KASHMIR
Its Aborigines a n d their Exodus Colonel Tej K Tikoo, Ph.D.
E
xodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in 1989 was their seventh such exodus since the arrival of Islam in Kashmir in the fourteenth century. This was precipitated by the outbreak of Pakistan-sponsored insurgency across Kashmir Valley in 1989. The radical Islamists targeted Pandits–a minuscule community, in Muslim dominated society, creating enormous fear, panic and gave sense of insecurity. In the face of ruthless atrocities inflicted on them, the Pandits’ sole concern was ensuring their own physical safety and their resolve not to convert to Islam. Over 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee en masse leaving their home and hearth. This was the single largest forced displacement of people of a particular ethnicity after partition. Pandits’ travails did not end with the exodus. The obstructive and intimidating attitude of the State administration towards the Pandit refugees made their post-exodus existence even more miserable. The Government at the Centre too remained indifferent to their plight. This book traces the Pandits’ economic and political marginalization in the State over the past six decades and covers in detail the events that led to their eventual exodus. In the light of ethnic cleansing of Pandits from the Valley, the book also examines some critical issues so crucial to India’s survival as a multicultural, liberal and secular democracy.
Where can I get the book? "Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus" will be available, starting last week of October 2012, for Rs.895/-. The book’s website is: http://kashmir-aborigines-and-exodus.com On the website, you can: Connect directly with the author to seek more information. Connect with other readers and engage them and the author in online discussions about the contents of the book. Find additional content from the author that adds to your understanding and deeper insight into Kashmir’s history and politics. Within India Within India, the book will be available on Lancer Military Bookshop at www.indiandefencereview.com through credit / debit card payment. Please note that within India there are no extra charges for shipping, i.e., the book will be supplied at its published price of Rs.895/-. Lancer military bookshop for overseas clients will charge US $ 32.00, which includes airmail shipping. Book can also be ordered from other book shops like flipkart.com, or any other good book shop by placing an order with them. You can also order the book by placing a firm order with your local book shop that can procure and supply it to you. If you are India, it would be advisable to purchase it through credit / debit card from Lancer Military Bookshop at www.indiandefencereview.com. Within North America For readers in North America, this book can be accessed and ordered through credit card from Casemate Publishers, USA, at the following web address: http://www.casematepublishing.com/title.php?isbn=9781935501343 Within United Kingdom and Rest of the World For Rest of the world, except Indian Sub-continent and North America, please contact Casemate UK, through the following address: http://www.casematepublishing.co.uk/plisting.php?subject=Lancer%20International Book can also be ordered from Amazon.com. The stocks of the book with our international distributor, i.e. Casemate will be available by January 2013. Please remember, Casemate publishers normally order very small quantities. However, if you give them firm orders from now onwards, they will cater for your demand.
With inputs from Dr K. N. Pandita, Dr M. K. Teng, Dr Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani, Sh Bansi Pandit and Capt S. K. Tikoo
2013 • ISBN 978-1-935501-34-3 • Hb pp 670 • Rs 895