In a solemn effort to bring to light the horrific tragedy faced by Kashmiri Hindus, the Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) organized a complimentary screening of The Kashmir Files on March 13th, 2022, at York Cinemas in Richmond Hill. This event, held from 3:30 PM onwards, aimed to spread awareness about the brutal and devastating exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s at the hands of Islamic militants. The film, deeply rooted in real-life testimonies, serves as a poignant reminder of a chapter in history that has been systematically silenced for political expediency.
The Kashmir Files is more than just a film; it is a narrative of survival, loss, and the haunting reality of the Kashmiri Hindu community who, for over three decades, have lived as refugees in their own country. Based on the harrowing accounts of survivors, the movie argues that what happened in Kashmir was not merely an exodus, but a barbaric genocide—a genocide that the world continues to overlook.
On the night of January 19, 1990, the voices that reverberated from mosques across the Kashmir Valley were not calls for liberation. Instead, they were ominous warnings designed to instill fear so intense that Hindus would flee their homes, never to return. The following day, the ethnic cleansing of Hindus began. Organized terrorist groups such as Hizbul-Mujahideen and JKLF, linked to global terror organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, launched a systematic campaign of terror, assassinating and intimidating the Kashmiri Hindu population. They were given three options: convert to Islam, leave, or give up their lives. The Hindus of Kashmir were left in utter despair, with no protection and no place to turn to for help.
Imagine the fear, the desperation, the hopelessness that gripped the Kashmiri Hindus on that dreadful day. As they made frantic calls to ministers, police officers, and even the Union home secretary, the world around them continued to ignore their plight.
Despite the tragic scale of this event, the Kashmiri Hindu Exodus remains one of the least recognized genocides in modern history. The community has endured seven waves of forced departure from their homeland, with over a million displaced and living as refugees across the globe. Yet, this brutal chapter has largely been ignored by world leaders and mainstream media alike.
Hindu Forum Canada remains committed to bringing this dark period of history to the forefront. We are deeply grateful to Mr. Bob Saroya for his letter acknowledging these tragic facts and for his support in exposing the truth. His courage to stand with the Kashmiri Hindu community is commendable, and we hope it will inspire other politicians to follow suit. Their support is crucial in our ongoing efforts to have these acts of genocide recognized and to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
In these trying times, when public gatherings and protests have had to be scaled down due to medical restrictions, we call on each of you to use your platforms to spread awareness about the Kashmiri Hindu genocide. As both Hindus and Canadians, it is our duty to advocate for justice and to ensure that the voices of those who have suffered are heard.
Join us in making Hindu Forum Canada a powerful advocate for truth and justice. Stand with us, and be proud to fight for what is right. Together, we can ensure that the horrors faced by the Kashmiri Hindus are not forgotten, and that they receive the acknowledgment and justice they so rightfully deserve.
