BOOK RELEASE: We Remember 25 Years in Exile

Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society, UK compiled a set of first person accounts of the KP exodus contributed by the victims, now residing in the UK. The book is a set of 25 such stories called "We Remember: 19.01.1990". It was showcased at the Memorial Event at House of Commons on 19th Jan 2015 and inaugurated by Bob Blackman MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group of British Hindus and Barry Gardiner MP. 

Anupama Handoo, Executive Member, KPCS UK and Editor, We Remember: 19.01.1990 says, "It was extremely hard for people to put down their pain on paper. It meant revisiting again and again that horrid winter and spelling out the details from their memory. The horrifying winter over 25 years that they have tried to overcome, they had to revisit and recollect. The contributors have been extremely brave in putting these memories down for the world to read. I commend their effort and courage."

"These stories are first person accounts of individuals and families that suffered. This is agony put on paper of the Kashmiri Hindus who were forced to flee. This is our story for the world to read. These are our wounds, the ones that have not healed. The years may have moved on but time stopped, childhood wiped out and a whole generation lost", says Lakshmi Kaul, Founder & Executive Member, Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society, UK. Lakshmi is one of the contributors in the book.

The book may be requested via email (anupamahandoo@kpcsuk.org) upon a modest donation of £5 (for UK & Europe) and a special discounted rate of INR 200 for India.  Funds raised will be utilised for future work and projects to preserve the heritage and culture of Kashmri Hindus.

Historic Early Day Motion in British Parliament: Team@KPCS take it to the next level

A historic thing happened on 20th Jan 2015. An Early Day Motion on the Kashmiri Hindus Forced Exodus Day has been tabled in the British Parliament by Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East), facilitated by the All Party Parliamentary Group of British Hindus.

Team@KPCS was approached by the Secretariat of the APPG of British Hindus discussing that such an important EDM may help in building awarenesss among parliamentarians. A brilliant and brave step forward, to further the awareness about the Forced Exodus, KPCS supported the suggestion wholeheartedly and drafted the text of the EDM with help from senior political analysts.

#SupportEDM712 

A social media campaign: #SupportEDM712 has been designed to build awareness about the KP Forced Exodus and to get more and more MPs to sign in.

Regular updates on the EDM can be tracked by clicking on the link here.

What we as individuals can do?

What we need to do is to write to our local MPs - and it is very important we all do this - as many people writing is better for putting pressure. We need to write to our local MPs and urge them to sign it and support it. 

You don't need to be a Kashmiri Hindu in order to write to your MP urging them to sign this EDM 712. Any humanitarian and well meaning individual, can do that. Infact, we urge every one of you to take it upon yourself as your personal and moral responsibility to do it.

How to find your MP?

In the search box on the page in link below...enter your postcode and search for your local MP accordingly:

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

COMMEMORATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISPLACEMENT OF KASHMIRI PANDITS FROM JAMMU AND KASHMIR

• Session: 2014-15
• Date tabled: 20.01.2015
• Primary sponsor: Blackman, Bob
• Sponsors: 
  • Thomas, Gareth (Harrow West) 
  • Hancock, Mike 
  • Bottomley, Peter

That this House commemorates with deep sadness the 25th anniversary of the attack in January 1990 by cross-border Islamic militants on the population of Jammu and Kashmir; expresses its condolences to the families and friends of all those who were killed, raped and injured in this massacre and also condemns the desecration of the holiest sites in Jammu and Kashmir; further expresses its concern that the Kashmiris who fled to save life and limb have still not secured justice for the atrocities committed against them; deplores those sponsoring such cross-border terrorist attacks and demands they cease immediately; and notes that the international principle of the responsibility to protect obliges individual states and the international community to take effective measures to prevent the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity as seen against the Kashmiri Hindu community.

Team@KPCS commemorates KP Forced Exodus day: London Awakens to the truth!

WE REMEMBER: 19.01.1990
Kashmiri Hindus Forced Exodus Day Commemoration

Hundreds of people in London came together to commemorate the Kashmiri Hindus Forced Exodus Day (19.01.1990).

On Sunday, 18^th January, people from all over London and around joined the Peace Walk organised by Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society, UK in large numbers including several Kashmiri Hindu families, most of who have been direct victims of the forced exodus in the harsh winter of 1989-90. It was an emotionally charged atmosphere that brought back the haunting memories of their pain. To offer support and solidarity to their brothers and sisters, a number of other Hindu community members joined in and extended their support.

Before commencing the walk, Madhava Turumella, Hindu Scholar and Vice President Hindu Forum of Britain chanted prayers for peace. Offering prayers he said it is sad that, "Kashmiri Hindu Pundits are living like refugees in their own country. Perhaps this kind of misery only Yazidis in Iraq are facing. This situation is not acceptable. I urge the Government of India to take all necessary steps to restore the dignity and the homes of Kashmiri Pandits." 

