19 January 1990: A Dark Night That Changed Lives
On 19 January 1990, everything changed for the Kashmiri Pandit community. That night, loudspeakers in mosques warned us to leave, convert, or face death. Families packed their belongings in fear and left their homes, unsure if they would ever return.
The event of 19 January 1990 marked a horrific turning point that forced over 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits to flee the Valley. Threats and violence had already made life unsafe.
People were killed, homes were destroyed, and temples were desecrated. That night marked the beginning of a long exile for the community, one that continues to this day, 35 years later.
19 January 1990: Understanding the Problem
The Kashmiri Pandit community experienced a significant displacement in 1990 due to escalating political unrest and violence in the Kashmir Valley. This period witnessed a surge in terrorist activity, characterised by intimidation, targeted killings, and the destruction of property, including places of worship.
On 19 January 1990, Around 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits left their homes and moved to other parts of India to escape serious threats. This mass migration disrupted the region’s way of life and continues to have lasting consequences for the community today.
Tika Lal Taploo, a respected lawyer and political leader, was assassinated in broad daylight in September 1989, sending shockwaves through the community. Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, who had presided over the trial of Maqbool Bhat, a separatist leader, was gunned down in November 1989. These targeted killings were clear messages aimed at silencing and terrorising the Pandits.
Women were not spared either. Girija Tickoo, a young school librarian, faced a horrific end when she was abducted, assaulted, and brutally murdered. Sarla Bhat, a nurse, was killed for simply being associated with the Indian state. Prana Ganjoo and her husband were brutally attacked, with Prana meeting a tragic fate after being tortured.
Such heinous acts instilled a deep sense of fear, leaving the community with no choice but to abandon their ancestral homes.
On the night of January 19, 1990, warnings blared through loudspeakers in mosques, and posters appeared on walls threatening Kashmiri Pandits to leave the Valley. Chants of “Raliv, Galiv, ya Chaliv” (Convert, Die, or Leave) echoed across the region. It was a night of chaos, fear, and helplessness as families packed whatever they could carry and fled, leaving behind their homes, memories, and heritage.
The displacement wasn’t temporary. Even after decades, many Kashmiri Pandits live in exile, struggling to rebuild their lives in unfamiliar cities. For some, the trauma of losing their homes, loved ones, and identity has left scars that never healed. The erosion of our culture and the lack of acknowledgement from broader society have only deepened our pain. Families who once lived in harmony with their neighbours now carry memories of betrayal, loss, and survival.
The camps—Purkhoo, Jhiri, Muthi, Nagrota in Jammu, and Battalbalian in Udhampur became monuments to governmental apathy. One-room tenements and flimsy canvas tents became home to families who once lived in spacious houses.
The scorching Jammu summer, with temperatures soaring above 45°C, proved especially lethal for the elderly, accustomed to Kashmir’s gentle climate. Death came in many forms—heat strokes, dehydration, snake bites, and perhaps most tragically, from broken hearts unable to bear the weight of loss
The Emotional Weight of 19 January 1990
19 January 1990 marks a deeply significant and painful date for the Kashmiri Pandit community. This day is remembered with profound grief, anger, and solemn reflection as it signifies the loss of life, forced abandonment of homes, and the disruption of their future.
Many Kashmiri Pandits who experienced the events of 19 January 1990 still share their sorrowful accounts.
Take, for instance, the story of Sharda Koul, who was 16 in 1990. She recalls how her family packed what little they could carry and fled overnight, leaving behind everything they had worked for. “We didn’t even get to say goodbye to our neighbours,” she says. “I remember my mother crying as we left our home, not knowing if we would ever return.”
This pain is not limited to those who experience it firsthand; it also affects those who witness it. The younger generation, born in exile, feels the weight of their heritage slipping away.
“My grandparents talk about the orchards in Shopian, the festivals, and the life they had in the Valley,” says Ankit Bhat, a 25-year-old from Delhi. “But for me, it’s just stories. I have never seen my homeland, and I don’t know if I ever will.”
These personal stories highlight the enduring impact of the exodus. They remind us why it is crucial to remember this day and acknowledge the pain that the community continues to carry.
