Understanding the Lived Experiences of Tibetan Muslims in Kashmir: A Mixed Method Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the lived experiences of Tibetan Muslims in Kashmir. They witnessed active and passive forms of exclusion during pre and post-migration. Though they enjoyed a dignified life before Tibet was conquered by China, once China colonised Tibet and its people, the Tibetan Muslims migrated for safeguarding their lives. Their post-migration settlements in different parts of India could not help them live life the way they lived in Tibet. To understand the challenges and exclusion they face, we conducted this study on 50 participants (comprising 30 men and 20 women) from the Tibetan Muslim community living in Kashmir. These participants were recruited with the help of a key informant. A mixed-method analysis was used to get comprehensive information about the research problem. The results of our study reveal various forms of exclusion: (a) caste-oriented, (b) marriage practice-related, (c) family-related, (d) exclusion in higher education, (e) occupation-based and (f) exclusion from various items listed in the Tibetan Muslims Deprivation Index in Kashmir. The authors attempted to understand their sense of being excluded, discriminated against and alienated on many grounds by meticulously attending to various narratives obtained through face-to-face interviews.