Martyrs Day: 14 September

#BalidanDiwas #14September #25YearsInExile

On September 14, 1989, a noted lawyer and BJP national executive member Pandit Tika Lal Taploo was brutally killed by JKLF militants in Srinagar. Murder of this kind man and a political stalwart, shook the entire Pandit community. In the coming days posters came up on walls, summarily ordering all Kashmiris to strictly follow the Islamic dress code, prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks and imposing a ban on video parlours and cinemas. Notices were pasted on doors of Pandit houses, asking the occupants to leave Kashmir. The so-called well wishers and neighbours turned up unannounced and advised that ‘abhi hawa kharaab hai’; ‘escape to Jammu’. More reports of brutal killing of Hindus, invariably Kashmiri Pandits, began to trickle in notably: Justice N K Ganju of the Srinagar high court was shot dead. Pandit Sarwanand Premi, 80-year-old poet, and his son were kidnapped, tortured, their eyes gouged out, and hanged to death. A Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla ji working at the Soura Medical College Hospital in Srinagar was gang-raped and sliced into bits and pieces at a sawmill. In villages and towns across the Kashmir valley, terrorist hit lists are circulated with the names of Kashmiri Pandits wanted dead. A terrifying fear psychosis began to take grip of Kashmiri Pandits.

On January 19, 1990 Jagmohan took charge as governor of Jammu and Kashmir imposed curfew in the valley. JKLF and Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists used public address systems at mosques to exhort people to defy curfew and take to the streets. Masked men, firing from their Kalashnikovs, terrorised cowering Pandits. As evening fell, the incitement became louder and shriller. Three taped slogans played repeatedly from the mosques: 'Kashmir mei agar rehna hai, Allah-O-Akbar kehna hai' (If you want to stay in Kashmir, you have to say Allah-O-Akbar); 'Yahan kya chalega, Nizam-e-Mustafa' (What do we want here? Rule of Shariah); 'Asi gachchi Pakistan, Batao roas te Batanev san' (We want Pakistan along with Hindu women but without their men).
….and tens of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits across the valley took the painful decision to flee their homeland to save their lives from rabid jihadis. As many as 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits fled their home and hearth to live as refugees in their own country. A once prosperous community, proud of its rich heritage, lived in grovelling poverty, dependent on government dole and charity, in squalid refugee camps. It’s now 25 years…. an entire generation of exiled Kashmiri Pandits has grown up, without seeing the land from where their parents fled to escape the brutalities of Islamic terrorism.
Lest we forget our roots: Balidaan Diwas in honour of those who gave up their lives so that we could live.

British Parliamentarians side with Kashmiri Hindus

Kashmiri Hindus walked out of the British Parliament in triumph.  The victims of genocide perpetrated by invading extremist Muslim forces were at last able to voice their suffering.  Well informed British MPs lined up in support of the Indian Government position on Kashmir and in support of the Kashmiri Hindus.

In the experience of Kashmiri Hindus, threats such as these have been employed by the extremist to get a foot hold in Kashmir where they then exercise their brutal Sharia style regime. 
Britain's former minister in charge of business engagement with India, Gregory Barker MP, shared an enlightened view. "There is a democratic process in place and around 61 per cent of the population participated in state elections in the region, which sits as part of the world's largest democracy," adding, "Any British insertion will be very unhelpful...India has been the subject of vile terrorist attacks and we stand shoulder to shoulder [with India] on the issue of terrorism".

Conservative Bob Blackman MP of Harrow East (Chair of the All Political Party Group for Hindus) objected to the appeal for right of self determination being projected as a demand of ‘Kashmiris’. He informed the House that, ‘the state of Jammu & Kashmir was a multi-religious and multi-ethnic state that was very much a part of India’.  He reminded the Parliamentarians that, ‘the Maharaja ceded the territory to India. The Pakistani Government and forces refused to accept that decision and invaded. It was at the behest of the Maharaja that the Indian army moved in to try to wrest control back, according to the original purpose. That was in 1947.’ Condemning the terrorist activity in the state, he added, ‘the continued conflict of the past 70 years is terrible, but that it is clear where responsibility for it lies. We must place it fairly and squarely with the Pakistanis and their successive Governments.’ He added, ‘The Shi’a Muslims do not support the right of self-determination, and nor do the Gujjars and Bakarwals, Buddhists, Hindi Dogras, Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs or Christians.’

