The Sixth Kashmiri Pandit Exodus (1986)

Historical Context

The 1980s marked a period of rising Islamic militancy in Kashmir, fueled by regional instability, the aftermath of the Soviet-Afghan War, and Pakistan’s support for insurgent groups. The 1986 Anantnag riots, occurring in February 1986, were a significant precursor to the mass Kashmiri Pandit exodus of 1989–1990. Triggered by communal tensions over religious sites and political decisions, these riots targeted Kashmiri Pandits, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. The rigged 1987 Jammu and Kashmir elections further radicalized Kashmiri youth, amplifying militancy and setting the stage for the larger displacement of Pandits. The 1986 exodus, though smaller than the seventh, signaled the growing vulnerability of the Pandit community in the Kashmir Valley.

Forms of Oppression

Targeted Violence

  • Anantnag Riots (February 1986): Communal riots erupted in Anantnag, Sopore, Vanpoh, and other towns, sparked by Chief Minister Ghulam Mohammed Shah’s decision to build a mosque near a Hindu temple in the Jammu Secretariat and the Rajiv Gandhi government’s unlocking of the Babri Masjid for Hindu worship. Hindu temples, Pandit homes, and shops were attacked, as reported by the Associated Press, which noted the deployment of army units with “shoot-on-sight” orders to quell the violence.
  • Physical Attacks: The riots involved vandalism and arson targeting Pandit properties, creating widespread panic among the community. These acts were among the first instances of targeted violence against Pandits in the 1980s.

Threats and Intimidation

  • Militant Threats: Early Islamist groups, including precursors to the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), issued threats against Pandits, accusing them of loyalty to India. Posters and verbal warnings began appearing, demanding that Pandits leave the Valley, setting a precedent for the more intense threats of 1989–1990.
  • Psychological Fear: The riots and emerging militant rhetoric created a pervasive sense of insecurity, prompting some Pandits to consider leaving preemptively, particularly those with resources or vulnerable family members.

Political Marginalization

  • Rise of Militancy: The rigged 1987 elections, suppressing the pro-Pakistan Muslim United Front (MUF), radicalized Kashmiri youth, boosting groups like JKLF and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pandits, perceived as aligned with India due to their historical administrative roles, were increasingly sidelined by pro-independence and Islamist movements.
  • Erosion of Influence: The growing dominance of separatist politics left Pandits politically isolated, with their concerns ignored by both state and militant actors.

Perpetrators

  • Militant Groups: Early Islamist factions, including JKLF precursors, were involved in orchestrating the Anantnag riots and issuing threats, laying the groundwork for later violence.
  • Local Mobs: Some local Muslim youth participated in the riots, attacking Pandit properties, though the extent of broader community involvement is debated and likely limited, as per scholarly accounts.
  • External Actors: Pakistan’s support for militancy, providing training and arms in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, fueled the unrest, with ripple effects seen in the 1986 riots, as noted in historical analyses.

Flight and Conversion

  • Mass Exodus: The 1986 Anantnag riots prompted a small but noticeable exodus of Pandits, primarily to Jammu or urban centers in India like Delhi. Exact numbers are unclear but estimated in the thousands, significantly smaller than the 1989–1990 exodus.
  • No Significant Conversion: Unlike earlier exoduses, forced conversion was not a prominent feature, as the violence was driven by communal and political motives rather than religious coercion. Threats of conversion emerged later, closer to 1989.
  • Fear-Driven Migration: The riots signaled growing insecurity, leading wealthier or more vulnerable Pandits to leave preemptively. Many who stayed faced heightened anxiety, anticipating further violence.

Scale and Impact

  • Limited Scope: The 1986 exodus was smaller than the subsequent 1989–1990 exodus, affecting thousands rather than tens of thousands. However, it marked a critical turning point, highlighting the Pandit community’s vulnerability in the face of rising militancy.
  • Psychological Impact: The riots instilled a sense of fear and alienation among Pandits, foreshadowing the mass displacement three years later. The lack of state protection during the riots eroded trust in authorities.
  • Precursor to Larger Exodus: The events of 1986, combined with the rise of militancy and targeted killings in 1987–1989, set the stage for the Seventh Kashmiri Pandit Exodus, as the community faced escalating threats and violence.

Key Events Leading to the 1986 Exodus

  • Anantnag Riots (February 1986): The riots, sparked by decisions over religious sites in Jammu and Ayodhya, targeted Pandit properties and temples, marking the first wave of communal violence in the 1980s.
  • Rise of Militancy (1987–1989): The rigged 1987 elections radicalized Kashmiri youth, leading to bomb blasts, targeted killings, and calls for Sharia law by 1988. Pandits were increasingly viewed as symbols of Indian authority.
  • Targeted Killings (1989): The assassinations of prominent Pandits like Prabhavati (March 1989), Tika Lal Taploo (September 1989), Neel Kanth Ganjoo (November 1989), and Prem Nath Bhat (December 1989) heightened fears, though these occurred after the 1986 exodus, they underscored the growing threat.
  • Threats and Propaganda (Late 1989): Militant ultimatums, such as “Raliv, Tsaliv, ya Galiv” (convert, leave, or die), and anti-Hindu slogans via newspapers and mosque loudspeakers amplified panic, building on the insecurity established in 1986.

Contested Narratives

  • Pandit Perspective: Many Pandits view the 1986 riots as the start of a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing, driven by separatist and Islamist forces with Pakistani backing. They cite the targeted nature of the violence as evidence of their marginalization.
  • Kashmiri Muslim Perspective: Some argue the riots were spontaneous reactions to political decisions (e.g., Babri Masjid unlocking) rather than a coordinated anti-Pandit campaign, with broader communal tensions affecting multiple communities.
  • Scholarly View: Historians note that while the riots were significant, they were not as widespread or systematic as the 1989–1990 violence. The lack of precise data on the 1986 exodus complicates assessments, but it undeniably heightened Pandit insecurity.

Conclusion

The Sixth Kashmiri Pandit Exodus of 1986, centered around the Anantnag riots, was a limited but pivotal event driven by targeted violence, threats, and political marginalization amid rising Islamic militancy. Militant groups, local mobs, and Pakistan’s support fueled the unrest, prompting thousands of Pandits to flee to Jammu or urban India. While smaller than the 1989–1990 exodus, the 1986 events served as a warning of escalating communal tensions, eroding the Pandit community’s sense of security and foreshadowing the mass displacement that followed. Despite contested narratives, historical accounts confirm the riots’ role in destabilizing the Pandit presence in the Kashmir Valley.