Historical Background Of Kashmir
“Kashmir is the paradise on the earth” is often used for Kashmir and its natural beauty. It is said that Kashmir was named after a Hindu Rishi Kashyap. According to the Hindu scriptures and religious texts, Kashmir was the knowledge capital of ancient India. Kashmir was also a centre of attraction for Buddhist scholars. Many Hindu Rishis and Buddhist Monks have blessed this land of Kashmir with their penance and knowledge in the past. The earliest presence of Islam is found in the early 14th century, with the arrival of Muslim Sufis preachers from Central Asia and Persia.
Genocide/Exodus Of Hindus
People in India have different opinions about this incident. Some people call it an ‘exodus‘, some call it a ‘genocide’ and others say Kashmiri Hindus ‘left’ Kashmir at their own will. But on the other hand, unfortunately, there are some people in India who are still ignorant of the incident as if it never happened.
Kashmiri Hindus are still waiting for justice to be delivered. It is noteworthy that the number of people killed or migrated to other parts of the country is still disputed. According to the testimonies of many Kashmiri Hindus and historical books, this was the time when anti-India militancy increased in Kashmir. Militants in Kashmir were brainwashed by the forces from the other side of the LOC in the name of independence from India.
Separatist forces wanted to make J&K an independent state. At that time, J&K had a separate constitution from India because of Article 370. The separatists were not happy with this and wanted complete freedom from India. They looked at the Hindu population of the State as a danger to their plan. The ignorant attitude of the State and the Central government helped them and they did what was shameful for humanity — a ‘genocide’ that caused ‘mass exodus’ of the Hindu population from Kashmir.
Facts And Figures
India got its freedom from British rule in 1947. In 1951, the first Census of independent India was conducted and J&K wasn’t a part of this. According to the 1961 Census, there were 24.32 lakh Muslims — 68.31% of the total population — and 10.13 lakh Hindus, 28.45% of the population.
Now, jumping into the year 1990, this shameful episode of Kashmiri Pandit genocide took place under the leadership of Ashfaq Majeed Wani. Farooq Abdullah was the leader of the State at that time but he resigned in January 1990. A notorious militant leader Farooq Ahmed Dar admitted to the truth of this genocide on national media that he himself killed many Kashmiri Hindus, but still, instead of getting capital punishment, he was taken into mainstream politics.
He had meetings with high-level administration of India, even the Prime Minister of India. In J&K, there were originally 14 districts, six in Kashmir with a Muslim majority, six in Jammu with a Muslim majority in three districts and Hindus in the remaining, and two in Ladakh. After the genocide in 1990, J&K was excluded from the Census of 1991 and insurgency was given as the reason by the administration. This built a doubt.
In the 2001 Census, the downfall of the Hindu population in J&K was evident and it is noteworthy that most refugees of the Kashmir exodus took shelter in Jammu. The Ministry of Home Affairs in 2011 acknowledged the death of 219 Hindus but victims of that tragedy don’s accept this data. According to them, hundreds of Hindus were killed and thousands were compelled to leave Kashmir.
The Controversy Of ‘The Kashmir Files’
Since this incident itself is controversial, so the film on this incident easily got itself into a high level of controversy. Vivek Agnihotri is the director of this movie and despite so many controversies surrounding the film, it has become a landmark in terms of the revenue and sentiments of Indian folks. This is the only movie in modern India to be discussed in the Parliament of India and to be honoured in the Capital Hills in America. It seems that this movie has already created an impact on the people and the politics of India. Agnihotri wants to use this film as soft power as well, creating future possibilities for the film.
The Current Situation
The time has changed now and so has the leadership. The government of India has revoked Article 370 and declared J&K and Ladakh as union territories for the time being. Reports of the militancy and insurgency are at a lower number but the paradise on earth is still under attack. The separatist and militant forces still exist and the victims of 1990 are still waiting for justice.
Conclusion
The country that has the principles of “non-violence” and “Vasudhev Kutumbakam” should always spread love. Ours is not a land brotherhood. Every episode of violence, whether it is Godhara, Muzaffarnagar or Delhi, are equally condemnable, as was the 1990 genocide of Kashmiri Pandits.
Note: The words and views are mine and if they hurt anyone in any manner, I apologise.