#HumWapasAayenge Kashmiri Pandits pledge to return home on the eve of Exodus day

It has been 30 years since Kashmiri Pandits were forced to migrate out of the valley due to Islamic Terrorism. On the eve of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus day on January 19th, Kashmiri Pandits from the world over pledged to return to their homeland. The phrase #HumWapasAayenge is a dialogue from the upcoming movie of Kashmiri Pandit exodus ‘Shikhar’. It trended on Twitter with Kashmiri Pandits posting their videos of their pledge.

Actor Chandan Sahu, RJ Khushboo Mattoo, journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, commentator and writer Sunanda Vashist, author Rahul Pandita and scores of other pandits posted their videos with the hashtag #HumWapasAayenge. More than 5 lakhs Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the valley on January 19th, 1990 by Pakistan backed Islamic terrorists. They have settled in various parts of India and abroad.

“As Kashmiri Pandits complete 30 years in exile this weekend, let our cry for justice be finally noticed. We have shown unimaginable resilience, and today we resolve to return home. Kashmiri Pandit friends: please record this video statement and put it up with #HumWapasAayenge,” Chandan Sadhu tweeted.

Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul tweeted a video of his father speaking on the terrorism in the valley which forced them to flee. “It’s been 30 years. My father @kaul_utpal narrates how our house in Kashmir was burned and library destroyed by terrorists. Yet Kashmir Pandits always say, next Shivratri we will celebrate in Kashmir. We have lost our house, not resolve to return to our homeland. #HumWapasAayenge”, he tweeted.

Many other Pandits shared the videos and photos of their childhood memories in the valley. They also recalled the way they were driven out and the killings of Pandits by terrorists that forced them to leave their homeland. This year, Kashmiri Pandits will observe the exodus day as ‘Genocide Day’ and many events and exhibitions have been planned by the community and its well-wishers across the country.