Karnah, Aug 16 (JKNS): Dr. Zahid, a scholar of Political Science, has emerged as a promising academic voice in the field of political science, with particular focus on conflict, borderland societies, political alienation and the lived experiences of marginalised communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Zahid completed his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, under the supervision of Prof. Ishani Naskar, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University. His doctoral research, titled “Borderland People, Conflict and Alienation: A Study of Pahari Community in Jammu and Kashmir,” examines the complex political, social and psychological dimensions of life in borderland communities.
The research assumes particular significance because borderland societies often experience a distinctive set of challenges arising from their geographical location, historical circumstances, security environment and socio-economic conditions. Through his doctoral work, Dr. Zahid sought to understand these realities from the perspective of the people themselves, rather than viewing border communities merely through administrative or security-oriented frameworks.
One of the important features of Dr. Zahid’s doctoral research is its methodological orientation. For generating primary data and understanding the lived realities of the Pahari community, he employed ethnographic and phenomenological techniques.
The ethnographic approach enabled him to engage closely with the community, its social practices, experiences, narratives and everyday realities. It provided an opportunity to understand the social world of borderland people from within their own cultural and community context.
At the same time, the phenomenological approach helped the researcher focus on the lived experiences and perceptions of individuals, particularly how members of the community experience conflict, alienation, identity, marginalisation and life in a borderland environment.
The combination of these approaches gave the research a strong qualitative dimension and allowed Dr. Zahid to move beyond statistical descriptions to examine the voices, experiences and perceptions of the people who are directly affected by the realities of borderland life.
The Pahari community occupies an important place in the socio-cultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. However, communities inhabiting border areas frequently encounter multiple and overlapping challenges, including geographical isolation, limited access to opportunities, socio-economic constraints and the consequences of prolonged conflict.
Dr. Zahid’s research attempts to place these experiences within a broader political-science framework. His work explores questions surrounding conflict, identity, political participation, social exclusion, alienation and the relationship between borderland communities and institutions of governance.
By focusing on the experiences of the Pahari community, his research contributes to the wider academic discussion on how conflict and geographical marginalisation can influence the political and social consciousness of communities living in sensitive border regions.
Dr. Zahid is also a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) holder under MANF, an achievement that reflects his academic commitment and research aptitude. His academic journey demonstrates a sustained engagement with political science, particularly issues related to conflict, identity, marginalisation and borderland politics.
His association with higher academic institutions in West Bengal and his doctoral research on Jammu and Kashmir have provided him with an interdisciplinary academic perspective, bringing together political science, international relations, conflict studies and qualitative social research.
Research Publications:
Apart from his doctoral work, Dr. Zahid has also published various research papers in the field of Political Science in national and international journals. His publications deal with issues connected to political science and the broader questions of society, conflict, governance, identity and marginalisation.
His academic writings reflect an effort to contribute to scholarly debates through research-based analysis and to connect theoretical discussions in political science with realities on the ground.
During his doctoral research, Dr. Zahid also delivered talks and academic presentations on a wide range of subjects related to Political Science. These engagements provided him with opportunities to interact with scholars, students, researchers and academics and to participate in intellectual discussions on contemporary political issues.
His academic engagement has therefore extended beyond classroom and research work, encompassing scholarly discussions and public-oriented intellectual exchanges on various themes within political science.
Dr. Zahid is also a JKPSC-selected Lecturer, reflecting his academic qualifications and commitment to teaching. His transition from doctoral research to teaching further strengthens the possibility of translating his research experience into classroom learning and encouraging students to engage critically with political and social questions.
His research background, particularly his field-based engagement with borderland communities, provides him with a distinctive perspective as an educator. It enables him to connect theoretical concepts such as conflict, alienation, identity, marginalisation and political participation with real-world experiences
At the heart of Dr. Zahid’s academic journey is an attempt to understand the realities of people living in border areas. His research highlights the importance of listening to communities whose experiences are often discussed primarily through the lens of geography, security or conflict.
By employing ethnographic and phenomenological methods, his work seeks to bring the voices and lived experiences of the Pahari community into academic discourse. Such research is particularly valuable for understanding the human dimension of conflict and the ways in which prolonged exposure to difficult socio-political circumstances can influence perceptions of belonging, identity and political participation.
His work also demonstrates the significance of qualitative research in Political Science, where understanding people’s experiences, perceptions and narratives can provide insights that cannot always be captured through quantitative data alone.
Dr. Zahid’s academic profile reflects a combination of research, teaching and public intellectual engagement. His doctoral research on the Pahari community, JRF achievement, scholarly publications, academic talks and selection as a JKPSC Lecturer collectively represent a significant academic journey.
His work on “Borderland People, Conflict and Alienation: A Study of Pahari Community in Jammu and Kashmir” is particularly relevant in the context of contemporary discussions on borderland development, social inclusion, identity and conflict studies.
As research on Jammu and Kashmir continues to evolve, studies that examine the experiences of local communities from their own perspectives can play an important role in developing a deeper understanding of the region. Dr. Zahid’s ethnographic and phenomenological engagement with the Pahari community represents one such effort to bring community experiences into the broader academic conversation.
His journey from a JRF researcher to a Ph.D. scholar, researcher, academic speaker and JKPSC Lecturer illustrates a sustained commitment to Political Science and to understanding the complex relationship between politics, society and the lived experiences of communities in Jammu and Kashmir. (JKNS)
