Kashmiri Pandits

Kashmiri Pandits constituted an integral and vital segment of the Kashmiri Society in the Valley. Because of the large scale conversions of Kashmiris to Islam during Muslim rule (14th century onwards), the small population of the K.Ps. were the only Hindus left in the Valley. They lived very cordially with the dominant Muslim population across centuries. They have made immense contributions to the history, culture, philosophy and politics of Kashmir. Their EXODUS was triggered by violence and threats of violence unleashed against the non-violent community. The Pakistan inspired plan to fully Islamise Kashmir Valley found resonance among the militants in the Valley and hence the violence to drive out the Hindus; a story with complex facets. This book is research based. Let the victims speak and let the readers draw their own conclusions. There is no finality about human behaviour, their thoughts, beliefs and actions. People can succumb to turbulent urge for violence and destruction under instigation. Kashmir is an example.

T.N.Pandit is a senior Anthropologist and a known name in India and abroad. He retired from Anthropological Survey of India in 1992 while officiating as Director. He was born in 1934 in a Kashmiri Pandit family at Kulgam. After doing his school and college in Kashmir, he spent ten years (1956-66) at Delhi University studying and teaching Anthropology. It was in March 1966 that he joined Anthropological Survey of India at its Andaman office. The Andaman Islands are home to unique and famously the world's most isolated Hunting Gathering communities like the Jarawa and the Sentinelese. They were ever ready to defend their island territories with bow and arrow against intruders. Pandit was fascinated. His stay in the Islands for 20 years to work for peace and protection of their rights over their land and resources has been widely recognized. His writings and interviews have been covered by national and international media e.g. New York Times, B.B.C., National Geographic, NDTV (India) etc. Pandit's hobbies: Poetry, History and public speaking.

Triloki Nath Pandit is a dear and esteemed friend of long standing. I am honoured that he has asked me to write a foreword for his latest book based on the survey that he conducted. In that sense it is an authentic account of the saddest misery thrust upon the Kashmiri Pandits in their own home land where they excelled in almost all fields. They have been engaged in pursuit of learning, music, service to state and imparting spiritual and temporal guidance to the people. Such a peace loving and gentle community becoming a target for brutal violence will ever remain an enigma for thinkers.

We gratefully acknowledge the valued assistance and cooperation of the following ladies and gentlemen in the execution and completion of the Research Project and this Report:

Dr. Satyabhama Razdan, Head of the Department of Linguistics & Sanskrit, Kashmir University was of immense help in arrangements for fieldwork in Kashmir Valley. Ajay Zutshi visited the distant villages and towns there for data collection. His contribution was most valuable. Ramesh Bhat and late M. L. Kaul made the arrangements for fieldwork in Jammu and Nagrota migrant camps. Sarojini Pandit took the entire responsibility for organising fieldwork in Udhampur town and camps. Good and timely work was done with their help.

We in the KECSS had for the last few years felt the urgent need for a properly researched report on the uprooted Kashmiri Pandits following their mass exodus from Kashmir Valley in 1989-90, as no such study was available unpublished.

Our research proposal submitted to the Department of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India in 2001 received prompt and serious consideration and a grant of Rs 4,24,000/- was sanctioned for this Project. We express our gratitude to them for this timely grant, which has made this report possible.