Labour MP Virendra Sharma of Southall and Ealing said, ' Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, the largest democracy in the world, one that is secular, and with elected representation from all the country’s main religions'. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are open to all. All citizens, regardless of their faith or political beliefs, have been encouraged to exercise their democratic right. As I am sure we will all agree, in a free democracy the ballot box is the best illustration of the will of the people. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir have not reflected any determination for separatism. It is for us to respect the democratic choice of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, not to question it.
Gregory Barker MP of Bexhill and Battle constituency added weight to this and said, ‘we must remind ourselves that the recently concluded Indian elections were the largest exercise in democracy in the history of the world: 550 million free Indians, including 7 million from Jammu and Kashmir, voted in peaceful elections and witnessed the orderly transition of power to a new Government with a new vision’.  Adding further he said, ‘Jihadi elements and terrorists are infiltrating into India from Pakistan as part of a terror campaign. The border is porous and must be protected. Soldiers are there not simply to intimidate but to protect the integrity of not only Jammu and Kashmir but the whole Indian nation, which has been subject to vile terrorist attacks, just like we have in the west and in the UK’.
The MPs commended the Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society for providing them with quality briefing notes updating them with facts and figures, and in apprising them of the situation on the ground. Lakshmi Kaul from the Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society (KPCS) said, ‘Painfully for years the propaganda and vote bank politics has sidelined the plight of not only the Kashmiri Hindus, but also other non-Muslim minorities. Today we are pleased to note that some of our British MPs have understood the real nature of the problem in Kashmir, the constant cross border terrorist attacks that have rendered our community to flee for their very lives.  With the new Government in Delhi with a new vision from PM Modi, we are hopeful that soon there will be justice for all Kashmiri Hindus’.
Attending the debate was Satish Sharma the Secretary General of the National Council of Hindu Temples.  He commented, “Even though MP David Wards’ motivation in calling for the debate may have been unsound and biased, the Hindu community of the UK is indebted to him for helping to bring the issue of the genocide of the Kashmiri Hindus at the hands of Pakistani Muslim terrorists, on to the national and international stage.   Bob Blackman MP and Paul Uppal MP and other members of the Government benches presented compelling, well researched arguments and the Hindu community of the UK should appreciate their contribution”.   Mr Sharma went on to say “I was pleased that even Labour MP’s Bob Gardiner and Virendra Sharma were clear in stating that the State sponsored Pakistani Muslim campaign of terror could no longer be ignored and that British citizens of Pakistani Muslim origin should not be using this subject to ferment hatred and divisions here in the UK”.
Messages of support have been arriving from across the country and even from abroad.  Trupti Patel Vice President of Hindu Forum of Britain commented, ‘The Hindu Forum of Britain stands side by side with our brothers and sisters, the Kashmiri Hindus.  The plight of Kashmiri Hindus has resulted from gross violations of cross border terrorist attacks from Pakistan. When men, women and children are threatened at gun point to convert to Islam or die – what options do these peace loving people have but to flee from their ancestral lands into the relative safety of refugee camps in India.  We are pleased to note that some Parliamentarians have understood the real threat and have elected to state the facts ignoring the dreaded political correctness that has blighted so much of this discussion.  Justice for Kashmiri Hindus is now a must and we must all rally behind the victims who fled the genocide coming from cross border extremist Jihadi Muslims’.

