RE-GENERATING ROOTS: CULTURAL IDENTITY AND ADAPTATION AMONG POST 1989 KASHMIRI MIGRANTS

Abstract

Following the unrest and contested elections of 1989, large numbers of Kashmiri civilians crossed the Line of Control, seeking refuge in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) amid widespread violence and instability in the Kashmir Valley. This research explores the lived experiences of these post-1989 Kashmiri refugees, focusing on their adaptation, cultural identity, and community reconstruction in exile. Drawing on qualitative interviews, archival data, and field observations in AJK refugee settlements, the study highlights the complex processes of cultural preservation and transformation, the role of memory and nostalgia in sustaining a sense of belonging, and the intergenerational negotiations of identity that emerge among displaced communities. The paper examines how refugees navigate socioeconomic challenges, including housing, livelihoods, and education, while negotiating their political aspirations and future prospects of return. Special attention is given to the gendered dimensions of refugee life, revealing how women have contributed to cultural continuity and adapted to changing family dynamics. By documenting the resilience, struggles, and evolving identities of these Kashmiri refugee communities, the research contributes to a broader understanding of conflict-induced displacement, diaspora formation, and refugee integration in contested geopolitical settings.

Keywords:Forced Migration, Displacement, Kashmir Conflict, Refugee Resettlement, Cultural Resilience, Exile Communities, Memory And Belonging, Cultural Identity, Identity Reconstruction