Loopholes in Indian Law: Understanding the Human Cost of AFSPA

“Justice in the Shadows: Uncovering the Loopholes Behind AFSPA”

Introduction: The Spark

It began with a newspaper headline

“Civilians mistaken for militants under AFSPA protection.” 

That single line stayed with me. I couldn’t stop thinking: how can people lose their lives, and yet no one is held accountable? The more I read, the more I saw how certain laws, meant to protect, sometimes create fear and divide communities. My curiosity turned into frustration and then into purpose. I wanted to understand why laws like AFSPA still exist in their current form and how their loopholes allow violations to go unchecked. This project became not just an academic pursuit, but a moral one — a way to explore justice, power, and humanity in a system that often forgets its own people.

Understanding the Problem: Empathy and Observation

As I began researching, I listened to testimonies of families from Manipur and Kashmir — regions living under the shadow of AFSPA. Many spoke of disappearances, detentions, and fear that never leaves their homes.

I read reports from the Human Rights Watch and the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee, and the words “immunity from prosecution” kept appearing. That immunity — a loophole in the law — was what made me understand the depth of the issue. Soldiers act under “special powers,” yet civilians have almost no recourse when things go wrong.

It made me question the balance between national security and human rights. The more I listened, the clearer it became: empathy is the first step toward understanding injustice.

Developing the Idea: Research and Design 

At first, I wanted my project to focus on how laws are written and interpreted. But through discussions with my mentor, Ramya Ma’am, I realised that it’s not just about legal text — it’s about the impact those words have on real lives.

I started analyzing case studies, from the Malom Massacre (2000) to the EEVFAM vs Union of India (2016) case, where the Supreme Court questioned AFSPA’s misuse. I also designed a visual timeline showing how the Act evolved and where its gaps lie.

My peers helped by reviewing my presentation for clarity, and their feedback pushed me to include more voices — both of the armed forces and civilians — to keep my project balanced, evidence-based, and human-centered.

The Prototype or Outcome

For my final outcome, I created a digital awareness poster series and a research presentation titled_

“Loopholes in the Law: When Protection Turns to Power.” 

The series highlights specific sections of AFSPA that allow immunity and contrasts them with real-life stories of affected families. Each slide pairs legal clauses with human faces — a reminder that every law impacts someone’s life. I also proposed a framework suggesting periodic review mechanisms and accountability clauses to ensure transparency.

 Caption: “Section 6 — The shield that silences justice.”

Through this project, I wanted to turn abstract legal terms into something personal and relatable, to show how loopholes in law create real gaps in society — gaps of trust, safety, and justice.

Reflection: What You Learned

This project taught me that justice is not only about what is written in the law, but also about how it is applied. Understanding AFSPA helped me see how even well-intended policies can fail when accountability is missing. One of my biggest challenges was staying objective — balancing respect for the armed forces while addressing violations. Reading first-hand accounts was emotionally heavy, but it taught me resilience and compassion.

I also learned how to research systematically, cite credible sources, and express sensitive issues respectfully. More than anything, I learned that silence helps injustice grow. Speaking about loopholes isn’t being anti-national — it’s about wanting a system that is both strong and just.

Looking Ahead: The Next Step 

Next, I plan to expand my project into a short documentary that gathers student opinions on how laws should evolve in a democratic society.

I also want to interview law students and activists to understand what legal reforms could make AFSPA more accountable.

This project has inspired me to consider studying constitutional law or human rights in the future. I believe every citizen should question laws — not out of rebellion, but out of care for the country’s conscience.

“Justice delayed is not just justice denied — it’s justice forgotten.”

At Keystone International School, we take pride in nurturing learners who think beyond textbooks and engage deeply with issues that shape our society.

We encourage critical inquiry, social responsibility, and ethical awareness, ensuring that every student develops the courage to question, analyse, and lead with empathy.

We invite you to visit our campus and experience how Keystone empowers young minds to engage meaningfully with real-world challenges and contribute thoughtfully to the world around them.

Blog Written By,

Pranav

Grade_11