New Book on Sikhs in Kashmir

Those Who Stayed: The Sikhs of Kashmir by Bupinder Singh Bali explores the lives of the Sikh community in Kashmir, focusing on their historical, social, and political dimensions. Bali depicts historical events that have shaped Kashmir’s current turmoil, including the 1947 partition, the tribal invasion, and the 1989 insurgency. The narrative highlights the community’s struggles, like the Chattisinghpora Massacre, while also discussing the psychological and emotional toll of living in a conflict zone. Bali, a school teacher in Srinagar, broke down when on 8 Oct 2021 Supinder Kour, who served as a school principal, was murdered by militants. Bali knew Kour personally; the killing showed him how vulnerable he is in his profession. Decades back, he lost two uncles to militancy. His family has been perpetually shuttling between Srinagar and Jammu. Schools in Kashmir bear immense pressure from authorities and are easy targets for militants. Sikhs in Kashmir have remained non-partisan for decades. They did not have a mass exodus like Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 but are a micro-minority, for whom exodus is now due to economic compulsions and govt. and administrative apathy. Bali balances his narrative between personal anecdotes and interviews, providing a human face to the community’s plight. The book addresses overwhelming military presence and laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, critiquing their impact on human rights. Bali captures the resilience and bravery of Sikhs who chose to remain in Kashmir, offering a powerful counter-narrative to fear and victimhood.