Political Dynamics of Identity Politics in Jammu and Kashmir

The politics of identity in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is deeply ischolar_mained in its multiple and myriad forms of identities. All identities are important in their own respects. Each of the identities has its own claims and aspirations. From the view point of moral- political philosophy one identity cannot be privileged over the other unless it concerns to the equal claims over the shared cultural and political space. Multiplicity of identities and identity politics emanates from the complex nature of diversity of the Kashmiri society which has evolved over a period of time. Though Kashmiri identity is presumed to be the dominant identity of the state, there are other equally important identities which do not necessarily wish to be subsumed within the fold of Kashmiri identity. The multilayered internal diversities unfold multiple trajectories of identity articulations and subsequent politics of identity. It is in this context that the present paper seeks to locate the multiple identity politics in the state of Jammu and Kashmir&seeks on the limits&varied challenges to the Kashmiri identity politics. The study makes it clear that it is only during the present phase of conflict that the inner complexities of the state have come to the fore more sharply.