What is the real story of Kashmiri Pandits?

Kashmiri Pandits originally lived in the Kashmir Valley before Muslim influence entered the region, following which large numbers converted to Islam. They are the only remaining Hindu community native to Kashmir.

Who is Bhatt caste?

Brahmin Bhatts are the sub- caste among Hindu Brahmins, which follow the rituals of Hinduism, as a Hindu Brahmin does. Kashmiri Hindu Bhatts belong to a Dardic group, which has a very ancient and a complex culture. The literal meaning of the word Bhatt is a priest and is used as a surname.

What happened to Hindu Pandits in Kashmir?

The local organisation of Hindus in Kashmir, Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) after carrying out a survey in 2008 and 2009, said that 399 Kashmiri Hindus were killed by insurgents from 1990 to 2011 with 75\% of them being killed during the first year of the Kashmiri insurgency, and that during the last 20 years.

Who are the Kashmiri Pandits?

They belong to the Pancha Gauda Brahmin group from the Kashmir Valley, a mountainous region located within the Indian -administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits originally lived in the Kashmir Valley before Muslim influence entered the region, following which large numbers converted to Islam.

What is the history of Hinduism in Kashmir?

Most of the Kashmiri Hindus left Kashmir valley and moved to other parts of India, particularly to the refugee camps in Jammu region of the state. On 14 September 1989, Pandit Tika Lal Taploo, who was a lawyer and a BJP member, was murdered by the JKLF in his home in Srinagar.

How many Kashmiris left Kashmir in the 1990s?

According to a number of authors, approximately 100,000 of the total Kashmiri Pandit population of 140,000 left the valley during the 1990s. Other authors have suggested a higher figure for the exodus, ranging from the entire population of over 150,000, to 190,000 of a total Pandit population of 200,000, to a number as high as 800,000.

Why do Kashmiris call Muslims as brothers?

Kashmir used to be fully Hindu state, no Muslim. When Islam grew in Africa and eventually Islamic preachers came to Kashmir too. Kashmiri Pandit community being a Hindu community respects every religions and akin to this, they welcomed Muslims with open arms and called them brothers.