“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another”
(Charles Dickens)
Indisputably, the life of non-Kashmiris has always been prosperous in this piece of heaven on earth. Notwithstanding, there have been multiple ups & downs in the habitat status of non-locals in Kashmir over the passing decades, especially post-90s. If we talk about the phase between post-independence and pre-90s, the valley used to celebrate a diversified culture in which all the communities, be it locals or non-Kashmiris including Pandits, Sikh businessmen and many others migrated to Kashmir to earn a livelihood were enjoying their peaceful and fortunate life. There have been parallel contributions of non-Kashmiris in the development of the valley in all sectors be it public or private. In fact, if we look into history, Kashmir has always welcomed different communities with the passage of successful contributions by them in making the valley equivalent to heaven and accepted them as Kashmiris, not outsiders. However, with the prevailing terrorism, there have been constant instabilities with non-locals, especially post-90s, instead, that was the case with the whole of Kashmir, not just with the outsiders.
During the period between the year 1990 and year 2018, till the abrogation of Article 370, the valley has witnessed many disasters related to its citizens be they locals or non-Kashmiris. Their exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, mass killings of non-locals, and torture of Kashmiri families by terrorists in the name of religion and disoriented ideologies fed by our adversaries in the west. This period has undoubtedly handicapped the development of Kashmir in totality since all sectors of construction, tourism or small/large scale businesses have faced major setbacks due to mass migration of non-Kashmiris because of deprived safety and security issues. The migration of the Sikh community from Kashmir has dragged the market value and tourism to the lowest possible level since the majority of markets and businesses including tourism used to have a major contribution from this class. This period was indeed the darkest phase that Kashmir has ever witnessed, which started to fade only after the abrogation of Article 370.
As a matter of fact, the valley began to feel the change in the status of non-Kashmiris at the end of the first decade of the 21st century. I was lucky enough to be part of changing story in Kashmir immediately after the abrogation of Article 370 and witnessed a significant change in the thought process of both Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris. There has been a remarkable increase in the number of non-locals coming to Kashmir for their livelihoods. The trust among locals and non-locals has also strengthened and a sense of security has also been imbibed in outsiders by the people of the valley which includes local administration and security forces as well. Today, the non-Kashmiris have again extended helping hands to locals in almost all sectors be it construction at the village/household level, agriculture, businesses, and tourism. During frequent checks, I have met many non-local individuals who are selling household items and are being welcomed by the locals open-heartedly.
After almost three years of posting in Kashmir and observing the non-Kashmiris closely, I can say with conviction that non-locals are not here with the mindset to change the demography of the state, instead, they are here just to offer to help hands and return earn some money. Even then, there are certain radicalised individuals influenced by the demagogue of the societies who are targeting non-locals and ultimately trying to destroy the hard work done by the society, the government, and security forces who are trying to unite Kashmir again with a diversified culture. The environment has already accepted the contribution of non-locals to make their life more comfortable and easy. As per many villagers, the non-locals are doing some specialised labor work which includes manufacturing bricks at a household level, better mason work, manufacturing blankets/ quilts at the village level, door-to-door cobbler facility, etc.
The life of non-Kashmiris has again been brought on the right track with the contribution of the local populace, civil administration, and undoubtedly the hard & honest work of non-locals. The government has also taken a few initiatives for non-local laborers including the making of Labour cards for outsiders, to fasten the police verification process. Within no time frame, the valley will again witness the brighter era of brotherhood and companionship which will definitely lead Kashmir to its original form i.e. A Heaven on Earth, and this question of “Life of non-Kashmiri in Kashmir” will just be a statement.
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