National Identity and Ethnic Identity in the Lifeworld of Baloch Students

The purpose of the present research is exploring qualitatively, national and ethnic identity in the lifeworld of Baloch student at state universities. In this research, grounded theory has been used as one of the qualitative research methods. The research participants were Masters and Ph.D. Baloch students at state universities. Datas are collected through in-depth interviews. Interviews continued to reach theoretical saturation in the various interviewed subjects. Data analysis was performed using open, axial, and selective coding. In the result of data analysis five categories and a core category was achieved. The categories includes: Multilayer and multiple identity resources, identity fluctuation; the movement between national and ethnic identity, the prominence of cultural components and the erosion of the political components of national identity, Representation of Balochi identity in relationship with Otherness and othering; Gajar and construction of identity frontier. The core category is othering of fluid identity. The findings also showed that the context and sources such as religious position, geographical and ethnic location along with conditions such as feeling of political discrimination, ethnic discrimination, media stereotyping, social and political status, and negative stereotypes have multiple links with the research core category.