The Brutal Killing of Sarvanand Kaul Premi
On the fateful night of April 30th, 1990, armed men with extreme views barged into Sarvanand Kaul Premi’s home in Kashmir. They forcefully gathered the family into one room and looted all their valuables like gold, jewellery, cash, and fine clothes. The men even yanked off any gold jewellery the family members were wearing. After taking everything, they lied that they would take Sarvanand to meet their boss and promised to return him safely. Fearing danger, Sarvanand’s son Virender Koul insisted on accompanying them. Shockingly, the men agreed, and both father and son left together, unaware of their terrible fate ahead. Their brutalized bodies were later discovered hanging from a tree, limbs broken, and eyes gouged out – a horrific display of the perpetrators’ inhuman brutality.
Planned Persecution of Kashmiri Pandits
The assassinations of prominent Kashmiri Pandit figures, such as Sarvanand Kaul Premi, were not isolated incidents of violence. Rather, they constituted a deliberate strategy implemented by extremist elements with the express purpose of expelling the entire Kashmiri Pandit community from Kashmir. The brutal killings of well-known individuals like Tika Lal Taploo and Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo in 1989 served as stark admonitions to other prominent Kashmiri Pandits, leaving them acutely aware of the imminent danger they faced. Notably, these targeted killings were specifically aimed at Kashmiri Pandit leaders due to their representative status within the minority community.
For a more comprehensive account of these killings and the underlying motives, please refer to my book, “Kashmiri Pandits: A Tale of Solitude and Survival.”
Sarvanand Kaul Premi: A Life Dedicated to Harmony
Born in 1924 in Anantnag, Sarvanand Kaul Premi was deeply influenced by the Gandhian principles of non-violence, communal harmony and secularism. A prolific writer, he authored 24 books, including translations of literary classics like the Bhagavad Gita and Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali into the Kashmiri language. Through his writings, Premi celebrated the richness of diverse cultures and sought to foster understanding, empathy and mutual respect among different communities.
Premi’s warm personality, sociability and lifelong commitment to uplifting marginalized groups endeared him to people across religious lines. In 1986, during a period of heightened tensions in Kashmir, he played a pivotal role in rebuilding confidence among the minority Hindu community. Sarvanand Kaul Premi embodied an unwavering dedication to communal harmony and social justice till his last breath.
Unanswered Questions and Lingering Grief
The brutal killings of Sarvanand Kaul Premi and his son Virender Kaul left behind a trail of unanswered questions and unrelenting grief for their family members. Rajinder Kaul, the eldest son, continues to grapple with the haunting memories of that tragic night, plagued by the absence of justice and closure even years later. The family’s forced departure from their homeland in Kashmir further compounded their sorrow, as they mourned not only the loss of their loved ones but also the erasure of their deep-rooted Kashmiri identity.
Preserving a Literary Legacy Against All Odds
Faced with immense personal adversity, Rajinder Kaul has embarked on a mission to preserve and promote his father Sarvanand Kaul Premi’s invaluable literary contributions. Surrounded by his father’s manuscripts and personal belongings in Delhi, Rajinder tirelessly works to republish Premi’s works. This includes translations of Russian folktales and the poetry collection ‘Bhakti-Pushp’ into other languages. However, he faces significant challenges like a diminishing readership for Kashmiri literature and a lack of recognition as well as support from governmental bodies and institutions.
Undeterred, Rajinder Kaul appeals for national and international recognition of his father’s works. He hopes that illuminating the legacy of Kashmiri writers like Sarvanand Kaul Premi will keep alive the spirit of peace, harmony and composite culture that his father stood for throughout his life and work.
Remembering Sarvanand Kaul Premi’s Immortal Spirit
As the Kashmiri Pandit community observes May 1st as ‘Shaheedi Diwas’ (Martyrs’ Day) every year, the story of Sarvanand Kaul Premi serves as a poignant reminder of the supreme sacrifices made by those who dared to champion the cause of peace, non-violence and secularism in the face of hatred and extremism. Though silenced brutally, Premi’s voice echoes through the ages as a tragic testament to the enduring and universal need for communal harmony, compassion and the fundamental human values he upheld till his last breath. In a symbolic gesture, the Delhi Metro has installed a plaque at the Bharakhamba station to perpetuate the cherished memory of this beloved martyr and literary luminary from Kashmir.
FAQs about Sarvanand Kaul Premi
Who was Sarvanand Kaul Premi?
Sarvanand Kaul Premi was a celebrated Kashmiri Pandit writer, scholar, and advocate for peace. (Who was Sarvanand Kaul Premi?)
How did he die?
Sarvanad Kaul Premi was brutally killed along with his son Virender Kaul by extremists in Kashmir in 1990. He was killed after Majority of Kashmiri Pandits had left on 19 January, 1990
Why was he targeted?
Premi’s assassination was part of a larger plan to drive Kashmiri Pandits out of Kashmir. He was a prominent figure and symbol of the community. (Planned Persecution of Kashmiri Pandits)
What were his contributions?
Premi was a prolific writer who authored 24 books, including translations of classics like the Bhagavad Gita and Gitanjali into Kashmiri. He promoted cultural understanding and religious tolerance through his work. (Sarvanand Kaul Premi: A Life Dedicated to Harmony)
What is his legacy?
Premi is remembered as a martyr for peace and a symbol of Kashmiri Pandit culture. His son Rajinder Kaul continues to work on preserving his literary legacy.
