Kashmiri diaspora

The Kashmiri diaspora refers to people who have migrated out of the Kashmir Valley into other areas and countries, and their descendants.

Pakistan

Punjab

A large number of Muslim Kashmiris migrated from the Kashmir Valley[1] to the Punjab in the late 19th century because they faced natural disasters and oppression by the Dogra Hindu rulers of Kashmir.[2] Scholar Ayesha Jalal states that they faced discrimination in Punjab as well.[3] According to the 1911 Census there were 177,549 Kashmiri Muslims in the Punjab. With the inclusion of Kashmiri settlements in NWFP this figure rose to 206,180.[4]

One of the most highly educated and prominent Kashmiris in Punjab was Muhammad Iqbal, whose poetry displayed a keen sense of belonging to Kashmir.[3] Other notable members of the Kashmiri diaspora in Pakistan include the current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (paternal ancestry from Anantnag), Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and politician Khawaja Asif.[5]

Azad Kashmir

During the 1990s around 35,000 Kashmiris fled from Indian administered Kashmir to Pakistan, which as of 2010 had not granted citizenship to up to 40 percent of the refugees.[6] Ms. Lucas suggests that the Pakistani government has been slow in providing citizenship to the refugees because doing so might nullify their right to self-determination.

India

Himachal Pradesh, India

The state of Himachal Pradesh in India has the second-largest Kashmiri language speakers after Kashmir Valley and adjoining areas. A number of Kashmiri Pandits after the eruption of Armed rebellion and subsequent human rights violation in the valley migrated to this region over centuries and the numbers increased between 1947–48 and 1989-91.

Delhi, NCR and other parts of India

Delhi has been abode to Kashmiris for centuries, and the number increased in 1947-48 and after start of armed conflict in 1989. A number of Kashmiri organisations have been existence for over half a century in Delhi, including Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Panun Kashmir, Vyeth Television, and N. S. Kashmir Research Institute.

United Kingdom

There are about 500 families of Kashmirs in the UK. They have been essentially upstaged by the far larger numbers of the British Mirpuris, who have waged a campaign since the 1990s laying claim to the 'Kashmiri' identity. The Valley Kashmiris in the UK maintain that they are "Kashmiris" and the Mirpuris are "nouveaux Kashmiris".[7]

Overseas organisations

All entire Kashmiri Pandit organisations spread the message of peace and tranquility. These organisation are trying to preserve Kashmiri language and heritage by teaching youngsters their language, culture and history. Kashmiri Pandit Sabha is the biggest organisation of Kashmiri outside Kashmir, and they have a number of sister chapters across India.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bose, Sumantra (2013). Transforming India. Harvard University Press. p. 211. ISBN 9780674728202.
  2. ↑ Bahl, Arvin (2007). From Jinnah to Jihad: Pakistan's Kashmir Quest and the Limits of Realism. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 76. ISBN 9788126907212.
  3. 1 2 Jalal, Ayesha (2002), Self and Sovereignty: Individual and Community in South Asian Islam Since 1850, Routledge, p. 352, ISBN 978-1-134-59937-0
  4. ↑ Jalal, Ayesha (2002). Self and Sovereignty: Individual and Community in South Asian Islam Since 1850. Routledge. p. 352. ISBN 9781134599387.
  5. ↑ Jaleel, Muzamil (2013). "As Nawaz Sharif becomes PM, Kashmir gets voice in Pakistan power circuit".
  6. ↑ Ahmed, Issam (October 13, 2010). "Thousands fled India-controlled Kashmir. Are they better off in Pakistan?".
  7. ↑ Evans, Alexander (2005). "Kashmir: a tale of two valleys". Asian Affairs. 36 (1): 35–47. doi:10.1080/03068370500038989. (subscription required (help)).

External links

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