Calling of the Homeland
Mesmersing view of Dal lake clicked by Arav Wattal
“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.” But what if the person is left with nowhere to go and is forced to start a new life from scratch. One such reality is of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs). With the words “Raliv, Galiv ya Chaliv” (Convert to Islam, Leave or Die) and “Al-Safa Batte Dafa” (with God’s grace, the whole Kashmiri Pandit population would leave the valley) chanting over loud speakers from the mosques, the community was left with these options.The community was coerced into an exile in 1990. None would have thought a situation of becoming a refugee in their own country would arise. They had to take shelters in Jammu, Delhi and other places.
The question that arises is after almost 36 years of exodus, will Pandits rehabilitate in the valley? Many KPs died in the longing that they will be able to visit the paradise on earth as there is no place such as a home. Structures of bricks and woods are not home and it would be always incomplete without the folks who actually lived there for years. Peace provided by a roof over one’s head cannot be compared with any other. This return is not just a choice but will act as a bridge to reconcile the lost harmony in the region.
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It is commendable that the KP community has been able to retain its culture outside their homeland, through the language, folk tales and especially food. The Kashmiri youth yearns to experience it in the native land. They want to feel how their parents used to go to Kokernag for school picnics, rather than drinking the filter water having the water from Chashmas (water spring) and many more. Kashmiri youth has found a unique identity that has mingled its kashmiri roots with the new environment they have been brought up in. The attachment to Kashmir is more abstract or symbolic which is away from reality. Although, these memories are intertwined with the trauma from the forced displacement and disrupted the generational peace.
The return will spread the message of their unbreakable ties with Kashmir. It can act as a bridge to bring back the diverse and peaceful Kashmir, it used to be before the onset of the militancy. This would send the message of how collective identity holds power and symbolize the unbroken bond of KPs with Kashmir which still exists till now after the separation. When they should have been rehabilitated they were discarded as if they did not belong to the country and were ill-treated. Kashmiri Pandits have come a long way in past decades, from nothing to reaching new heights in divergent fields. Government programs like housing for KPs in the valley and employment packages have been created to rehabilitate them. However, there is an extremely little likelihood that Pandits will return in spite of these efforts.
For the younger generation of the community settled in foreign countries such as the United States of America and Europe, or even working in metropolitan cities in India like Delhi, Bangalore and Pune, coming back to the valley might not seem as a viable option as they are living a much better life outside Kashmir. And people who were actually affected by the militancy, a few do not wish to go back because of the trauma they suffered and again settling back to Kashmir might be difficult as they are now not accustomed to the weather. The trauma was not only limited to the psyche but also was the cause for many deaths after 1990. One such story is of how Mr. Koul along with his daughter’s family had to forcefully shift to Jammu. From living in a three storied house to managing in one room on rent with four other family members. He tried his best like many others to survive the scorching heat of Jammu as in Kashmir he was not used to it. Though could not survive more than one year as the yearning of going back home impacted him harder than anyone could have ever imagined. Many more stories like this exist, which had more severe endings.
The prospect of an eventual return is more symbolic than feasible.Question that remains is, after all these years even if they come back, are they still safe? Irregular incidents of violence in the valley especially after the release of the movie- “The Kashmir Files”, a movie highlighting the community’s exodus and harsh reality serves as an indication that though militancy has diminished, it has not been entirely eradicated.
Although the yearning for homeland is an intense feeling, the Kashmiri Pandits find that their longing has been tempered over the years by challenging circumstances. While endeavors should be undertaken to bring the folks back, it is essential to comprehend that psychological and cultural restoration are just as crucial to physical rehabilitation in order to find a solution. A more comprehensive strategy must be developed, one that recognizes the development of the community’s identity outside of the valley as well as the imperative of preserving the Pandit legacy in Kashmir. The history and sufferings of the KPs must not be overlooked, since they are fundamental to the narrative of Kashmir, regardless of whether or not they decide to return.
It is not just about relocation but a multifarious question exists of the security of people, identity and social acceptance. If the community decides to come back it will bridge the gap between the past and present. It will act as a significant stepping stone and a reminder of how not only the community’s identity lies with Kashmir but also, how Kashmir is nothing without its community. At last, it does not matter whether the whole community relocates back to Kashmir, more crucial part is the hope that their cultural legacy, historical contributions sustain and the pain KPs experienced holds a place in the Kashmir narrative. Nonetheless, of being present in the physical location the legacy of Kashmir being the heart and soul of the community should continue till forever.
