In Episode 05, Dr. Ritwik engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Kacho, a Scotland-based researcher of Comparative Politics currently working as a post-graduate teaching assistant at the University of Dundee. Driven by his personal experiences growing up amid the intensity of the Kargil war between India and Pakistan (May to July 1999), specifically in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir, Fayaz shares how this conflict profoundly shaped his interest in comprehending the dynamics of conflict and militarism from a civilian standpoint.
Fayaz’s narrative sheds light on the profound impact of the Kargil War, revealing how spaces within conflict zones carry diverse meanings and memories. He articulates the constant pressure faced by individuals from the frontier regions of India, who find themselves compelled to continuously affirm their nationalism, loyalty, and patriotism to the country.
Delving into the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Fayaz eloquently discusses how India’s ruling Hindu nationalist government disenfranchised and disempowered the inhabitants of this contested region. The consequences of these actions left the people of Kashmir, Ladakh, and Kargil without adequate security and representation especially concerning lands, jobs, and political sphere.
Dr. Fayaz Ahmed Kacho, having recently completed his doctoral studies at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence within the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, brings a wealth of academic expertise to the discussion. Additionally, he holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from Jamia Milia Islamia in Delhi, India, further enriching his perspective on the complex issues at hand.
