Articles by Adfer Rashid Shah

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The Kashmir problem has become a monster and nobody knows how to handle it in a balanced manner. It is yet to be understood in its totality and is instead analysed in bits and pieces everywhere, especially in the media.

This article explores how a conflict zone complicates research. Safety and security of the researchers are major concerns, whereas respondents tend to provide incorrect information based on their perceptions of and suspicions about the researcher. The resultant research often provides little insight into the chosen area; instead, it ends up providing broad generalisations and even, baseless theories. The author who conducted fieldwork on “Muslim Endowments and Society” in the valley, also interviewed 20 fellow researchers who worked in the valley between 2009 and 2013.

The monster of media trial in almost every matter in a democratic country, along with the efforts to turn a complicated term like sedition to common sense and everyday use and communalising academic spaces, is a dangerous trend.

The recommendation by the National Commission for Backward Classes for dividing Other Backward Classes (OBC) on the basis of their actual backwardness may benefit a few more other than the “creamy layer.” However, such a move will further complicate the delivery of affirmative action, which may h