The Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits 1990

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits
   • The Silent Tragedy
   • The Need to Remember
2. A Historical Perspective: Roots of the Exodus
   • The Rise of Separatism and Islamism (1984–1986)
     • Dismissal of Farooq Abdullah’s Government
     • Ghulam Mohammad Shah’s Tenure and Religious Polarization
   • The Anantnag Riots of 1986
3. The Rajiv Gandhi–Farooq Abdullah Accord (1986)
   • Intended Stabilization Efforts
   • Consequences of the Accord
     • Polarization of the Electorate
     • Loss of Credibility and Rise of Extremism
4. Election Rigging and Its Fallout
   • Manipulation of Votes in 1987
   • Emergence of Militancy
   • Pakistan’s Role in Escalating Violence
5. The Onset of Targeted Violence (1989–1990)
   • Rise of Terrorism and Radicalization
   • Intimidation Through Fear
   • Targeted Killings
     • Prominent Victims
   • Violence Against Women
   • Social and Economic Boycott
6. Neglect of Kashmiri Pandits by Successive Governments
   • Lack of Justice and Accountability
     • Failure to Prosecute Crimes
   • Political Apathy and Rhetoric
   • Failure to Ensure Safety and Security
     • Continued Hostility in the Valley
     • Tokenism in Government Policies
7. The Path Forward
   • Justice and Reconciliation Efforts
   • Ensuring Safe Return
   • Building Communal Harmony
8. Conclusion: Honoring Their Struggle

Introduction

The Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits remains one of the most heart-wrenching chapters in India’s modern history. This minority Hindu community, native to the beautiful Kashmir Valley, faced unprecedented atrocities that led to their forced migration in 1990. Their story is one of anguish, courage, and survival, which deserves to be etched into public consciousness.

With increasing interest in this topic, it’s vital to shed light on the historical events that uprooted over 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits from their ancestral homeland. This article explores the reasons behind the departure, the horrors endured, and their struggle for justice.

A Historical Perspective: Roots of the Kashmiri Pandit Exodus 1990

The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits was not a sudden event but a culmination of years of political upheaval, separatist movements, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the Kashmir Valley. To understand this tragedy, it is essential to trace the developments that set the stage for the tragic events of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Rise of Separatism and Islamism (1984–1986)

 Dismissal of Farooq Abdullah’s Government (1984)

The political instability in Kashmir began in earnest with the ousting of Farooq Abdullah, who had succeeded his father, Sheikh Abdullah, as Chief Minister after the latter died in 1982. Farooq Abdullah’s leadership came under scrutiny almost immediately:

1. Factionalism Within the National Conference (NC):
   Farooq’s leadership faced challenges from within his party, particularly from his brother-in-law, Ghulam Mohammad Shah, who led a faction that accused Farooq of mismanagement and neglect of party values becoming the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Ghulam Mohammad Shah’s tenure as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 1984 to 1986 proved to be a pivotal period. His regime, marked by political opportunism and the exploitation of religious divisions, saw an alarming rise in communal tensions. Shah replaced Farooq Abdullah, his brother-in-law, through a political coup supported by the Indian National Congress. This political instability further eroded trust between communities in the valley.

Escalation of Attacks

Several events during Shah’s rule heightened the fears of the Kashmiri Pandit community:

The Anantnag Riots of 1986:

In February 1986, violent riots broke out in Anantnag and surrounding areas. These riots were reportedly triggered by rumours of desecration of a mosque in Jammu. The violence primarily targeted the Kashmiri Pandits, with their homes, temples, and businesses being looted and destroyed. The government’s failure to prevent the riots or punish the perpetrators deepened the community’s sense of insecurity.

Religious Polarization:

Shah’s regime allowed the open propagation of Islamist ideologies, further alienating the Kashmiri Pandits. Religious leaders and separatist groups began to call for the establishment of an Islamic state, branding the Pandits as traitors or agents of the Indian state.

The Rajiv Gandhi–Farooq Abdullah Accord (1986): A Deal Gone Wrong

In an attempt to stabilize Kashmir, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi brokered an accord with Farooq Abdullah in 1986, reinstating him as Chief Minister. The deal was intended to counter the rising influence of Islamist groups and separatist ideologies, but it had unintended consequences:

1. Polarization of the Electorate: The alliance between the Congress and National Conference alienated opposition groups, particularly the newly emerging Muslim United Front (MUF), which accused both parties of betraying Kashmir’s autonomy.
2. Loss of Credibility: The National Conference’s repeated alliances with the central government undermined its credibility among Kashmiris, creating fertile ground for extremist groups to gain support.
3. Fueling Separatist Sentiments: Radical factions exploited the growing distrust of the government, framing the alliance as a conspiracy against Muslims, further polarizing the population.

