issues using evidence and context.

Opinion

Opinion pieces may present strong arguments but must be factually responsible. Opinion writers may criticize governments, parties, institutions, movements, and public figures, but they may not fabricate facts, promote hate, or make serious allegations without evidence.

Explainers

Explainers should help readers understand complex issues in clear language.

Archive Material

Archive submissions may include old documents, photographs, letters, speeches, pamphlets, maps, magazines, newspapers, or personal records. Contributors should explain where the material came from and whether they have permission to share it.

Translations

Translations should preserve the meaning and context of the original. Contributors should provide the original source, language, author, and date where possible.

Word Count

Suggested word counts:

Opinion: 800–1,500 words
Analysis: 1,000–2,000 words
Explainers: 1,000–2,500 words
Reports: 800–2,000 words
Reviews: 700–1,500 words
Personal essays: 800–1,800 words
Interviews: Flexible
Photo essays: 8–20 images with captions
Archive submissions: Flexible

Longer pieces may be accepted if the subject requires depth.

Submission Requirements

All submissions should include:

Full name of the writer
Short bio of 2–3 lines
Contact email
Article title
Article text
Relevant sources or references
Image credits, if images are included
Disclosure of any conflict of interest

Please send submissions to:

editorial@kashmiriat.com

Suggested subject line:

Submission – [Article Title]

Originality and Plagiarism

Submissions must be original or properly attributed.

Kashmiriat does not accept plagiarism. Contributors must not copy text, images, translations, ideas, research, or reporting from another source without proper credit.

If plagiarism is discovered after publication, Kashmiriat may remove the article, add an editor’s note, and stop accepting future submissions from the contributor.

Sources and Evidence

Contributors must provide evidence for factual claims, especially when writing about:

Human rights violations
Legal cases
Political allegations
Historical claims
Casualty figures
Arrests or detentions
Public officials
Organizations
Sensitive personal stories
Conflict-related incidents

Sources may include interviews, documents, court records, official statements, academic work, credible media reports, books, archives, or verified data.

Conflict Reporting Standards

Because Kashmir is a conflict region, contributors must use careful and precise language.

In reports and analysis, avoid using loaded labels as your own description unless clearly attributed. Words such as “terrorist,” “traitor,” “agent,” “martyr,” “enemy,” and “anti-national” should not be used casually.

Use specific descriptions such as:

Civilian
Protester
Political worker
Student activist
Detainee
Security personnel
Armed group member
Militant
Refugee
Displaced person
Survivor
Witness

Hate Speech and Discrimination

Kashmiriat does not publish content that promotes hatred, dehumanization, or discrimination based on religion, sect, ethnicity, caste, tribe, region, language, gender, sexuality, disability, nationality, political opinion, or social background.

Strong disagreement is welcome. Hate speech is not.

Conflicts of Interest

Contributors must disclose any relationship that may affect their writing.

This includes:

Political party affiliation
Government employment
NGO or donor relationship
Activist role
Family connection
Financial interest
Legal involvement
Personal involvement in the issue being discussed

A conflict of interest does not automatically prevent publication, but readers and editors should not be misled.

Editing Process

Kashmiriat reserves the right to edit submissions for:

Clarity
Structure
Grammar
Accuracy
Length
Style
Safety
Legal concerns
Editorial standards

Major changes will normally be discussed with the writer before publication.

Payment

At present, Kashmiriat is [self-funded / volunteer-run / unable to offer regular payment]. Contributors will be informed clearly if a submission is unpaid, paid, commissioned, or part of a special project.

This section will be updated if Kashmiriat develops a contributor payment model.

Rights and Republishing

By submitting work to Kashmiriat, contributors grant Kashmiriat permission to edit, publish, archive, promote, and share the work on its website, newsletter, and social media platforms.

Writers retain moral ownership of their work and will be credited by name unless anonymity is agreed for safety reasons.

Contributors should inform Kashmiriat if the work has already been published elsewhere or is being submitted to another publication at the same time.

Anonymous or Pseudonymous Submissions

Kashmiriat may publish anonymous or pseudonymous work when there is a strong safety reason. The editor must know the contributor’s real identity unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Anonymous publication is not allowed for convenience, political attack, or evasion of accountability.

AI Use

Contributors must disclose if artificial intelligence tools were used substantially in preparing a submission.

AI may be used for grammar, transcription, translation support, or organization, but it must not be used to fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, documents, images, or evidence.

How to Submit

Send your submission to: