Author(s): Hijiet Rafiq

Abstract: For many years, Kashmir has been an area characterised by political instability, ongoing conflict, and the psychological effects of extended violence. The lasting effects of trauma, the subduing of lived experiences and the normalisation of fear were created by this complex socio-psychological experience. In all this pain and misery arises an indistinct yet deep kind of resilience, the potential of both the individuals and communities to survive, adjust and even thrive in the face of ongoing marginalization. This research examines the ways in which the people of Kashmir, especially its marginalized groups, use activism, cultural expression, communal support, and resilience as coping methods to balance survival and silence. The transition of Kashmiri experience from victimhood to power is illustrated in this study, so it places this study within the major theme of “From conflict to thriving” tracing on various angles from psychology, sociology and cultural studies. It investigates resilience in the mind as a coping mechanism and an act of resistance. Resistance acts as a transforming power that proclaims humanity when confronted with demeaning situations, strengthening personal identity and preserving memories, which proves that resilience goes beyond mere courage or tolerance. Collectively, this essay discusses the politics of healing, resilience, and marginality. The paper rethinks what it means to "live" in situations of complete alienation by looking at the overlaps between community action, cultural preservation, and personal steadfastness. Kashmir remains a place of struggle, but it is also a symbol of the people's unyielding vitality and fury.

Keywords: marginalization, conflict, psychology, trauma, resilience.

Article Info: Received: 07 Jan 2025; Received in revised form: 09 Feb 2026; Accepted: 11 Feb 2026; Available online: 14 Feb 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.111.44