The adjournment debate was sponsored by the Bradford East Liberal Democrat MP David Ward and intended to discuss the ‘Political and Humanitarian situation in Kashmir’.   The MP, who has a sizeable Muslim Kashmiri (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) population in his constituency, reminded us of what Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, the former AJK Prime Minister said when he met MPs through the all-party parliamentary group for Kashmir.  With the rise of extreme jihadists and NATO forces leaving Afghanistan, there is a real danger that what he called “unemployed jihadists” will look for new opportunities within the unresolved Kashmir conflict. 

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood) was also in attendance.  He stated, ‘The UK Government recognise the importance of a strong relationship between India and Pakistan not only for its own sake, but for regional stability. We encourage both sides to maintain dialogue, the pace and scope of which is for the two countries to determine. In that context, we welcome the renewed engagement between India and Pakistan in recent years, including the potential economic benefits that that would bring. We hope that both sides will continue to take further steps to help the growth of both countries’ economies’.  He added, ‘We agree with [the Indian Prime Minister] Mr Narendra Modi that any meaningful bilateral dialogue necessarily requires an environment that is free from terrorism and violence’.

Labour MP Barry Gardiner echoed the British government stand and compared the discussion to the ongoing debate around Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom. "This is almost akin to the Lok Sabha debating the merits and de-merits of Scottish independence," he said.  He went on to remind everyone that ‘More than 20,000 people have already been killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, and it is no use hon. Members here in this Chamber of all places condemning the radicalisation of young Muslim men in their own constituencies, while ignoring the fact that those young men are trained in the terror camps that are operating on the Pakistan border with Jammu and Kashmir. Those who continue to argue to undermine the legitimate sovereignty of India might do better to reflect that the people of India live in a relatively transparent and well-functioning democracy where the economy is growing’.

Congratulations to our achievers of the month!

GCSE results are out and our KP children
have made us proud yet again!

Twin brothers, Vatsal Raina and Vyas Raina secured distinction grades with 12 A* (Vatsal) and 11A* both securing highest markes in the UK in 3 subjects each. Well done both of you!!

"The true happiness for a parent stems from the realisation that the children have surpassed them in their achievements. I walk a bit taller today on cloud nine as our twin sons have done us proud with their GCSE results. From singing 'Twinkle Twinkle little star' as a toddler to bringing 23 A* at GCSE as strapping young men, I am once again humbled by the kindness bestowed by God. Anyone out there who has twins would agree that twins bring twin pleasures!"
- Anita Sharma Raina, proud mother of the twins.

Tejas Kotwal, features on our website yet again with his 12 A* and 2 As. 

Very well done Tejas!! 

Prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
for KP Boy

"Feel humbled after receiving the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for theatre direction today at Agartala from His Excellency Governor of Tripura ................I express my gratitude to my Gurus and Teachers.This award is yours, not mine. I just implemented what you taught me." 

- Asheish Nijhawan, recipient of the prestigious award

Kotwals scale the heights of Mount Snowden, Wales

   

Well done to Kotwal family for having climbed up Mt. Snowden. Dr. Chandan Kotwal, Dr. Shafalica Bhan Kotwal and their sons Tejas and Tanishq succesfully completed the treacherous walk up Mt. Snowden in Wales.

"It's conquering one's doubts and focussing on our innate strength, that's the key challenge", says a proud Chandan Kotwal having completed the climb with his family. 

The Kashmir Debate

Today has been a rather interesting day for all Londoners! A hot debate on one of the leading media channels here - BBC Asian Network where the Kashmir issue was discussed. The presenter - Nihal asked these questions on the show: 

"Can India and Pakistan ever come to an agreement over Kashmir?" 

"Can this issue ever be resolved?" 

"What would you like to see happen?" 

"What is the best solution to bringing peace in the region?"


Click here to listen the debate. Well done to Krishna Bhan, Sanjay Jagatiya, Vinod Tikoo, Kapil Dhar, Devki Nandan Dhar, Anisha Safaya and Akash Kaul for contributing to the debate in the programme. 

Excerpts will shortly be available on our youtube channel - watch this space and let us know your thoughts on this very pertinent debate. Opening this forum for discussion. This isn't just a regional issue, this is a humanitarian debate! So speak up NOW.