Election Rigging and Disenchantment

The elections were widely viewed as rigged, with the Congress-NC alliance accused of manipulating results to suppress the rising influence of the opposition Muslim United Front (MUF):

• Manipulation of Votes: Reports of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and falsification of results emerged from multiple constituencies.
• Denial of Representation: The MUF, which had gained significant public support, was denied many seats it was expected to win. This disenfranchisement created widespread anger, particularly among the youth.

Consequences of the Rigged Elections

The fallout of the rigged elections was catastrophic:

1. The Birth of Terrorism: Disillusioned with democratic processes, several young leaders of the MUF, such as Yasin Malik and Syed Salahuddin, turned to militancy. Many joined the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) or the Hizbul Mujahideen, marking the formal rise of armed insurgency.
2. Pakistan’s Role: Pakistan, through its intelligence agency ISI, seized the opportunity to infiltrate the valley, providing training, arms, and ideological support to militant groups.
3. Escalation of Violence Against Kashmiri Pandits: The targeting of Pandits intensified as Terrorists sought to eliminate perceived Indian loyalists. The Pandits were issued chilling ultimatums to leave or face death.

The Onset of Targeted Violence (1989-1990)

1. Rise of Terrorism

• By 1989, separatist sentiments had escalated into an armed rebellion, supported by cross-border infiltration and funding.
• Prominent Terrorist groups like the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) began targeting individuals and institutions they deemed aligned with the Indian state, including Kashmiri Pandits.

1. Intimidation Through Fear

• On January 19, 1990, a chilling campaign of terror was unleashed. Radical slogans blared from loudspeakers in mosques across the valley, threatening Kashmiri Pandits and calling for their exodus. These slogans demanded that Pandits leave the valley or face dire consequences.
• Posters and leaflets appeared, warning the Pandits to convert to Islam, leave, or be killed.

1. Targeted Killings

• High-profile murders became a tool of intimidation. Pandit leaders, scholars, and professionals were assassinated in cold blood.

Some notable victims include:

1. • • Tika Lal Taploo, a lawyer and prominent BJP leader, who was gunned down in 1989.
     • Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, a retired judge who had sentenced Maqbool Bhat, a JKLF founder, to death, was assassinated in November 1989.
     • Sarvanand Kaul Premi, a poet and scholar and his son were abducted and killed in April 1990.
2. Attacks on Women

1. • Kashmiri Pandit women were also targeted. Girija Tickoo, Sarla Bhat, Prana Ganjoo were raped and Killed

1. Social and Economic Boycott

1. • Pandit-owned businesses and properties were boycotted, vandalized, or forcibly seized. The lack of protection from the state exacerbated their vulnerability.

Neglect of Kashmiri Pandits by Successive Governments: A 34-Year Saga

The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 was not just a humanitarian crisis but a profound failure of governance. Over the last 34 years, successive Indian governments—both at the state and central levels—have largely failed to address the plight of this displaced community. Despite promises, policies, and public outcry, the Kashmiri Pandits continue to face neglect, living as refugees in their own country.

Lack of Justice and Accountability

1. Prosecution for Crimes Against Pandits

Despite well-documented evidence of murders, rapes, and other atrocities committed against Kashmiri Pandits, justice has been elusive:

• No large-scale investigations were conducted to identify and prosecute those responsible for the killings and intimidation.
• The judicial system has largely ignored the community’s pleas for accountability, leaving a sense of betrayal and abandonment.

    2. Political Apathy

The issue of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus has often been reduced to political rhetoric:

• Political parties have used their plight as a tool for garnering votes but failed to take meaningful action.
• State governments in Jammu and Kashmir consistently prioritized appeasing separatist groups over addressing the grievances of the Pandits.

Failure to Ensure Safety and Security

1. Continued Hostility in the Valley

Kashmiri Pandits have repeatedly stated that they cannot return to the valley until their safety is assured. Yet, no comprehensive security plan has been put in place:

• The small number of Pandits who stayed behind in the valley or returned have faced targeted killings in recent years. For example, the murders of government employees like Rahul Bhat in 2022 highlight the risks.
• The absence of communal harmony initiatives has perpetuated mistrust between the Pandits and the majority population in the valley.

1. Tokenism Over Substance

• Government efforts to station Pandit employees in “transit accommodations” within the valley are seen as token gestures. These employees have often faced threats and harassment, making their return unsustainable.