Examining the Marginalization of Kashmiri Pandits: a Study of Community’s Identity Post-1990s in Contexts of SDGs

Objective: The overall objective of this study is to examine the cultural consequences and social exclusion of Kashmiri Pandits after their forced migration in the 1990s. The study aims to explore the psychological, emotional, and identity changes induced by forced migration and exile trauma, assessing their impact on the sense of belonging in the community. Theoretical Framework: This study borrows from Transformation Theory, which examines the migrant community's self-concepts of change. The study also uses diaspora and displacement theories to understand the emotional pain and cultural dislocation of Kashmiri Pandits. Method: The study employs a qualitative approach, borrowing from secondary data gathered from published texts and orally transmitted narratives. Examining historical accounts, literature, and individual testimonies informs the identity crisis and cultural transformation in the community. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that displacement induced intense emotional pain and loss of cultural identity among Kashmiri Pandits. Despite efforts at cultural heritage preservation through religious practices and literary production, the younger generations portrayed a declining sense of belonging to their ancestral heritage due to spatial dislocation. Additionally, neglect by the government contributed to their alienation, both during the Kashmir war and in later political negotiations. Research Implications: This study contributes to the wider literature on forced migration and diaspora by foregrounding the unique challenges of religious minorities during episodes of displacement. It emphasizes the significance of cultural preservation in maintaining communal identity. Originality/Value: By documenting the marginalization of Kashmiri Pandits and their strategies for cultural resilience, this study makes a unique contribution to forced migration, identity reconstruction, and minority experiences under conditions of political displacement.