PEOPLE SPEAK:

"India is a secular county so questions of minority or majority holds no ground. Kashmir is home of thousands of Hindu families and they were forced to flee. Given an option of leave or die with no support from government, the only safer option was to leave, secure females and our lives. Not that it's hidden from the world how brutally were Hindus murdered. Exile has to end one day and people must go back home."

- Anisha Safaya


"Speaking from the perspective of a Kashmiri pandit who was forced to flee from Kashmir; all this talk about minorities like Sikhs being safe in Kashmir is rubbish. Kashmiri pandits were mercilessly killed and their dismembered bodies thrown on streets. The azaan every morning urged the pandits to leave. Properties were looted after Friday prayers- temples desecrated. No- Kashmiri Pandits were not safe to continue living. The choice was to leave, to die or to convert. Yes, they chose to leave – but have in no way given up claim to their motherland."

- Anupama Handoo

"Kashmir is a part of India and will remain so. The communal color that Pak introduced into the Indian state is highly unacceptable. J&K was a Hindu major state, and muslims have forcibly driven Hindus out, and effected rape, conversions and threat on the non muslims. We all know every Islamic country in the world has been truly bad in terms of Human Rights for other religious minorities, and even majorities, except for Turkey. Does one need to name Iraq? We Indians are secular, and will remain secular. However, just because a smaller chunk of Sunnis want to move to Pak, they alone can't decide the fate of the rest of the substantial Hindus, Shias, Sikhs, Buddhists. Terrorism was introduced by Pakistan in J&K state with double speak and denial in the international media. Inspite of it, India extended a warm hand to solve the issues, and Pakistan keeps double dealing still. No negotiations on that front at all, unless it mends it ways and walks the talk!!!"

- Sai Venu Gopal

"I have many muslim friends (kashmiri Muslims) who are serving in Indian army.... There are more than 20,000 kashmiri muslims working for Indian army and ready to die for India..... I don't hate Muslims, I hate fanatics among them....I hate when fanatics are allowed to decide fate of state by terming their Jihadi aspirations as human rights.....Sopore town has more than 15,000 kashmiri muslim population of retired personal of India army......"

"My house was burnt by my muslim neighbours n I had to flee along with my family in middle of cold November night in 1989, I was 5 years old....I would call it god's grace we managed to flee somehow....the point world needs to realise is majority of kashmiri muslims are settlers from central Asia, even so called hurriyat leader Sued Geelani came from central Asian province of Geelan n the ethnic kashmiri Muslims were converted under shadow of sword.....if the non ethnic population can decide future of state on basis of numbers, I wonder what will happen if people living in Birmingham demand a separate state in 50 years on the basis of their numbers? You can't gift ancestral land of Kashmiri pandits n allow it to become another Jihadi factory threatening humanity of world under influence of Pakistan........"

- Deepak Koul

Janmashtami Celebrations at Gravesend

The KPCS family got together on the eve of Zarmastam to celebrate the festival with much zeal and enthusiasm. An excellent mix of tradition and modernity, the get together was a grand success.




A big thank you to our lovely hosts with the most - Anupama Handoo, Pankaj Raina and Aunty Khemlata Handoo.

It felt like a big joint family function where everyone is doing something or the other, cooking, decorating, setting up and serving. There was lunch for everyone as people came from very far off to participate in the puja and celebration. The menu and preparation was courtesy aunty Khemlata Handoo who served it with much love. The mouthwatering Monj-Nadur, absolutely delightful Phool Roganjosh, Chaaman and Muj Chatin was just perfect for the afternoon.

Lyra & Ishita frying the Pakoris

 Parallely, the Batnee Brigade were busy making the Gaaryi Pakoris with Marchwangun (Chilly Peppers), Vaangun (Aubergine), Olaw (potato) and Choont (Green Apple). There were rounds of different kinds of tea including Kehwa and Sheer Chai keeping the kitchen as busy as it can get!

