Dr Raj Kachru
As I reflect on the travails of Kashmir, my mind is drawn to the poignant paradox of a region that once embodied the very essence of tolerance and coexistence. The mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the early 1990s marked a stark departure from the tradition of Kashmiriyat, a unique cultural heritage that had long defined the region’s identity.
Kashmiriyat, that elusive yet potent concept, represented a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim traditions, a harmonious blend of diverse cultural practices and beliefs. It was a testament to the region’s innate propensity for pluralism, a celebration of the shared human experiences that transcended the boundaries of faith. Yet, in the face of extremist violence and intimidation, this cherished tradition was callously abandoned, leaving in its wake a trail of devastation and despair.
The silence of the majority community’s leaders in the face of such atrocities remains a haunting indictment of our collective conscience. The absence of a clarion call to condemn the violence, a fatwa to denounce the perpetrators, was a missed opportunity to stem the bloodshed. Instead, the Pandits were subjected to a campaign of terror, forced to flee their ancestral homes, leaving behind a way of life that was centuries old.
The consequences of this dark chapter in Kashmir’s history are still palpable. The Valley, once a beacon of peace and prosperity, remains a contested territory, its people trapped in a cycle of violence and fear. The return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits are essential for the region’s healing and completeness, a necessary step towards reclaiming the essence of Kashmiriyat.
As I ponder the future of this troubled region, my thoughts turn to the heroic deeds of Maqbool Sherwani, a Kashmiri patriot who single-handedly delayed the invasion of Pashtun tribesmen from Pakistan in 1947. His bravery and sacrifice serve as a powerful reminder of the region’s capacity for courage and resilience.
Yet, even as we draw inspiration from such acts of valor, we must acknowledge the imperative of collective action. The majority community of the Valley must come forward to design and develop a mechanism, in consultation with the affected community and Government agencies, for the safe return of their Pandit brethren.
The return of Kashmiri Pandits to their ancestral homes is not merely a matter of justice but also a necessary step towards healing the wounds of the past and reclaiming the essence of Kashmiriyat. It is a challenge that requires courage, conviction, and a willingness to confront the darker aspects of our collective history. Only then can we hope to restore the Valley to its former glory, to rekindle the warmth and hospitality that once defined the Kashmiri way of life.
In the end, the fate of Kashmiriyat serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of our shared humanity. It is a testament to the enduring power of tradition and culture, a beacon of hope in a world torn apart by conflict and division. As we navigate the complexities of our increasingly fragmented world, let us draw inspiration from the forgotten promise of Kashmiriyat, and strive to reclaim the lost tradition of a region that once embodied the very essence of tolerance and coexistence.
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