A Discussion on 'Our Moon Has Blood Clots: The Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits'

The Discussion Map charts important debates from the pages of E​PW.

Rahul Pandita’s memoir, Our Moon Has Blood Clots: The Exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits, recounts the author’s experience of having to leave his home in Kashmir in 1990, owing to a fear of persecution by the growing insurgency movement in the Valley.

Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal reviews Pandita’s book, and questions if events mentioned by Pandita actually happened in the manner described. She also criticises Pandita for selectively choosing historical instances to suit a particular narrative. Pandita responds to Jamwal’s review, and accuses her of neglecting the nature of the violence towards Kashmiri Pandits. Pandita also censures Jamwal for refusing to see the plight of the Pandits as a part of a larger ethnic cleansing process.

Sualeh Keen responds to Jamwal and Pandita, writing that as long as the crimes committed against Pandits are not acknowledged and apologised for, the “character” of a Muslim–majority Kashmir will remain under suspicion. Bashir Manzar adds to the discussion, writing that while the migration of Pandits is undeniable, the suffering of Kashmiri Muslims at the hands of extremists has been largely overlooked.

Gowhar Geelani responds to the above articles, arguing that selective memory on both sides of the debate has resulted in the truth being neglected, which is imperative for any hope of reconciliation. Sadaf Munshi also writes  that a reconciliation may not be viable in the absence of a political resolution of the Kashmir issue.