|THE DEN|
Hinduism is a minority faith in Muslim-dominated Kashmir as of now. The Pandits left the region in the 1990s, when they began to be targeted by Pakistan-sponsored militant Islamists. Some migrated to Jammu and few in other parts of India with an uncertain future. Precisely, Kashmiri Pandits originally lived in the Kashmir Valley before Muslim influence entered the region in 14th century, following which large numbers converted to Islam.
Prompted by the growth of Islamic militancy in the valley, Pandits left in large numbers in the exodus of the 1990 with just some clothes in their bags. Sadly, the Pandits did not want to leave but left, the nation did not want the exodus to happen but could not prevent it and even the Muslim fundamentalist tried to stop the Hindus from vacating the valley but could not succeed.
Also, the then Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto missed no opportunity to add fuel to the fire. Her Haranguing tirades and wild promises did enough to bring up mess hysteria.
The issue of KPs return and the attacks by militants are an important side to the Kashmir story that has fed into the Hindu-Muslim polarisation in India over the years, in turn fuelling the Hindu-Muslim chasm in the Valley
Besides 1990s exodus, the memories of Nadimarg Massacre 2003 is still capable of haunting the souls of us;
Nadimarg Massacre 2003
On the night of March 23, 2003, the terrorists entered at Nadimarg village of Jammu and Kashmir and dragged the Kashmiri Pandits out of their homes, lined them, and then shot them to the death. At least 24 Kashmiri Pandit, including 11 women and 2 children, were killed.
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