Those Who Stayed, the Sikhs of Kashmir
Publisher: Amaryllis(An Imprint of Manjul Publishers)
First edition: 25th April 2024, Second edition: Sept-2024
Page Count: 308 pages. Formats: Paperback and Kindle
Those Who Stayed: The Sikhs of Kashmir, written by Bupinder Singh Bali, is a powerful docu-memoir that brings to light a narrative often overlooked in discussions about Kashmir: the experiences of Kashmiri Sikhs. While the stories of Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits are widely known through books and films, this is the first detailed work that exclusively focuses on the Sikh community, who have lived in the region for over 500 years. With a blend of historical research, survivor interviews, and personal reflections, Bali crafts a deeply compelling portrayal of a resilient minority caught amid decades of conflict.
Expanding the Notion of Sikh Identity
Bali’s book challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of Sikh identity. For many, “Sikh” is synonymous with Punjab, reducing the community’s heritage to a specific region. Yet, as Bali emphasizes, the Sikh Gurus taught a universal message meant to transcend geographical boundaries. Sikhs of Kashmir are not immigrants or part of a diaspora but are native to Kashmir itself. Bali reminds readers that this region has significant connections to Sikh history: Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Har Rai Ji, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji all visited Kashmir, and the Sikh Empire once ruled it. Kashmir was also the place where the Guru Nanak revealed Aasa di Vaar and the place from which he brought the script that inspired Gurmukhi, rooted in the Sharda script. This rich history underscores that the Sikhs of Kashmir are integral to the region’s fabric.
History and Hardships of Kashmiri Sikhs
Through extensive research, Bali provides a thorough account of the challenges and trauma that Kashmiri Sikhs have faced. Covering events from the 1947 Partition and Kabali raid to the rise of militancy over the past 35 years, Bali offers readers a rarely seen perspective on the violence and displacement that has marked Kashmiri Sikhs’ lives. The book examines pivotal incidents, including the 1947 invasion by Kabalis (tribal militias from Afghanistan, assisted by Pakistan’s army), which led to the massacre of an estimated 33,000 Sikhs. Bali also brings attention to the lesser-known Battle of Ichahama and Attina, in which Kashmiri Sikhs fought to keep the region within India. These stories, missing from mainstream narratives, are vital parts of the community’s collective memory.
The book covers other horrific events as well, such as the 2000 Chithisingpora massacre, where 35 Sikhs were killed, and the Posh-Kriri killings, in which three young Sikh girls were shot while performing evening prayers at home. Bali’s inclusion of interviews with survivors adds a profoundly human layer to these accounts, emphasizing the emotional scars that the community carries. Through these narratives, Bali honors the memory of those who lost their lives and highlights the community’s courage and resilience in the face of enduring trauma.
The Struggles of a Microscopic Minority
With Sikhs comprising less than 0.8% of Kashmir’s population, Bali explores what it means to be a “microscopic minority” in a Muslim-majority state. The community faces unique existential challenges that even the broader Sikh world may not fully understand. The book delves into the psychosocial issues the community endures, covering daily life, cultural rituals, economic struggles, educational challenges, and the impact of living in a conflict zone. Bali’s research shows that Kashmiri Sikhs confront significant mental and psychological strain, as well as economic and educational setbacks, as a result of their minority status and the region’s instability.
Bali’s respectful and eloquent writing avoids sensationalism, choosing instead a grounded, dignified approach that captures the community’s perseverance. At the same time, he does not shy away from exposing the harsh realities of life in Kashmir, where the Sikhs face alienation, targeted violence, and the constant threat of forced migration. These accounts reveal the complexities of survival for a minority community trying to preserve its heritage while navigating the challenges of a society divided by violence.
Identity and the Question of Belonging
At the heart of Those Who Stayed lies a central question: Do the Sikhs of Kashmir have a future in their homeland, or should they consider relocating for the chance at a safer, more stable life? This inquiry becomes especially pressing in Bali’s examination of the targeted killings in 2021 and 2022, which prompted an existential crisis within the community. These recent events force readers to consider what it means for a community to stay rooted in a land that has grown increasingly hostile to their presence.
Bali skillfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and rootedness, portraying the internal conflict that Kashmiri Sikhs experience between loyalty to their homeland and the desire for a secure future. This exploration of identity offers insight into the toll that displacement, both physical and emotional, takes on individuals. For those unfamiliar with the impact of the Kashmir conflict on minority communities, Bali’s work is an eye-opening account of the resilience required to survive and maintain a sense of identity under such conditions.
A Call to Recognize Kashmiri Sikhs’ Struggle
The book is both a tribute to the Sikh community of Kashmir and a call to action. Bali urges readers, particularly within the Sikh community, to recognize and honor the Kashmiri Sikhs’ unique experiences and contributions. November is traditionally a month of remembrance for Sikhs due to the 1984 genocide, but Bali argues that it should also commemorate the 33,000 Sikhs who perished in the 1947 invasion of Kashmir, another tragedy too often overshadowed.
Conclusion
Those Who Stayed: The Sikhs of Kashmir is a deeply empathetic and informative work that shines a light on a community that has been neglected in the broader discourse surrounding Kashmir. Bali’s writing is both respectful and unflinchingly honest, allowing readers to understand the enduring courage of Kashmiri Sikhs and the strength it takes to stay rooted amid adversity. This book is an essential contribution to contemporary South Asian literature and a must-read for anyone interested in the resilience of marginalized communities in conflict zones. Through his documentation of these powerful stories, Bupinder Singh Bali offers readers a profound understanding of the costs and commitments that come with choosing to stay in a place called home.
Indupriya B,
Lecturer, O.P Jindal University.
The Book is available worldwide through amazon.com, bookshop.org and other major booksellers.