From Pain to Progress The Kashmiri Pandit Tragedy and the Making of a New Jammu and Kashmir

 

Jammu and Kashmir today stands at a defining moment in its history. For decades, the region endured prolonged militancy, innocent killings, mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, and a climate of fear that disrupted normal life. The early 1990s were especially traumatic. Markets closed before sunset, streets emptied early, and social and economic activity remained severely restricted. Education suffered repeated interruptions, tourism collapsed, and economic progress stalled, leaving deep social and psychological scars across communities. The forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the early 1990s stands as one of the gravest human tragedies in post- Independence India. It was not a spontaneous migration but a carefully orchestrated campaign of terror unleashed by Pakistan-sponsored Islamist militants. Targeted assassinations, threats from mosque loudspeakers, intimidation of women, and an atmosphere of absolute fear compelled lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits to flee their ancestral homeland overnight. Homes were abandoned, temples fell silent, neighbourhoods emptied, and a civilisation rooted in the Valley for thousands of years was uprooted within months. What followed was not relief, but prolonged suffering-an exile marked by indignity, neglect, and political indifference. Displaced Kashmiri Pandits were pushed into overcrowded relief camps in Jammu and forced into rented accommodations in Delhi, the National Capital Region, and other cities across India. The camps, particularly in Jammu, were marked by extreme heat, poor sanitation, disease, lack of privacy, and scarcity of basic facilities. Many elderly migrants did not survive these harsh. Conditions, passing away with the unfulfilled wish of returning home. Despite being among India's most educated and professionally skilled communities, Kashmiri Pandits faced widespread unemployment and underemployment. A generation of youth grew up without seeing their homeland except through stories, photographs, and fading memories. Even more painful than material suffering was political abandonment. Successive governments and regional parties-including the National Conference, the People's Democratic Party and the Congress-remained mute spectators while terrorism thrived and victims were erased from public discourse. Justice was neither delivered nor sincerely pursued. For nearly three decades, Jammu and Kashmir remained trapped in a vicious cycle of violence, separatism, and economic stagnation. Terror networks flourished with funding routed through fake currency pumped in by Pakistan. Stone-pelting, enforced shutdowns and radical propaganda became routine, while separatist leaders enjoyed unchecked patronage. The tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits was often denied, diluted, or deliberately ignored. Victims were expected to move on quietly, while perpetrators were shielded in the name of political expediency. This bleak situation began to change decisively after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government at the Centre, under the resolute and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, took firm and historic decisions to restore law, order, dignity, and development in the region. The most consequential step was the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A on 5 August 2019, which ended decades of constitutional ambiguity and fully integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union, ensuring equality before law, transparency in governance, and uniform access to national welfare schemes. Official data from the Ministry of Home Affairs presented in Parliament reflects a dramatic improvement in the security situation after the abrogation. Militant incidents declined from 417 in 2018 to 255 in 2019, further reducing to 244 in 2020 and around 200 by late 2021, with subsequent reports indicating nearly a 70 per cent decline in terror incidents by 2024 and further improvement in 2025. Stone-pelting incidents, once a daily menace, dropped from over 5,000 cases before abrogation to negligible numbers, with zero reported incidents in several periods after 2023. Security force casualties fell sharply from 77 in 2019 to single digits by 2024, while civilian deaths also declined substantially. Infiltration attempts from across the border reduced from 143 in 2018 to just a handful by 2024, and local militant recruitment collapsed from over 130 youths in 2019 to single digits in recent years. These outcomes reflect the unwavering resolve of the Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and intelligence agencies, whose sacrifices and professionalism restored peace and public confidence. The improved security environment has been matched by a revival of democratic participation. Voter turnout has emerged as a strong indicator of renewed faith in democracy. The Election Commission of India recorded an overall turnout of 63.88 per cent in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections-the first since the abrogation-while the 2024 Lok Sabha elections witnessed a record 58.46 per cent turnout, the highest in over three decades. Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted that voter participation in Srinagar rose from nearly 14 per cent in earlier years to close to 40 per cent, symbolising the defeat of boycott politics. Notably, more than 40 per cent of displaced Kashmiri Pandits exercised their franchise, compared to barely 3 per cent earlier. Additionally, after the abrogation, migrants from West Pakistan-who had been denied basic constitutional rights for decades-were granted voting rights for the first time, enabling them to participate in Assembly elections and become equal stakeholders in the democratic process. Parallel to political normalisation, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented revival of tourism. In 2024, the region recorded a historic footfall of approximately 2.35 crore tourists, including over 65,000 foreign visitors the highest ever. In 2025, despite isolated security challenges, tourist arrivals remained strong at around 1.58 crore, driven by pilgrimage tourism to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Amarnath Yatra, alongside sustained interest in leisure, adventure, and eco-tourism across the Valley. This revival has generated large-scale employment in hospitality, transport, handicrafts and allied sectors, transforming tourism into a major engine of economic growth. This resurgence has been powered by massive infrastructure development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and effective administration by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The complétion of the UdhampurSrinagar-Baramulla railway line, including the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge-the world's highest railway arch bridge-has connected Kashmir with the national rail network. The introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar has revolutionised travel comfort and year-round accessibility. Major road projects, including the Delhi-Katra Greenfield Expressway, Zojila Tunnel, Z-Morh Tunnel, national highways and flyovers, have ensured all-weather connectivity, reduced travel time, and ended the region's historical isolation. Urban renewal through Smart City projects in Jammu and Srinagar, alongside riverfront development and modern public transport, is reshaping urban life. Education has seen transformational growth with the establishment of IIT, IIM, IIIM, central and state universities, and skill institutions. Healthcare infrastructure has expanded through AlIMS Awantipora and Vijaypur, new medical colleges, upgraded district hospitals, and improved specialty care facilities. Jammu and Kashmir stands unique in India for implementing universal health coverage under PM-JAY SEHAT. Over 85 lakh Ayushman cards have been issued, covering more than 1.01 crore beneficiaries, irrespective of income, with over 250 empanelled hospitals providing 15 lakh annual health coverage per family- substantially easing healthcare access and financial stress. Economic revival is evident through industrial policies, start-up initiatives, and growing investor confidence. Traditional sectors such as handicrafts, handloom, carpets, saffron, apples and dry fruits have received global recognition through GI-tags, strengthening artisans' livelihoods. Sports infrastructure has expanded with stadiums and facilities in every district, while winter sports, water sports, marathons and national-level tournaments are engaging youth and redefining the region's image. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have repeatedly reaffirmed the government's commitment to the safe, dignified, and sustainable rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Housing projects, employment packages, security assurances and policy frameworks reflect this commitment. While challenges remain, the intent of the government is clear-that the return of Kashmiri Pandits mus be voluntary, secure, and rooted in justice, not symbolism. Six years after the abrogation of Article 370 supported by the BJP Government at the Centre the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Home Minister Amit Shah, the administrative stewardship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and the vigilance of the Armed Forces. Jammu and Kashmir is no longer defined by fear and stagnation. It is emerging as a peaceful prosperous, and fully integrated part of New India. For Kashmiri Hindu migrants, the pain of exile remains, but hope has returned. For the first time in decades, the road back to their homeland appears visible-protected by law, development, and national resolve.

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Courtesy:  M. K. Bhat Nirdha  and Koshur Samachar- January-2026