The Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS), an organisation representing non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits, has urged the administration to officially designate March 14 as Martyrs’ Day in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the KPSS, the demand aims to commemorate the victims of violence, beginning with the tragic killing of Prabhawati on 14 March 1989, which marked the onset of a series of violent events leading to the mass exodus of the community in 1990.
The KPSS president, Sanjay Tickoo, in a statement, said the call for recognition is rooted in denial of the Kashmiri Pandit genocide by sections of the society.
“The tragic history of the Kashmiri Pandits is a deep scar on the conscience of the nation. Even after decades, a significant section of the majority community remains in denial, attempting to erase or distort history to evade accountability,” Tickoo said.
He said the KPSS has highlighted that the violence against Kashmiri Pandits peaked in 1990, leading to their migration from Kashmir.
The KPSS has cited documented records showing that 258 members of the community were killed between May and June 1990.
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The targeting of Kashmiri Pandits led to mass killings and the destruction of temples, homes and cultural heritage.
Tickoo said generations have grown up away from their ancestral homeland, putting their cultural identity at risk of being erased.
The KPSS asserts that declaring 14 March as Martyrs’ Day is a step towards recognising this historical injustice.
“This is not just about commemoration, but about reclaiming history and ensuring such tragedies are never forgotten,” the statement added.
The organisation has made a strong appeal to both the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the central government to officially acknowledge March 14 as Martyrs’ Day in the Union Territory.
“The wounds of insurgency remain fresh, and the struggle for justice continues,” Tickoo said.“By officially commemorating this day, we can ensure that the sacrifices of the Kashmiri Pandits are never forgotten and that their pain is acknowledged with the dignity and solemnity it deserves.”
