Kashmiri Pandits

Hindu Brahmins residing in Kashmir are known as Kashmiri Pandit. They were followers of Shiva. Kashmir use to be Hindu State till Muslims preachers entered Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits use to respect Muslim followers but after the mugal came in power they were forced to convert their religion. People residing there were either from Pandits background or migrated Muslim. They wanted that state be Muslim rule but unfortunately Sikh came into power. Maharaja Ranjit Singh became ruler of Kashmir. There was a non-muslim ruler in Kashmir, Pandits being educated community were given higher status in society. Sheikh Abdulla was a critic of Dogra rule. After 1947 Indo – Pak partition states were formed. Maharaja Ranjit Singh as ruler decided not to merge with India or Pakistan. Pakistan took advantaged and created terror in Kashmir. They concerned a part of Kashmir known as POK. Indian force helped Singh to fight against PAK so he decided to hand over state to India. They became victim of politics and started demanding for Muslim state or separate independent state. Pandit community being an Indian supporter in Kashmir was made to suffer.  in 1990's situation in Kashmir grew beyond control. Terrorist elements were raised at local level by Pakistan. A notice was published in local newspaper asking Pandits to leave Kashmir. Pandits left Kashmir in 19^th January 1990 left their motherland, their properties to save their culture. They were forced to leave in tents akin to stable. No one paid attention to then, because they were not a substantial vote bank. Many Pandits died because they were not familiar with such hot environment. They demand separate town in Kashmir for their rehabilitation, and its no way wrong. The Pandits community have been punished for no crime. They have suffered a lot but unfortunately no one paid attention to them. Because, they were not a vote bank.