Decades of Neglect
As we mark January 19, 2025 – our Holocaust Day – it has been 35 years since we were forced to leave our homes in Kashmir. For more than three decades, we have witnessed successive governments failing to address our plight, offering hollow promises while our community continues to live in exile. This is our story of systematic neglect and unfulfilled commitments.
One of the harsh realities of democracy is that communities lacking significant voting power often get sidelined. Kashmiri Pandits, a small minority, do not form a substantial voting bloc and are usually treated as expendable. This political neglect has rendered their cause a low priority for governments.
Decades have passed, but the promises made to us remain unfulfilled. Governments have changed, but their assurances remain empty words with no real action. The relief packages provided to us have remained stagnant since 2018, mocking our dignity as inflation continues to rise.
Our demand for justice for the massacres at Wandhama, Nadimarg, and Sangrampora has gone unheard. The courts have failed us, and the perpetrators of these heinous crimes roam free.
Our small numbers have left us politically insignificant. In a democracy where votes dictate priorities, we are often forgotten. Successive governments have ignored our plight, reducing us to a footnote in history. Yet, our struggle continues, and so does our hope.
The story of Kashmiri Pandits is not just about what we lost; it is about what we continue to endure. Our exile is not merely a tragedy of the past but an ongoing shame for the nation. As we mark thirty-five years of this journey of pain, we ask: How much longer must we wait? How many more years must pass before we can return to the land we once called home?
This isn’t merely a tragedy of the past; it’s an ongoing national shame that demands immediate action. The time has come for a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that goes beyond token gestures. We need:
- Immediate extension and revision of relief packages, accounting for 35 years of inflation
- Establishment of special courts to fast-track cases related to the exodus and subsequent massacres
- Creation of secure housing enclaves in the Valley with guaranteed protection
- Employment reservation and business rehabilitation support
- Recognition of the exodus as a targeted genocide through parliamentary action
The eternal winter of 1990 will end only when justice is delivered, and we can walk back to our homeland with dignity and security. Until then, our struggle continues, and so does our faith in the promise of a brighter tomorrow. We carry the hope that one day, the land of saffron and temples will welcome us back, and the Valley will bloom not just with flowers but with justice and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Kashmiri Pandit Displacement of 1990
What happened on 19 January 1990 in Kashmir?
On 19 January 1990, a wave of fear and threats led to the mass exodus of around 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley. This followed a period of increasing violence, targeted killings, and intimidation.
Why did the Kashmiri Pandits leave the Kashmir Valley?
Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee due to escalating political unrest and violence, including targeted killings, destruction of homes and temples, and threatening announcements made through loudspeakers on the night of 19 January 1990. The slogan “Raliv, Galiv, ya Chaliv” (Convert, Die, or Leave) instilled widespread fear.
How many Kashmiri Pandits were displaced in 1990?
Around 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave their homes in the Kashmir Valley in 1990.
What were some of the early signs of trouble for the Kashmiri Pandit community?
Early signs included the assassinations of prominent figures like Tika Lal Taploo in September 1989 and Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo in November 1989, as well as the horrific killings of women like Girija Tickoo and Sarla Bhat.
What were the conditions like for Kashmiri Pandits after their displacement?
Many Kashmiri Pandits were forced to live in refugee camps with inadequate facilities, such as Purkhoo, Jhiri, Muthi, and Nagrota in Jammu. They faced harsh conditions, including extreme heat, and suffered from various health issues and emotional trauma.
What are some of the long-term impacts of the displacement?
The displacement led to the loss of homes, cultural heritage, and a sense of identity for the Kashmiri Pandit community. Many continue to live in exile, facing challenges in rebuilding their lives and a sense of neglect from successive governments.
What are the demands of the Kashmiri Pandit community regarding their displacement?
The community demands the extension and revision of relief packages, the establishment of special courts to address cases related to the exodus and massacres, the creation of secure housing enclaves in the Valley, employment reservation and business rehabilitation support, and the official recognition of the exodus as a targeted genocide.
How long has it been since the Kashmiri Pandit exodus?
As of January 2025, it has been 35 years since the Kashmiri Pandit exodus.
For reading in detail about what happened on 19 January 1990, read the following Books.