Persecution of Hindus in Jammu & Kashmir: A Detailed Historical Account
Introduction
Jammu and Kashmir, known for its breathtaking beauty and cultural diversity, was once a peaceful region where people of different faiths coexisted. However, in the late 1980s, especially from 1989 onward, the valley witnessed a horrific transformation due to the rise of Pakistan-backed Islamist militancy. The primary victims of this terror were the Kashmiri Hindus, particularly the Kashmiri Pandits, who were subjected to targeted killings, mass exodus, and severe atrocities.
The Beginning of the Exodus – 1989
The year 1989 marked the rise of militant organizations such as the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which demanded the separation of Kashmir from India. These groups, receiving training and support from Pakistan, began issuing threats and orchestrating attacks on the Hindu minority in the region.
January 19, 1990 – The Night of Terror
On the night of January 19, 1990, loudspeakers across mosques in the valley broadcasted threatening slogans like:
- “Raliv, Galiv, ya Chaliv” (Convert, Die, or Flee)
- “Kashmir mein kya chalega – Nizam-e-Mustafa” (What will prevail in Kashmir – Islamic rule)
That night marked a mass psychological assault on Kashmiri Pandits. Armed militants roamed the streets, Hindu houses were marked, and women were specifically targeted. By the next day, thousands began to flee, and a mass exodus of over 3,50,000 Hindus began.
Crimes Against Humanity
Between 1989 and 2004, 219 Kashmiri Pandits were reported killed according to the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
According to India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, 1,406 Hindus were killed between 1991 and 2005 in the region. These numbers include:
- Government employees
- Teachers
- Political workers
- Civilians
- Women and children
Many women were raped and brutally murdered. Temples were desecrated, and homes were either destroyed or forcibly taken over.
The Refugee Life: Camps and Struggles
- Most of the Pandits sought shelter in Jammu, Delhi, and other parts of India.
- They were placed in refugee camps, where basic facilities were inadequate.
- These camps became centers of despair – with poor sanitation, limited education, and lack of job opportunities.
- A whole generation lost their homeland, culture, and way of life.
Cultural Genocide
Kashmiri Pandits are the custodians of ancient Shaivism and Sanskritic traditions. Along with lives lost, a deep cultural void was created:
- Temples were desecrated or abandoned.
- Religious texts and manuscripts were lost.
- Local festivals and rituals vanished from the valley.
The World’s Silence
Despite being one of the largest instances of ethnic cleansing in post-independent India, the tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits received very little global attention. Human rights organizations were mostly silent. There was no international outcry comparable to other global crises.
Efforts at Return and Rehabilitation
The Indian government later announced packages to encourage the return of Pandits to the valley:
- Special jobs, housing, and rehabilitation schemes were promised.
- Yet, only a small number returned due to:
- Security concerns
- Loss of original property
- Lack of confidence in local administration
Many still live as refugees in their own country, decades after being displaced.
Conclusion
The persecution of Hindus, especially the Kashmiri Pandit community, in Jammu and Kashmir is not just a case of displacement—it is a case of planned ethnic cleansing. While the world often speaks of human rights, this chapter has been mostly ignored in international forums. Documenting these events is essential not only for historical accuracy but also for justice and remembrance.
The tragedy of Kashmir is not only about geopolitics, but also about lost lives, broken families, and a culture forced into exile.
