Return of Kashmiri Pundits NAAD Magazine Jan 2021

Return of Kashmiri Pundits NAAD Magazine Jan 2021

Return of Kashmiri Pundits NAAD Jan 2021

          It has been 31 years since Kashmiri Pundits were forced out of the valley. The hint that the situation is changing began around mid-eighties with the hanging of Maqbool Bhat and the opening of Babri Masjid for Hindu’s. The rigged elections of 1987 were the icing on the cake. It witnessed the rise of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). The acceding of demands to the JKLF in the kidnapping of Mufti Sayeed’s daughter in 1989 gave them added power in the valley. This set the ball rolling on targeting of Kashmiri pundits.

The introduction of Pak based and supported terrorist groups in the valley shifted demands from independence to that of merger with Pakistan. It was supported by an intense radicalization program launched by Wahhabi clerics in the valley. This led to the commencement of a planned and well executed program against Kashmiri Pundits. 

          The first killings appeared in 1999, followed by a message from the Hizb-ul Mujahideen for them to leave the valley. In January 1990, the Farooq Abdullah government was dismissed, and governor’s rule imposed. On Jan 19^th, there were announcements over loudspeakers from mosques, and speeches on road corners and extolling Pakistan and the supremacy of Islam, while criticizing Hinduism. That was the day when Jagmohan Singh took over as governor of J and K.

          The first lot left the valley the next day with limited belongings in whatever manner they could. The larger second exodus was in March and April, after more Pandits were killed. The CRPF gunned down 160 Kashmiri Muslim protesters at the Gawkadal Bridge on January 21, which added to the confusion and worsened the atmosphere in the region. According to inputs, almost 90% of Kashmiri Pundits have left the valley, 400 have been killed and approximately a 1000 remain.

          Both communities have blamed the other for the exodus. Kashmiri Muslims blame the newly appointed governor, Jagmohan Singh, who arrived in Srinagar on 19^th Jan, for encouraging the movement. Kashmiri Pundits believe Kashmiri Muslims, with whom they co-existed for centuries, drove them out with vengeance. Jagmohan, instead of ordering the protection of Kashmiri Pundits and broadcasting an appeal for them to remain, provided them transport and established refugee camps for them in every district. His defensive approach as against an essentially offensive approach encouraged the migration. Kashmiri Muslims believed that the government was encouraging this move so as to open Kashmir for the army to act against them.

          Kashmir then descended into chaos with a full-blown militancy removing hopes for an early return of the Pundits. They were compelled to create a second life for themselves elsewhere in the country. However, the community has still not given up its desires to return to their ancestral homes. Governments have promised support but failed to ensure security for those willing to return. The setting of camps in districts ringed with concertina coils, on similar lines as Israel has done in the West Bank, is not an answer. A return could only happen when there is a change in thought process in the valley.  

          With the abrogation of Article 370, will there be a solution, is the question. The successful conduct of District Development Council (DDC) elections displayed a desire of local Kashmiri’s for democracy and development. It also demonstrated disdain at those pushing for violence. Terrorism has been largely subdued, the Hurriyat, which was at the forefront of anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments has been side lined and over ground workers, which incited the public, have either been arrested or moved underground without financial backing. The situation is slowly moving towards normalcy.

          However, some incidents continue to project that all is not normal. The recent killing of a 65-year-old jeweller, Satpal Nischal, on 31 Dec, only because he had obtained a domicile certificate, giving him rights to purchase land in the valley, indicates that such incidents, though sporadic, would continue to occur. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, which stated that those obtaining domicile certificates and non-Muslims were RSS agents.

          With a generation change in Kashmiri Pundits, there are questions being raised on whether the youth, well settled in different parts of the country, would be willing to return. Most have lost their connection with the valley. Simultaneously, the older generation still displays a desire to return to their roots.

This implies that the government assisted by elected local bodies must move towards changing mindsets within the region. The army, in most parts of Kashmir, has been involved in integrating local youth into the national mainstream. With violence receding, demands for development and enhanced employment avenues increasing, the doors can be opened for Kashmiri pundits to return to their roots.

Simultaneously, complete Kashmir should never be considered on the same page for the movement of Pundits. The DDC elections have displayed wide variation in voting indicating that South Kashmir is still not on the same platform as the rest of the valley. Those regions which are moving towards integration could be the first destination for return. 

However, security may remain an issue which would need a coordinated effort from both the state and central security forces. Security ringed camps can only be a temporary solution, not a permanent answer. This would also restrict movement and prevent integration of society. More important is to involve local communities supported by security agencies to ensure security.

There is likely to be a rebound from Pak sponsored terrorists (local and foreign), but this threat would not be as extreme as it was in the nineties. Further, with Pak remaining under multiple levels of pressures, economic and military, it would need to ensure that its terrorists do not cross limits of Indian tolerance. The fear of another Indian cross border strike would compel it to control its terrorist groups.

Valley political parties, now a part of newly created DDC’s, need to ensure development if they are to remain relevant for future elections. They could be convinced to back government efforts as returning Kashmiri Pundits would bring in funds for development and add to creating employment avenues.

An opportunity has risen, conditions created in some parts of the valley, and these must be exploited. The UT government, in conjunction with security forces and locally elected DDCs must work together to restore Kashmir to its original state of peace. It must be remembered that the complete valley must not be considered on the same platform. Regions where conditions are ripe must be exploited for the return of Kashmiri Pundits.