Professor Riyaz Punjabi

Professor Riyaz Punjabi was born in Srinagar in 1947 and grew up immersed in the syncretic traditions of Kashmir, which later became the foundation of his intellectual work. He pursued law and earned a doctorate, but his interests quickly expanded into political science, human rights, and peace studies. His career was marked by a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, and he became a respected academic voice both in India and abroad. He taught at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir from 2008 to 2011, and held visiting positions at Jamia Millia Islamia and the Indian Institute of Advanced Study in Shimla. His lectures took him across continents, where he spoke on terrorism, inter-religious conflicts, and the cultural resilience of Kashmiriyat.

In 1993, he founded the Centre for Peace Studies in New Delhi. Through this institution, he created a platform for research, publications, and dialogue on South Asian geopolitics, conflict resolution, and multiculturalism. He also launched the Journal of Peace Studies in 1994, which remains a key outlet for scholarship on peace and conflict. His writings included six books, numerous chapters in edited volumes, and over twenty monographs, all of which reflected his deep concern for human rights and his belief in the power of cultural traditions to counter extremism.

Recognition of his work came in the form of prestigious awards. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2011 for his contributions to literature and education. He also received the Amity Academic Excellence Award, the Fazil Memorial Award, and the Adbi Markaz Kamraz Award. In 2008, the International University of Vienna honoured him with an honorary professorship for his contributions to strengthening global educational ties. These accolades reflected not only his academic achievements but also his role as a public intellectual who sought to bridge divides in a region often torn by conflict.

Professor Punjabi passed away on 8 April 2021, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship and institution-building. His vision for ICPS was to make it a hub for peace research and dialogue, and his emphasis on Kashmiriyat as a cultural antidote to violence continues to resonate in academic and policy circles. His life’s work stands as a testament to the idea that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of understanding, respect, and cultural harmony.