Mumbai, January 19: Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, currently shooting his 550th film, marked the somber anniversary of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus with a heartfelt video message that has deeply resonated with audiences across the nation.
On this day in 1990, over 500,000 Kashmiri Hindus were forced to flee their ancestral homes in the Kashmir Valley amid targeted violence and terror threats. Kher, himself a Kashmiri Pandit, shared painful memories from that dark chapter, emphasizing that remembering such tragedies is essential to honoring the victims.
In a poignant video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kher reflected, ‘Today, 5 lakh Kashmiris left their homes. People ask why revisit bad days, but just as we celebrate joy, we must remember sorrow too. This is a tribute to those who lost everything on this very day.’ He argued that while change might be elusive, forgetting is not an option.
Kher highlighted the ongoing struggles of displaced Pandits, noting that many elderly survivors yearn to return but find the atmosphere still laced with fear. ‘Article 370’s abrogation was a bold step by the government, yet ground realities haven’t transformed fully,’ he observed, recounting encounters with seniors who have lost their mental peace pining for their lost homes.
Recounting the events of January 19, 1990, Kher wrote, ’36 years ago, five lakh Kashmiri Hindus were compelled to abandon their homes—some with just a suitcase, others with nothing. They carried not just belongings but lifetimes of childhood memories. Refugee camps in Jammu stand as silent witnesses to that horror.’ He added that the film ‘The Kashmir Files,’ in which he played Pushkar Nath Pandit, captured only 10% of the actual suffering—a stark, unforgettable truth.
Kher’s powerful reminder underscores a community’s enduring pain and the call for justice. ‘Never forget, never forgive,’ he urged, reigniting national discourse on the Pandit genocide and rehabilitation efforts. As debates rage over security improvements post-370, voices like Kher’s keep the flame of memory alive, pushing for real restoration.
