“Safe Zones”, Hindu-Muslim Harmony and Life as a Kashmiri Pandit

From “safe zones” to communal harmony, this three-part series explores the realities of being a Kashmiri Pandit.

Daanish Bin Nabi, a Srinagar-based journalist, explores the ground realities of being a Kashmiri Pandit in Kashmir. He interviews Kashmiri Pandits to reveal their refusal to accept “safe zones” for the community, which they believe will not only lead to further ghettoisation, but also encourage communal activities.

Further interaction reveals an enduring friendship between a Kashmiri Pandit and a Muslim. Nabi’s piece therefore further emphasises the harmony Hindu and Muslim communities enjoy in Kashmir. Here’s a breakdown of the article, published in three parts.

Part 1: No One Harmed Us Despite Militancy: Kashmiri Pandits in Pulwama

Violence in any part of a conflict zone ultimately affects the common people. When armed conflict began in late 80s and early 90s in Kashmir against the Indian state, the Kashmiri Pandits were the first to bear the brunt.

One hears many stories about the departure of Pandits from Kashmir. There were a few indications of intimidation of Pandits. Some were killed by unknown gunmen, but this in no way meant that Kashmiri Muslims are or were communal or wanted Pandits to leave Kashmir.

South Kashmir today is the worst-hit due to militancy, but there are at least 10 to 15 Pandit families who are still residing in Tral (hometown of famed Hizb-ul-Mujahiddeen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani) happily with their Muslim neighbours. Find the complete story on The Quint.

Part 2: Ghettoisation of Kashmiri Pandits Under the Garb of “Safe Zones”

There is hardcore politics involved in rehabilitating the Pandits back into Kashmir. Both by the mainstream political parties and by those players who do not want the Kashmir issue resolved because of their vested interests, have played their own petty politics in rehabilitating Pandits.

The majority of Pandit groups and families who have not fallen prey to petty politics of groups like “Panun Kashmir”, have acknowledged the fact that the mainstream political parties only remember Pandit’s flight at the time of elections to lure the community to vote. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the latest entrant in this zone.

On the other hand, the Hurriyat conglomerate has time and again requested the Pandit brethren to come back to Kashmir as every Muslim will welcome them with warm hands and open hearts. The only agitating point is the demand of New Delhi to get them settled in “safe zones”. Find the complete story on The Quint.

Part 3: ‘We Are Not Just Kashmiri Pandits or Muslims, We Are a Family’

Kashmiri Muslims have always expressed their love and respect for Pandits and have always valued them as part of the Kashmiri society. However, the killings of a few hundred Pandits has stained Kashmiri Muslims as ‘communal’ and ‘terrorists’ for perpetuity.

Keeping all narratives aside, as recently as March 2016, the residents of Khanqah-e-Sokhta Nawakadal in Shaher-e-Khaas performed the last rites of a Kashmiri Pandit woman who belonged to the lone family of the minority community. Doora Pajnu (65) wife of Omkar Pajnu, breathed her last that month. Find the complete story on The Quint.

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