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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title           = 1986 Kashmir Riots/1986 Anantnag Riots
| title = 1986 Kashmir Riots/1986 Anantnag Riots
| partof           = the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]
| partof = the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]
| image           = Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh.svg
| image = Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh.svg
| caption         = Map showing [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] within the larger [[Kashmir]] region, with the [[Kashmir Valley]] highlighted in green
| caption = Map showing [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] within the larger [[Kashmir]] region, with the [[Kashmir Valley]] highlighted in green
| date             = February 1986 – March 1986<ref name="Bill Koul 2020">{{cite book |last=Koul |first=Bill K. |author-link= |date=10 September 2020 |title=The Exiled Pandits of Kashmir Will They Ever Return Home? |url=https://www.google.co.nz/books/edition/The_Exiled_Pandits_of_Kashmir/CW78DwAAQBAJ |location= |publisher=Springer Singapore |page=214 |isbn=9789811565373}}</ref>
| date = February 1986 – March 1986<ref name="Bill Koul 2020">{{cite book |last=Koul |first=Bill K. |author-link= |date=10 September 2020 |title=The Exiled Pandits of Kashmir Will They Ever Return Home? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CW78DwAAQBAJ |location= |publisher=Springer Singapore |page=214 |isbn=9789811565373}}</ref>
| location         = [[Anantnag district|Anantnag]], [[Kashmir Valley|Kashmir]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|J&K]], [[India]]
| location = [[Anantnag district|Anantnag]], [[Kashmir Valley|Kashmir]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|J&K]], [[India]]
| coordinates     = {{coord|34.0333|N|74.6667|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|34.0333|N|74.6667|E|display=inline,title}}
| motive          = [[Islamisation]], secession from [[India]], [[anti-Hindu sentiment|Hinduphobia]], imposition of [[Sharia law]]<ref name="cali">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zRZBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA78 |title=Religion and Security in South and Central Asia |date=2010 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136890192 |editor-last=Warikoo |editor-first=K. |page=78}}</ref>
| target = [[Kashmiri Hindus]]
| target          = [[Kashmiri Hindus]]
[[Hindus]]
| type             = [[Arson]], riots, vandalism, looting<ref name="Tikoo">{{cite book|author=Tikoo|first=Colonel Tej K|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iuURFTHTU0EC&pg=PT397|title=Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|year=2013|isbn=978-1-935501-58-9|pages=397–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2006">{{citation|last=Aiyar|first=Mani Shankar|title=Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7Fsq8rBUtkC&pg=PA148|pages=148–|year=2006|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-306205-9|author-link=Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>
| type = [[Arson]], riots, vandalism, looting<ref name="Tikoo">{{cite book|author=Tikoo|first=Colonel Tej K|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iuURFTHTU0EC&pg=PT397|title=Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|year=2013|isbn=978-1-935501-58-9|pages=397–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2006">{{citation|last=Aiyar|first=Mani Shankar|title=Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7Fsq8rBUtkC&pg=PA148|pages=148–|year=2006|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-306205-9|author-link=Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>
| perps           = [[Islamic terrorism|Islamist militants]], Islamist sympathisers
| perps = [[Kashmiri Muslims]]
| fatalities       = 0
| fatalities = Unknown
}}
}}


{{Violence against Hindus in independent India}}


The '''1986 Kashmir Riots''', also commonly referred to as the '''1986 Anantnag Riots''', were a series of attacks targeting [[Kashmiri Hindus]] in the [[Kashmir division|Kashmir region]] of the then [[Indian state]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], particularly in [[Anantnag district]].<ref name="Indian Express 2020">{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/exodus-of-kashmiri-pandits-from-valley-6232410/ |title=Explained: The Kashmir Pandit tragedy |website=The Indian Express |date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220307115414/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/exodus-of-kashmiri-pandits-from-valley-6232410/ |archive-date=7 March 2022 }}</ref>
The '''1986 Kashmir Riots''', also commonly referred to as the '''1986 Anantnag Riots''', were a series of attacks targeting [[Kashmiri Hindus]] in the [[Kashmir Valley]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]], particularly in [[Anantnag district]].<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008" />


