January 19 (or 21st by certain accounts) is infamous in India for being remembered as the anniversary of the exodus of the Pandits from their home, the Kashmir valley and also as the anniversary of the only ethnic cleanse in the modern history of the sub- continent. The Pandits who might have numbered anywhere between 15% and 20% at one point of time have slowly been whittled down to about 3,000 odd. Though these numbers are contentious, they tell a striking story of a people whose government has forsaken them.
Many are of the opinion that the reason for the Exodus (which really came to head in the 1990 riots) was Jagmohan (former Governer of J&K) who not many remember very fondly. Though the number of Pandits who have actually been killed by militants is a contentious question (figures range from 200 to 600 plus), the Exodus implies a threat that was felt by the community that was both implicit and explicit.
Rehabilitation has been attempted, as said by Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, but has so far been fairly unsuccessful. If history has taught us anything, when a community is displaced so absolutely, it is going to take more than a good dental plan to lure them back.
References and Future Reading:
On the steps taken by the government.
Sanjay Tickoo, head of the KPSS and a Kashmiri Pandit.
Author Mridu Rai speaks about the Exodus.
Indian Express Opinion Piece on the Conflict.
Hindu Op- Ed on the Issue.
NDTV on Omar Abdullah and Rehabilitation Efforts.
Many are of the opinion that the reason for the Exodus (which really came to head in the 1990 riots) was Jagmohan (former Governer of J&K) who not many remember very fondly. Though the number of Pandits who have actually been killed by militants is a contentious question (figures range from 200 to 600 plus), the Exodus implies a threat that was felt by the community that was both implicit and explicit.
Rehabilitation has been attempted, as said by Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, but has so far been fairly unsuccessful. If history has taught us anything, when a community is displaced so absolutely, it is going to take more than a good dental plan to lure them back.
References and Future Reading:
On the steps taken by the government.
Sanjay Tickoo, head of the KPSS and a Kashmiri Pandit.
Author Mridu Rai speaks about the Exodus.
Indian Express Opinion Piece on the Conflict.
Hindu Op- Ed on the Issue.
NDTV on Omar Abdullah and Rehabilitation Efforts.
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