Mitti Niseeb Di is a Pahari Panjabi feature film that tells the untold story of the Kashmiri Sikh community, exploring their deep-rooted love for their homeland and the challenges they face. The narrative centers on Kartar Singh, an elderly man who is emotionally attached to Kashmir despite the turmoil of the past three decades, including the migration of Kashmiri Pandits and the tragic massacres of Sikhs in Chattisinghpora and Mehjoor Nagar. While many Sikhs now live between Jammu and Kashmir seeking stability, Kartar is adamant about staying in Kashmir even as his son Satbir wants to move to Jammu. The film delves into themes of identity, survival, and the meaning of home, featuring an ensemble of talented local actors who bring authenticity to the story. Written, directed, and produced by filmmaker Balbir Sahni, Mitti Naseeb Di sheds light on the often overlooked Kashmiri Sikh community, which comprises just 0.88% of the population. The Sikh community in Kashmir, with over 500 years of history in the valley, continues to face a ‘silent exodus’ due to targeted killings, ongoing violence and economic constraints. On 7 Oct 2021, school principal Supinder Kour, a Sikh, and her colleague Deepak Chand, a Hindu, were shot dead by ‘militants’. Recent data shows a decline in the Sikh population; in 2023, 311 Sikh students appeared for the Class 12 state board exams, dropping to 246 this year. School teacher Bupinder Singh Bali, from Kashmir, recently documented the communities ordeals in a new bookThose Who Stayed (SDW Vol 2, Issue 31, Story 10).
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