Aunty Ruby telling the Krishnu Story

The children were busy playing, enjoying the fervour of the Janamashtami festivity and constantly planning and were extremely engrossed in role playing the Krishna story among themselves. Their enthusiasm was encouraged and our dearest Ruby aunty (Mridula Kaul) sat down with the children to tell them the Krishna stories which they thoroughly enjoyed for over an hour...not an easy job to keep these high energy kids engrossed for that long! Well done Mridula Kaul!

Men folk doing the Roff

Children Perform

As the afternoon sun progressed into evening, the variety programme by children and then grown ups began. A range of talents in music and dancing came out and everyone had a great time. The grown ups did Roff (Kashmiri Traditional Dance) and the men folk danced to the very popular spoof done by our biradari members in the US called Pheran Dance (spoof of Lungi Dance, a popular bollywood song). Soon the whole garden was full of all of us dancing, enjoying and having a grand time.

Ishita cutting the cake with kids

Ishita Pandita and Sandeep Pandita, a young couple from Harrow, brought in the cake (eggless) for the celebration of their adorable nephew's 2nd birthday. "Since you are all our family here, this was the best opportunity to celebrate our nephew's birthday amidst all of you and with your blessings for him as he celebrates it with his parents in India," said a happy Ishita.

As everyone settled into the evening's sombre mood, everyone moved to the puja area to begin the Bhajan Sandhya. The Bhajan Sandhya started around 7 pm with Ganesh Vandana, then progressing into Krishna Bhajans, Vishnu bhajans and everyone participated wholeheartedly. By around 1 pm everyone then began singing patriotic songs and it was a highly emotional and charged up environment. The singing of patriotic songs brought childhood memories and tears of joy, pain, love and extreme emotion in all of us. Slowly with dawn fast approaching, the mood lightened up and bollywood old songs took over, moving into ghazals, favourite songs.

In all, yet another amazing community get together, bringing the KPs in the UK closer. It was as usual very heartening to welcome some new faces to the group and see them dance, sing and even make the pakoris! The spirit of KPCS lives on...

Lakshmi Kaul

Bamiyan Budha...by Anupama Handoo in Northern Times

Bamiyan Buddhas all over again

By Anupama Handoo

My uncle was furious. He was looking through his prized collection of National Geograhics’ for a special edition about Bamiyan Buddhas. He wanted to show me how glorious these were and compare those beautiful pictures to the grim headlines of the day’s newspaper – ‘Bamiyan Buddhas destroyed’. I wasn’t particularly young or naïve, I understood that an act of religious fanaticism had destroyed a monument of world heritage. I had seen this fanaticism with my own eyes in 1989-90 when several Hindu temples were destroyed and desecrated in Kashmir. I was hurt and pained but not enough to loose sleep, refuse food and swear in monologue:  I thought that my uncle had lost his mind. I believed that loss of inanimate symbols should never drive sensible people to frustration. I was wrong. Symbolism IS  important .

When we were denied the Kausar Naag pilgrimage in 2014, I felt just like my uncle. He had never been to Afghanistan to see the Bamiyan Buddhas – I had never done the Kausar Naag pilgrimage… but the underlying frustration was probably the same… who gave them the right to rewrite history… all over again?

Every time the fanatics desecrate a temple or rename it, an attempt is made to wish away history.  With every pilgrimage denied and disrupted, they are denying us our roots. Kashmir was Kashyap V:r much before the influence of Persians. Most of the population can still trace their lineage to Hindu families who were forcibly converted to Islam over the years. Why then this mindless whitewash of heritage? The denial of religious and cultural symbolism may appear to remove undesirable chapters from history – but not for long. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, any denial will come to bite back manifold. It will not be easy to erase the Kashmiri Hindu existence from the history of Kashmir. In the process, the links will get stronger and undeniable. Long after they were mindlessly destroyed, Bamiyan Buddhas have not been forgotten – neither will be Martand Temple, Shankaracharya Hill, or KausarNaag….