Was KP Migration an Exodus?

...a judicial enquiry by an impartial international commission is overdue

Dr. Javid Iqbal

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File PhotoWhile overwhelming majority of valleyites, almost without a voice of dissent want KP brethren back, certain key issues need be resolved. I may hasten to add, KP return may not be held hostage to the resolution of these issues. KP brethren are welcome, the moment they step on this side of Pir Panchal. The vale of Kashmir is their  land, as much as it is of any other community. The issues need resolution to set the historical record straight. First and foremost, an impartial judicial commission of people with an international standing needs to probe, what led to mass migration of KP's.  Even though the majority left, some families did stay back. The commission may also look into how the ones who preferred to stay were treated. This could be a benchmark to assess, whether the decision to migrate en-masse was as sane as it is made to be by some quarters.
Why a judicial commission with an international standing? Whatever the adjudication of such a commission, it would carry a greater weight than a commission which might be viewed with suspicion, even before it starts its work. Two, the adjudication would be on terms of reference, which could be based on rival claims. While some hold the view that KP's were left with no option but to migrate, the other view holds that it was engineered eviction. Both sides project weighty arguments, hence the fear that truth might be lost in the heat generated by opposing arguments. Civil society across the board in Kashmir has in fact been demanding such a probe to set the historical record straight. And anyone believing in fair judgement on events, as they unfolded vis-a-vis KP migration should have no objection to an impartial probe.
There are some organization as well as individuals using the word 'Exodus' at the drop of the hat, without understanding its significance. 'Exodus' originates from ancient Greek word 'Exodos' meaning 'Going Out'.  In its Judeo-Christian essence 'Exodus' is a book from testaments--a religious text. It pertains to exodus of Hebrews from Egypt, the land they had migrated to after the famine in Cana, the original Hebrew land. The Hebrew settlements multiplied over centuries, after Joseph/Hazrat Yusuf [A.S] invited his own people to settle during his stewardship of Egypt. Eventually Pharaohs of Egypt feared Hebrews outnumbering Egyptians, and starting tormenting the community.  Forced labour on pyramids and on agricultural fields made Hebrews pray for deliverance.
Moses/Hazrat Mousa [A.S] led them out of Egypt, away from tyranny of Pharaohs. Religious texts of people of book [Ahl-e-Kitab] bear witness that Moses by a queer incident of fate had been brought-up in palace of Pharaohs. However, he eventually discovered his roots and led his people out of Egypt. Certain facts stand out, Hebrews were not originally Egyptians, while as KP's are originally Kashmiris. How does their migration fit into what 'Exodus' implies in popular perception? It was the prayer of Hebrews to be move out of Egypt, same cannot of said of KP's. Hence, to call KP migration an 'Exodus' is a contradiction in terms, as understood in the context of testaments. Its excessive use could be because of ignorance of what the term implies in its Judeo-Christian essence. Ignorance however could hardly be the trait of KP's with their high literacy levels.  Or, it is used by design, as it has a telling effect in Judeo-Christian world, which is highly unfortunate, being contradiction in terms.
While as inter-community bonhomie would do Kashmiris of all hues a lot of good, certain organizations and individuals prompted and promoted by vested interests continue to poison relations by needless verbal lashings on electronic channels. Words like 'Ethnic Cleansing' and 'Exodus' are volleyed without thinking how harmful, it could be for promoting amity among communities. Some like Anupam Kher need to prove, whether they were at all putting up in the valley, as and when the migration took place, or even before the event. In 1990, Anupam Kher was already an established star in Bollywood. Promoting inter-community living may not entail celluloid posturing or  heroics, it calls for cool reasoning.
Kashmir needs to tie-up loose ends, KP's moving out have left a void in inter-community living, Kashmiris were known for. The lanes and bye-lanes of localities in inner cities and villages of Kashmir would thrive with families who formed a part of landscape for centuries. Separate clusters and colonies are not going to re-make Kashmir of yesteryears, faith and effort has to be reinvested in joint living--sooner the batter!
Yaar Zinda, Sohbat Baqi [Reunion is subordinate to survival]
(The author is doctor in medicine, a social activist, and a senior columnist)