Walking and singing together “We Shall Overcome”, several people came together to pray for peace and solemnly remember the 19.01.1990. 

“For the first time after years, I witnessed passion, enthusiasm and hope,” said Neetu Jalali, Kashmiri Hindu victim of 1990 exodus, resident of London. 

Dr. Ashish Tyagi who came from Colchester to participate in the walk said, “it has been 25 long years in search of justice - felt good joining and walking for a good cause.”

Speaking to the people attending the Peace Walk, Manoj Ladwa, India Inc. reminded everyone that the world ought to acknowledge the gruesome genocide of the Kashmiri Hindus and anno

unced a slogan: "Je Suis Kashmiri Hindus" to make the world put the genocide in perspective.

Commending the community for its courage and resilience Simon Nayyar, (Conservative party Parliamentary candidate, Feltham constituency) said, “Today as we stand here, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, in sympathy, solidarity and support for humanity. I congratulate you for what you have overcome and what you have since achieved. I salute you for your community's contribution here in Britain and elsewhere. We share pride in your achievements and in your undimming strength, courage and resolve. I am proud to stand here today and join you in your calls for a just, peaceful and a lasting solution which puts the past firmly in the past and enables all of us to look forward with confidence to a brighter, securer and happier future. Our best wishes, support and prayers are with you.”

A Memorial Event was organised the next day at the House of Commons, supported by the All Party Parliamentary Group of British Hindus, co-sponsored by Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East) and Virendra Sharma MP (Southall & Ealing), to offer tribute to the martyrs of the forced exodus.

The KPCS, UK have compiled a book of first person accounts of victims of the exodus, living in England called “We Remember: 19.01.1990”. This was released by Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East) and Barry Gardiner MP (Brent North). 

“It has been 25 years, and yet the camps into which Kashmiri Pandits were forced remain. There have been no reparations made for the brutal ethnic cleansing that was perpetrated. It hasn't been easy for community members here in the UK to openly speak of the atrocities they personally experienced and the hardship they continue to endure as a result, so it is very important that Hindus have a voice. We must not forget what happened and that their suffering continues to this day,” said Bob Blackman MP listening intently to the first person accounts of the victims of the exodus.

A special screening of a poignant film, “Abandoned Cranes” was held. The film is made by a young Indian law student & film maker, Siddhartha Acharya (23 years old) who captured the factual sequences of events during the exodus –an attempt to document facts of the Kashmiri Hindus’ displacement. The film features interviews of the likes of Mark Tully, Francois Gautier, Jagmohan, some millitants and key Kashmiri Hindu and other activists. 

 

At the Memorial Event, Ahmed Burjus, a member of the Yezdi community, spoke about the plight of the Yezdis and their ethnic extermination. Representatives of Bangladeshi Hindu community shared their stories too and the hapless, helpless state they are currently in. Both, starkingly similar to that of the Kashmiri Hindus plight. Adding to the discussion, Manu Khajuria (Ms) represented the Dogras, another Hindu community in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

A solemn reflection and sharing of personal experiences provided for the first time a formal platform, for the recognition of ethnic extermination of minority Hindus around the world. “It is very important for the international community to recognise and accept that the genocide of the Kashmiri Hindus is infact a matter of global concern – it ought to be acknowledged and justice sought and delivered accordingly,” says Lakshmi Kaul, Founder and Executive Member, Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society UK.

Messages of solidarity and support were sent in to the Kashmiri Hindu community from prominent members of the ethnic Indian community. 

“The Kashmiri Pandit community, though small in numbers is renowned across the world for its peaceful and loving nature. They continue to represent hope for other minority communities who have faced similar hardships. I too have been a victim of exile, having been exiled from Uganda in 1972 by the brutal dictator Idi Amin. If there is one thing that I have learnt from my experience, then that is to stand up and speak out against persecution of any kind,” said Lord Dolar Popat, Government Whip, Lord-in-Waiting and Spokesman for Business, Innovation and Skills and Transport.

Trupti Patel, President of Hindu Forum of Britain said, “HFB stands hand in hand with our Kashmiri Hindu brothers and sisters. We must not forget thousands of Hindus who lost their life and also those who suffered horrific atrocities during the ethnic cleansing of Kashmir.”

Contact:

Lakshmi Kaul

Founder & Executive Member, Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society
www.kpcsuk.org
Email: lakshmikaul@kpcsuk.org
Twitter: @KPCSUK

Peace Walk @ Trafalgar Square on 18 Jan 2015

Memorial Event @ House of Commons on 19 January 2015

Team@KPCS Wishes you a Very Happy New Year 2015