Our country has dreadful stories of people which clearly shows how one can feel left out in their own country...be it Manipur people .Sikh during Sikh riots or the Kashmiri pandits.
Today lets hear about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits which is not being heard since decades.
Imagine waking up one morning to find a note on your doorstep, threatening you with dire consequences if you don’t leave your home—the place where your family has lived for generations. Imagine the fear of being forced to abandon everything you’ve built, all because of your identity. This was the reality for thousands of Kashmiri Hindus in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when a campaign of terror led to their mass exodus from the Kashmir Valley. As September 14th approaches—a day marked by the Kashmiri Pandit community as Martyrdom Day—their story of displacement, suffering, and unresolved injustice resurfaces, reminding us of the grim reality they still face today.
A Dwindling Community: The Harsh Reality
The 1990 exodus devastated the Kashmiri Hindu community, reducing their numbers in the Valley by over 90%. From a thriving population of around 300,000, only a few thousand Kashmiri Hindus remain in Kashmir today, living in constant fear and under the shadow of the past. Those who fled found themselves displaced, with over 60,000 families seeking refuge in Jammu, Delhi, and other parts of India.
Of these displaced families, roughly 40,000 still live in camps, enduring poor living conditions with inadequate facilities. The government’s meager monthly allowance—barely a few thousand rupees—is insufficient to cover even basic necessities, leaving these families in a perpetual state of struggle. While a small fraction of the community has managed to rebuild their lives economically, many remain traumatized, unable to escape the shadows of their past. Around 15,000 Kashmiri Pandits have emigrated outside India, seeking security and stability elsewhere, further scattering an already fractured community.
Article 370:A Symbolic Victory, But Little Change
The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 was celebrated by many as a decisive step toward integrating Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India. However, for the Kashmiri Pandit community, this political move has not brought the changes they desperately needed. Despite the government's promises, their situation remains largely unchanged. The removal of Article 370 has not facilitated their return to the Valley in significant numbers, nor has it improved the living conditions for those still in camps or facing threats in Kashmir. The symbolic victory has not translated into meaningful action, deepening the community's sense of abandonment.
Living with Trauma: Stories of Resilience and Pain
The trauma of the exodus continues to haunt the Kashmiri Pandit community. Here are a few stories that highlight their ongoing struggle and this is just a tip pf the iceberg.
- Bansi Lal's Story: Once a prosperous shopkeeper in Srinagar, Bansi Lal was forced to flee with his family, leaving behind everything. Now living in a cramped refugee camp in Jammu, he struggles with depression and a deep sense of loss. "Every time I close my eyes, I see my home burning," he says, reflecting the persistent trauma that many in the community endure.
- Sharda’s Plight: Sharda, a widow in her late 60s, lives in a makeshift camp in Delhi, having lost her husband to the violence in Kashmir. Surviving on a small government allowance, her sons, who were once top students, had to drop out of school to support the family. "We are forgotten people," she says, with tears in her eyes. "Our lives have been reduced to waiting—for justice, for better days, for a chance to return."
- Rohit’s Struggle: Rohit was a child when his family was forced to flee. Despite being academically gifted, the poor conditions in the refugee camp made it difficult for him to continue his studies. Today, he works odd jobs to support his aging parents. "The trauma never leaves you," he says. "We were uprooted and have been unable to plant our roots anywhere since."
A Community Left to Fend for Itself
Despite occasional gestures by the government—such as job quotas and housing schemes—these measures have often fallen short of what is needed. The Kashmiri Pandit community continues to live in a state of limbo, with many members experiencing discrimination and neglect. Sporadic incidents of violence and intimidation against those who remain in the Valley only serve to keep the wounds fresh and fears alive.
The Need for Genuine Commitment and Justice As 14th September comes around again, it is crucial to recognize that the plight of Kashmiri Hindus is not just a historical tragedy but an ongoing humanitarian crisis. The endurance and resilience of this community are commendable, but they should not be left to bear this burden alone. Government promises, often grand but hollow, are not enough. The occasional acknowledgment of their suffering every year falls far short of what is truly required.The abrogation of Article 370 was hailed as a major step, but it has brought little meaningful change for Kashmiri Hindus. They continue to live in exile, and those who stayed behind still face the same threats and challenges. The symbolic victory of this political move has not translated into real action for them.
This article does not aim to spread hate against any particular community but to highlight how one community has been deprived of even basic rights for decades. It is important to reflect on how we, as a society, have become more vocal about the plights of Pakistani Hindus, Bangladeshi Hindus, and even Palestinians—which is a testament to our humanity—but we seem to overlook the sufferings of our own people, the Kashmiri Pandits. Their struggle should matter to us, because injustice to any person, no matter when or where it occurs, is an injustice to the whole country. We must ensure that justice is not just a promise but a reality for every individual. The Kashmiri Pandit community deserves more than just remembrance—they deserve tangible action that restores their dignity, rights, and homeland. Only then can we truly say that we have honored their sacrifice and served justice.
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