Ashok Bhan
Every year, 19th January marks a solemn day of remembrance for the Kashmiri Pandit community-a day etched in infamy as the darkest chapter in Kashmir’s history. This day, often referred to as Kashmir’s Holocaust Day, commemorates the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.
Driven out at gunpoint by an orchestrated campaign of terror, this ethnic minority faced horrific violence, leaving them refugees in their own country. Over three decades later, the scars remain, serving as a grim reminder of the need to uphold human rights and constitutional values.
The Night of Horror
On 19th January 1990, the Kashmiri Pandit community was systematically targeted by militants and radicals supported by Pakistan. The violent insurgency that erupted in Kashmir shattered its centuries-old ethos of pluralism and coexistence. Over 500,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee, leaving behind their homes, businesses, and ancestral heritage. Many properties were destroyed, looted, or forcibly occupied, and hundreds of temples were desecrated. The statistics paint a harrowing picture:
Around 1,500 Kashmiri Pandits were brutally killed, including women and children.
Approximately 250 religious shrines were burned or vandalized.
Over 30,000 houses were reduced to ashes, and 20,000 others were forcibly occupied.
50,000 agricultural families lost their lands, and 20,000 businesses were devastated.
This exodus was not an isolated incident but part of a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing, described by human rights bodies as “akin to genocide.”
A History of Persecution
The plight of Kashmiri Pandits is rooted in a history of systemic discrimination and cultural aggression. By 1947, their population had dwindled to 15%. By 1981, it fell to 5%, and after the exodus in 1990, a mere 0.01% remained. This calculated erasure was executed under the guise of jihad, with slogans like “Raliv, Chaliv, Ya Galiv” (“Convert, Leave, or Die”) echoing across the valley.
Prominent Kashmiri Pandits, including political and social leaders, were among the first to be targeted. Pt. Tika Lal Taploo, a BJP leader, was assassinated in September 1989, followed by the killing of retired judge Pt. Neelkanth Ganjoo.
The murders of poet Pt. Sarvanand Koul “Premi” and his son, and the gruesome massacre of families in villages like Wandhama and Nadimarg, showcased the brutal extent of the violence. In Nadimarg alone, 24 Kashmiri Pandits, including infants and elderly women, were executed in 2003.
Pakistan’s Role in Sponsoring Terror
The insurgency in Kashmir was fueled by Pakistan’s active support for militancy. Sophisticated weapons were smuggled across the border, and uneducated youth were radicalized and recruited into the insurgency. These militants unleashed terror not only on Kashmiri Pandits but also on Muslims, Sikhs, and other communities.
Pakistan’s strategy involved a low-intensity war aimed at destabilizing the region. The use of cross-border terrorism and propaganda has been widely documented. Internationally, groups like the United Nations and the U.S. have recognized Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism, calling for sanctions against such actions.
The displaced Kashmiri Pandits have lived in abysmal conditions for over three decades. Camps in Jammu, Delhi, and other cities have become permanent homes for this community. Despite the passage of time, their longing to return to their ancestral land remains strong. Efforts to rehabilitate them have been inadequate, and successive governments have failed to ensure their safe return.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India described the atrocities committed against Kashmiri Pandits as “akin to genocide.” The United Nations and global human rights bodies have condemned such acts of ethnic cleansing. However, the international community’s response has largely been symbolic, with little tangible impact on the ground.
Kashmiri Pandits have repeatedly petitioned the government for justice and recognition of their plight. In 1993, the Protection of Human Rights Act was enacted, and the NHRC was established to address such violations. Yet, the community’s demands for accountability, including the prosecution of those responsible for the massacres, remain unfulfilled.
The Way Forward
Restoring Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos requires a multi-faceted approach:
Combating Terrorism: Pakistan must cease its support for cross-border terrorism. India’s policy of zero tolerance for terrorism must be upheld, with stringent measures to safeguard citizens.
Rehabilitation and Return: The government must prioritize the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland, ensuring their security and political empowerment. Their cultural and spiritual rights must be protected.
Political Reforms: Greater political inclusion is needed to foster a pluralistic and democratic society in Kashmir. This includes engaging marginalized voices and promoting a narrative of peace and coexistence.
Economic Revival: Reviving Kashmir’s economy through investment, tourism, and development initiatives can create opportunities for all communities, reducing the appeal of militancy.
Civil Society Initiatives: The Kashmiri civil society, predominantly Muslim, must introspect and actively work towards rebuilding trust and fostering harmony among all communities. Recent trends of political participation indicate a collective yearning for peace.
A Hopeful Future
Despite decades of violence, the resilience of the Kashmiri Pandit community remains unshaken. Their cultural heritage, spanning over 5,000 years, is an integral part of Kashmir’s identity. Today, there is a growing acknowledgement among Kashmiri Muslims that the return of Pandits is essential for restoring the valley’s lost glory.
As we observe 19th January each year, let it not only be a day of mourning but also a call to action. It is a reminder to uphold human rights, to reject intolerance, and to strive for a Kashmir where all communities can live in peace and dignity.
The voices of Kashmiri Pandits must be heard, their rights restored, and their dreams of returning home realized. Only then can Kashmir reclaim its legacy as a cradle of civilization and a beacon of hope for pluralism and unity.
(The author is a senior advocate at, the Supreme Court of India, a Distinguished fellow of USI and; Chairman-Kashmir(Policy & Strategy) Group)
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