Hindus have been bleeding since 1989: Ashwani Bhat

While the World is sympathizing with what has happened, and the Centre has promised that normal life will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir soon, a Mumbai based Kashmiri Pandit who fled from his house in Anantnag district of Kashmir back in 1989 thinks otherwise. Speaking exclusively to Ruddhi Phadke, the News Editor of ‘The Perfect Voice’, Ashwani Bhat, the President of the Kashmiri Pandit Association of Mumbai that also covers Thane, Raigad and Navi Mumbai and has over 1000 families as its members including popular personalities like Anupam Kher shared his valuable insights on why Kashmir is still bleeding. Bhat said, “Terror attacks will keep happening because locals are in support of these terrorists. We have failed to understand the root cause of why Pakistan has been able to keep this fire on in Kashmir.”

When did you leave Kashmir and under what circumstances?

I was born in Nai Basti located in Anantnag district of Kashmiri. I was a victim of the 1989 mass exodus. We had two huge houses having 12-15 rooms each. We had beautiful houses. The atmosphere was getting worse. We were continuously threatened through sign boards or mosque announcements that clearly said, “Convert to Islam, leave the place or get killed.” We had no option; I shifted out of Kashmir along with my parents and grandmother. I don’t have a house there, I have no relatives there. I visit Srinagar every year for emotional reasons, visit temples, stay for two days in hotels and return.

Where did you complete your schooling? Did you face any discrimination?

I did my schooling in Anantnag. Discrimination, threats were always there. I was the only Hindu boy in my class till class 10. We could see discrimination against Hindus at every step, from education opportunities to jobs and more. In fact, we were singled out to an extent that I remember I used to wipe off the red tilak that I used to put on my forehead during any pooja or function before stepping out of my house. I was always very scared.

Have you ever visited Baisaran valley where the attack happened?

Of course, it was hardly 15-17 km from my house. It was a popular spot for our school picnics. I saw the pictures that were circulated of the attack. Nothing has changed. The road is still not motorable, we still need to get there on horses or by trekking. The visuals brought back my childhood memories and what happened was beyond my imagination. Same fear! Same experience of being targeted for being Hindus! Nothing has changed. The Government keeps saying after every attack in Kashmir, that life has been restored. However, life was never really restored in Kashmir for Hindus.

What is the solution?

We haven’t really understood the root cause of the issue that has kept Kashmir bleeding. We are busy blaming Pakistan and planning to attack Pakistan. Yes, Pakistan is an enemy. However, a worse enemy lies within Kashmir. The local residents who give shelter and support to these terrorists are not allowing us to wipe off terror from the valley. We need to address the root cause. Unless locals stop supporting these Pakistan sponsored terrorists, nothing will change.

Why do you think locals are risking their source of income by supporting these terrorists?

The locals are aware that Kashmir’s economy depends on tourism, and an attack on tourists will push them towards another major setback. Luckily although they know this, and though they want people to come and boost their tourism sector, ironically some of them still continue to support these terrorists which seem like a dreadful reminder of their intolerance towards Hindus. They seem to want to keep that fire on.

Has the efforts of the Indian army or abrogation of article 370 changed anything?

At the end of the day, everyone wants peace. Peace comes only with prosperity. Prosperity comes when business opportunities come. Abrogation of article 370 has changed the face of Kashmir to a large extent. Locals are minting money due to the investments that are coming in. At the end of the day you continue to remain economically backward in isolation. You need investments coming from outside. Locals can't do much all alone. Whether they like it or not, locals are benefitting from the investments coming from outside. The locals have realized what their future lies in. Having said that, one thing is clear! Kashmir can never be prosperous unless Pandits shift back to the land that originally belonged to them. Locals will have to accept this.