As KPs mark exodus day, return hit by security woes

The Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community today commemorated their ‘exodus day,’ marking 35 years since the mass migration from the Valley in 1990, when Pakistan-backed radicals threatened the minority community, forcing them to flee. The majority of the displaced members settled in Jammu and other parts of the country. Despite efforts by successive governments to rehabilitate the community and facilitate their return to the Valley, security concerns and a lack of opportunities still remain significant obstacles.

A survey conducted by Shri Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU) and Whetstone International Networking (WIN) reveals a divided sentiment among Kashmiri Pandits about returning to their homeland, with many expressing hesitation due to the ongoing challenges they face.

The survey, which questioned KP community members, found that 62 per cent of respondents are hopeful about the possibility of returning and settling back in Kashmir. Notably, more than 80 per cent of those hopeful individuals are over the age of 36, underlining the generational divide on the issue.

However, despite this optimism, the study also points out that security continues to be a primary concern for most Kashmiri Pandits. Even among those who express a desire to return, scepticism about the safety situation in the region, characterised by ongoing violence, insurgency, and political instability, remains a significant obstacle.

The survey indicates that roughly half (53 per cent) of respondents are somewhat hopeful about returning, while 37.9 per cent remain pessimistic. “While security improvements could incentivise a portion of the community to return, the general sentiment indicates that without substantial changes in security and living conditions, a full-scale return is improbable. Over time, as younger generations assimilate into new regions, this aspiration may diminish, with fewer planning to return,” the survey notes.

The community, which has lived in exile for the past 35 years, remains deeply affected by the trauma of forced migration. As Amit Raina, a prominent activist from the community, puts it, “The extinction of the Indus Valley civilisation represents a significant historical event, while the plight of Kashmiri Pandits is a contemporary reality. Their forced exodus has led to the loss of identity, economic instability and emotional distress. The negative population growth within this community may very well lead to their potential extinction.”

The study also highlights the cultural and socio-economic impact on KPs living in various parts of the world. Notably, the most common age for marriage among respondents is between 26-30 years, but a trend toward later marriages is evident post-exile.

The percentage of individuals marrying between the ages of 31-35 years has risen to 6.1 per cent, and 7.1 per cent marry after 35. Overall, 13 per cent of respondents now marry above the age of 30, reflecting a shift towards later marriages after the migration among the KPs.

On the language front, the study reveals that 82.4 per cent of KPs continue to use the Kashmiri language when communicating with their parents, 67.4 per cent with extended family, and 79.8 per cent with their spouses. However, the language usage declines with younger generations, with 19.4 per cent of respondents not speaking Kashmiri to their children.

Further addressing the issue of resettlement, Rubon Sapru, president of the All Migrant Employees Association Kashmir, emphasised that providing jobs to a few members of the community is insufficient for full resettlement. “There is a need for a comprehensive roadmap where the government engages with community representatives to understand how resettlement in the Valley can be achieved,” Sapru said.

He added that confidence-building measures must be implemented to ensure a sense of security among the Kashmiri Pandits, especially in light of recent incidents of targeted killings of minorities in Kashmir.

As the Kashmiri Pandits’ community continues to struggle with the effects of mass displacement, the question of their return remains complex, with security concerns, cultural shifts, and political instability at the forefront of discussions about rehabilitation.