It's a nation that grew up in massacres, rapes, abduction, brutal torture, and extreme hatred. It's a nation whose only crime is that its majority converted to Islam hundreds of years ago peacefully.

The conversion to Islam took place in the late 13th century, influenced by the Sufi tradition. Syed Ali Hamdani (Amir-e-Kabir), who visited Kashmir at least thrice, was instrumental in converting Kashmiri Pandits to Islam. It was a smooth transformation, with no arms used.

Kashmiri Muslims possess a unique identity that blends Islamic practices with the region's cultural and linguistic heritage. The valley’s Islam, steeped in the Sufi tradition, emphasizes peace, mysticism, and spirituality, setting it apart from orthodox practices elsewhere in South Asia.

A Region Under Siege

Since 1947, Kashmir has lived under siege by the Indian army. The army, along with civil servants and figures from New Delhi, has been implicated in the rape and torture of innocents. The so-called secure government acts as an occupying force, imposing tyrannical rule.

The Roots of Tragedy

The narrative of massacre began in the 1940s when Hindu rulers and masses, spurred by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), orchestrated horrific violence against Muslims in Jammu. The Governor of Kashmir, Jagmohan, manipulated events leading to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.

The RSS, supported by the military and others, propagated false stories portraying the Muslim victims as perpetrators. Today, Hindu nationalists engineer the exodus of Kashmiri Muslims, aiming to erase their history and transform the state into an extremist Hindu region. Historical records indicate that the Maharaja’s forces targeted thousands of Muslims in a sequence of violent massacres. According to reports, figures of those killed range from 20,000 to 100,000.

A report published in The Times, London (10 August 1948) stated:

“2,37,000 Muslims were systematically exterminated – unless they escaped to Pakistan along the border – by the forces of the Dogra State headed by the Maharaja in person and aided by Hindus and Sikhs.”

Legacy of Displacement and Violence

The creation of Pakistan was accompanied by widespread communal violence, especially affecting Punjab and other parts of North India, including Jammu. During this period, Hindus targeted thousands of Muslims, organizing massacres that led to deaths estimated between 20,000 and 100,000. This violence forced hundreds of thousands to flee, with many heading to Azad Jammu and Kashmir in present-day Pakistan.

Hindu officials aimed to alter the demographics of Jammu to secure its future as part of India, thus initiating targeted violence. This led to a Hindu-majority Jammu, deepening the communal divide and sowing seeds of mistrust.

Lingering Tensions and Underreported History

The massacre and related violence have left a legacy of communal tension and mistrust, contributing to Kashmir's complex status in Indo-Pak relations. The Jammu massacre remains underreported, overshadowed by other Partition events due to the region’s sensitive political context.

Historians and advocacy groups urge greater recognition of the massacre to help document the pain and promote peace. This tragic chapter underscores the human toll of Partition and the importance of addressing historical grievances.

The Path Forward

Kashmir remains an unresolved and contentious issue, interwoven with nationalism, religious identity, and regional security. In 1947, the partition agreement led to a divided subcontinent based on religious majorities. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, under Maharaja Hari Singh, initially chose independence but later acceded to India for military assistance against internal rebellion, sparking the first Indo-Pakistani War (1947–1948).

The United Nations called for a referendum on the region’s future, which never materialized. While India asserts ownership based on the Maharaja’s decision, Pakistan claims Kashmir should be part of its territory due to the Muslim-majority population.

The region remains strategically important, sharing borders with India, Pakistan, and China. Multiple conflicts, including wars in 1965 and 1999 (Kargil Conflict), have failed to provide a lasting solution. In 1989, an armed movement erupted in Indian-administered Kashmir, deepening Indo-Pak tensions and leading to a significant military presence.

Understanding this history is crucial for navigating the Kashmir dispute and fostering a sustainable resolution.