January 19: Remembering the Tragic Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in 1990 – A Dark Chapter in Indian History

January 19 is observed as a day of remembrance for the tragic exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the Kashmir Valley in 1990, when an entire community was forced to flee their homeland due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and rising islamist extremism aimed at changing the demography of the region.

This event, which led to the tragic exodus of over 3.5 lakh Hindus, highlights the pain and hardship the community faced as they were driven out of their homeland due to violence and threats.

 

 

 

 

The violence began in 1989, with the cold-blooded assassination of Kashmiri Hindu leader Tika Lal Taploo, followed by targeted killings of community members. By January 1990, terror head reached a peak, threats from mosques demanded that Hindus either convert to Islam, leave, or face death. Those who chose to leave were warned to leave their women behind. The chilling slogan, “Raliv, Galiv ya Chaliv” (Convert, Leave, or Die), spread fear and chaos among Hindus..

 

 

 

 

 

Backed by Pakistan’s ISI, terrorist groups like the JKLF marked homes, issued threats, and unleashed violence. Families were forced to abandon their ancestral land as women were threatened and raped, many were killed, and homes were destroyed. By the end of 1990, over 300,000 Hindus had fled to safer places like Jammu and Delhi, leaving behind their history and identity in the valley.

 

 

On this day, India remembers the lives lost and the suffering of the displaced Kashmiri Hindu community. This exodus remains a dark chapter in Indian history and a reminder of Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism.

 

 

 

On January 17, 2025, the UK Parliament marked the 35th anniversary of the Kashmiri Hindu Pandit exodus. A motion was tabled urging the UK Government to officially recognise January 19 as ‘Kashmiri Pandit Exodus Day.’ It also called on the Indian Government to pass the proposed ‘Panun Kashmir Genocide Crime Punishment and Atrocities Prevention Bill.’ The motion offered condolences to British Hindus whose families and friends were killed, raped, injured, or forced to leave during the exodus and condemned the damage done to holy sites in Jammu and Kashmir.