Gulfam Rashid audio interview

00:00 Talks about where he was born and early memories of Kashmir.

00:45 Describes racial tensions between Kashmiris and Pakistanis in secondary school. Struggles with self-identity during mid-teens.

01:45 Memories of political education and protests through his father’s involvement with the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front movement.

02:47 Became aware of racial prejudice within the community and later developed own understanding of Kashmiri identity by questioning the variety of languages and cultures.

05:09 Grandfather’s involvement in the Second World War and the subsequent formation of the Kashmiri region. Discusses how the political movement didn’t take the people into consideration.

08:29 Further examination into Kashmiri separatist movements and their goal of independence from surrounding states. Confusion over Kashmiri identity when comparing geographical differences with language and culture, to find variety of both things within Azad Kashmir itself.

14:08 Explains the struggles with Kashmiri self-identity as an immigrant.

15:22 Feels his own cultural identity is Punjabi but calls himself Kashmiri. This question of identity is in constant flux.

16:53 Doesn’t want his children to suffer from the same struggles in identity he did. Talks about the importance of British identity here in the UK. But still wants his children to retain Punjabi language and culture.