Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) held a panel discussion on the plight of Kashmiri Hindus to commemorate the Ethnic Cleaning, Genocide, and the tragic “Mass-Exodus Day” of being forced out of Kashmir at Westborough, MA on Sunday morning, January 19, 2020. On January 19, 1990, over four lakhs Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave their ancestral homes and homeland in the Valley following a very barbaric ethnic cleansing and genocidal campaign launched by the terrorists. More than 100 audiences attended the program and the stories of these Kashmiris educated the non-Kashmiris and motivated them to stay together in their efforts for the reestablishment of Kashmiris.

The program began with the chanting of Shanti Mantra by Mr. Sanjay Saxena and Sangeeta Saxena followed by the offering of flowers to the martyrs of the event. Ms. Sunayana Kachroo, who is a poet, recited two poems that narrated what happened to Kashmiris on that day and how much they miss their homeland. Later, distinguished panel members spoke with utmost agony on the exodus of Hindus from Kashmir that happened three decades ago by narrating many pent up memories of loss and pain. Their stories of lost childhood, lost homes, lost culture, music, and art, mixed with feelings of lost friendships, betrayal and a feeling of being disowned, dispossessed and uprooted made everyone very empathetic and educated audiences with true information. Few other members talked about the current plight of Kashmiris as refugees in their own country and what and how government can help them to re-establish their lives.

Dr. Chand Bhan spoke about how all the NRI Kashmiris are working together and gathering all the resources to work on their agendas that help to end genocide in the valley. Ms. Kavita Chibber gave a vivid picture of how the government and non-government agencies including media were working on this Kashmir issue. Ms. Arti Kaul who is a famous singer talked about losing Kashmiri culture, music, and art and how she is working to restore and revive them. Dr. Omanand Koul spoke eloquently about the ten thousand years old and rich history of Kashmir. Mr. Lalit Koul talked about the terrorists’ violence in Kashmir and how they were forced to flee the Kashmir valley as a result of being targeted by the terrorists. Ms. Megha Koul who is a medical student here visited Kashmir refugee camps in India to understand their pain and plight and trying to provide them some medical services. Mr. Vikram Salman who as a young boy experienced the terror of mass-exodus of Kashmiris by Muslim militants and narrated that horrendous story. On that dark day, Kashmiri Hindus were given eviction notice by the Muslim community & the Islamic terrorists. It was the day when the threat to convert, die or run away replaced the sounds of morning Azaan from all mosques in the Valley. He recalled the horror of waking up to hear this command. Over half a million innocent people had to abandon their homes and belongings as they headed to safer areas outside of Kashmir. He said that Kashmiri Pandits/Hindus were made homeless overnight and since then they have become refugees in our own country. Mr. Sanjay Saxena talked about how to exercise control over the breeding of terrorists and eliminate them from the valley and safeguard the lives of the Hindus in Kashmir. Dr. Anupam Wali he narrated how they all struggled in the initial years being scattered all over the world and later formed their KOA to stay together and support each other. At the end, Dr. Abhaya Asthana talked about how the present government can help them in re-establishing Kashmiris’ life and at the same time he encouraged the Kashmiri community to take initiative and get motivated as all the non-Kashmiris stand behind them.

The panel members answered all the questions of the audiences with the relevant facts and logic in the Q and A session. Mr. Sanjay Kaul moderated the program very diligently. He concluded the program by saying the denial, misinformation, and silence of the forced exodus of the Kashmiri Hindu community has been rampant in narratives by the press and in discussions and debates all across the world. It was thus imperative on Kashmiri Overseas Association to educate others and to make all efforts to get their voices heard. He thanked all the panel members for sharing their stories and making suggestions for policy making. He expressed his gratitude for all the participants for their interest and support. He also thanked all the volunteers for their help and services.

One of the attendees said that this discussion on the Kashmiri Hindus’ struggle to survive and maintain their culture & heritage is an opening. Along with government, other non-Kashmiris need to join their hands and support them in their struggle of survival and settlement. Hope to see the end of terrorists in the valley soon.

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