On June 25, 1990, an alarming event occurred in Kashmir. Girija Tickoo was a young Kashmiri Pandit woman and a school Librarian with hopes and dreams. Tragically, she became a victim of terrible violence. She was not only murdered but was also brutally attacked, and her body was cut apart with a mechanical saw.
This callous act shook people and remains a stark reminder of the inhumane actions that can be taken.
No reason can ever justify such violence against anyone. Girija Tikoo’s story needs to be told so that we remember the darkness of such acts and work to prevent similar tragedies from ever happening to another innocent person.
Let’s understand what happened.
The Painful Tale of Girija Tickoo
What happened on 19 January 1990, when the Majority of Kashmiri Pandits had already left Kashmir due to the unabated killing of Kashmiri Pandits. Girija Tickoo, who was nicknamed Babli by her family members, had also left Kashmir and was living in Jammu like many others, where she hoped to build a safer life with her family.
But fate had cruel plans.
Girija Tikoo had recently moved to Jammu. Just a few months later, she heard news from her hometown that seemed safe. Someone she knew told her things in Kashmir were much better. They convinced her to return for a short visit to collect her unpaid salary from her job.
Trusting this information, Girija went back on June 25, 1990. She didn’t know this was a trick that would lead to terrible violence. Her coworkers, who were working with dangerous people, had planned to trap her. They kidnapped her, attacked her, Raped her and then horrifically murdered her by cutting her body in a mechanical saw.
Not knowing about the dangerous situation and the terrible death that awaited her, Girija Tikoo came back to a place filled with fear. Reports suggest she was abducted shortly after her arrival, enduring horrific experiences before her life was violently taken.
When we think about Girija’s story, it’s like watching a beautiful bird fly into a storm without knowing the danger ahead.
This makes us think about how life can change in ways we never expected, like how a sunny day can suddenly turn dark with clouds.
Her story reveals the danger of misplaced trust, where we consider dangerous wolves as friendly creatures.
This painful story teaches us how trust, when given too freely, can be like handing over the keys to your home to someone who plans to destroy it. The ones who acted like protectors turned out to be predators, just like a snake.
Girija Tikoo’s Pain That Never Fades: A Family’s Grief
Imagine the pain Girija Tikoo’s family endures. Her niece, Sidhi Raina, recalls the agony of losing a beloved family member. Sidhi speaks of how her “bua” (aunt) was, returning to collect her paycheck, never imagining the nightmare that awaited her.
Girija’s brother had the heartbreaking task of identifying her body. The image of his sister, who was a victim of such horrific violence, is one he carries with him forever.
Not an Isolated Story: Remembering Other Victims
Girija Tickoo was not alone in her suffering. Many other women faced horrific violence during that period. Sarla Bhat and Prana Ganjoo were also targeted and brutally killed; their lives were stolen in the name of a movement that disregarded basic humanity. Each woman’s story represents a part of Kashmir’s broken heart, a place where fear replaced peace, and violence took the place of respect.
The Kashmir Files: A Voice for the Silenced
The film The Kashmir Files brought the story of Girija Tickoo to a broader audience, making people around the world aware of the events that occurred.
The film portrayed her story clearly and poignantly. This shocked people and helped many understand the harsh reality. It reminded us of how society often fails to listen to those who are mistreated and forgets their troubles.
This film, ” The Kashmir Files”, helped people wake up and see the awful things that happened to innocent people like Girija. It told us we must look at these terrible things and not ignore them.
Lastly, I would like to express my most profound reverence for the sacrifices of Girija Tikoo, Sarla Bhat, Prana Ganjoo, and all the many women who suffered greatly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Girija Tickoo
Who was Girija Tickoo?
Girija Tickoo was a young Kashmiri Pandit woman who worked as a school librarian. She had hopes and dreams for her future.
What happened to Girija Tickoo?
Tragically, on June 25, 1990, Girija Tickoo was the victim of terrible violence in Kashmir. She was murdered after being brutally attacked, raped, and having her body cut apart with a mechanical saw.
Why did Girija Tickoo return to Kashmir?
Girija Tickoo had left Kashmir and was living in Jammu after the initial exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. She returned to Kashmir briefly to collect her unpaid salary from her job after being told the situation had improved.
Was Girija Tickoo aware of the danger?
No, Girija Tickoo was not aware of the danger. She trusted the information she received that the situation in Kashmir had become safer, but she was unaware that she was walking into a trap set by her coworkers.
What does Girija Tickoo’s story highlight?
Her story highlights the tragic violence faced by Kashmiri Pandits during that period, the danger of misplaced trust, and the importance of remembering such events to prevent them from happening again.
Was Girija Tickoo the only victim?
No, Girija Tickoo was not alone. Many other women, like Sarla Bhat and Prana Ganjoo, and dozens of other women also faced horrific violence and were brutally killed during the same period.
How was Girija Tickoo’s story brought to a broader audience?
The film “The Kashmir Files” tells the story of Girija Tickoo, raising awareness around the world about her tragic experience and the events that occurred.
What is the significance of remembering Girija Tickoo’s story?
Remembering Girija Tickoo’s story is essential to acknowledge the darkness and inhumanity of such acts, to honour her memory and the memories of other victims, and to inspire efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.