== Background ==
== Background ==
The JK Land Estates Abolition Act of 1950 allowed the govt to unilaterally confiscate private land owned by landlords, which adversely affected thousands of Kashmiri Hindus overnight. This also led to some Kashmiri Hindus leaving the state.<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008">{{cite book |last=Pandit |first=Bansi |author-link= |date=2008 |title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits |url=https://www.google.co.nz/books/edition/Explore_Kashmiri_Pandits/zsoC6GWr47QC |location= |publisher=Dharma Publications |page=48-49 |isbn=9780963479860}}</ref>
The JK Land Estates Abolition Act of 1950 allowed the govt to unilaterally confiscate private land owned by landlords, which adversely affected thousands of Kashmiri Hindus overnight. This also led to some Kashmiri Hindus leaving the state.<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008">{{cite book |last=Pandit |first=Bansi |author-link= |date=2008 |title=Explore Kashmiri Pandits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsoC6GWr47QC |location= |publisher=Dharma Publications |page=48-49 |isbn=9780963479860}}</ref>


In 1982, [[Sheikh Abdullah]] died, with his son [[Farooq Abdullah]] taking over soon after. Despite winning the 1983 election, Farooq was replaced by [[Ghulam Mohammad Shah]], also known as Gul Shah. In Anantnag [[Mufti Mohammad Sayeed]], who later founded the PDP, was the elected representative at the time.<ref name="Indian Express 2020" />
In 1982, [[Sheikh Abdullah]] died, with his son [[Farooq Abdullah]] taking over soon after. Despite winning the 1983 election, Farooq was replaced by [[Ghulam Mohammad Shah]], also known as Gul Shah. In Anantnag [[Mufti Mohammad Sayeed]], who later founded the PDP, was the elected representative at the time.<ref name="Indian Express 2020">{{cite web |date=January 24, 2020 |title=Explained: The Kashmir Pandit tragedy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/exodus-of-kashmiri-pandits-from-valley-6232410/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220307115414/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/exodus-of-kashmiri-pandits-from-valley-6232410/ |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>


In early 1986, [[Gul Shah]] announced the construction of a masjid inside the location of an ancient Hindu Temple in the Jammu Civil Secretariat. This move sparked widespread criticism and protests in Jammu. In February, Gul Shah then went to Kashmir and provocatively said, ''"Islam khatre mein hain"'' (Translation: "Islam is in danger"). These incendiary statements by Gul Shah are believed to have been partially to blame for the breaking out of riots.<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Verma |first1=P. S. |title=Jammu and Kashmir at the Political Crossroads |date=1994 |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |isbn=9780706976205 |page=214 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sl5uAAAAMAAJ }}</ref>
In early 1986, [[Gul Shah]] announced the construction of a [[mosque]] inside the location of an ancient Hindu Temple in the Jammu Civil Secretariat. This move sparked widespread criticism and protests in Jammu. In February, Gul Shah then went to Kashmir and provocatively said, ''"Islam khatre mein hain"'' (Translation: "[[Islam]] is in danger"). Subsequently, Muslim rioters attacked Hindu-owned businesses and places of worship.<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008"/> The resulting death toll was allegedly 2000 people.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Verma |first1=P. S. |title=Jammu and Kashmir at the Political Crossroads |date=1994 |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |isbn=9780706976205 |page=214 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sl5uAAAAMAAJ }}</ref>


== Rioting ==
== Rioting ==
After the Indian government allowed the [[Babri Masjid]] (the location of the present [[Ram Mandir]], believed to be the birthplace of Bhagwan [[Rama]]) to be opened for Hindu Worship, protests erupted. 8 cities in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] had curfews in place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/7aace3ff6f33b7ee0fd67aa2cc54b66a |title=Hindu-Moslem riots reported in Kashmir, Calcutta |website=AP News |date=February 22, 1986 |access-date=March 7, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006081342/https://apnews.com/article/7aace3ff6f33b7ee0fd67aa2cc54b66a |archive-date=6 October 2020 }}</ref>  Hindu Temples were burned down and destroyed in towns including Vanpoh, [[Anantnag]], [[Sopore]], [[Luk Bawan]], Salar (Pahalgam Tehsil), Fatehpur, [[Akura, India|Akura]] etc.<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008" /><ref name="Tikoo">{{cite book|author=Tikoo|first=Colonel Tej K|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iuURFTHTU0EC&pg=PT397|title=Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|year=2013|isbn=978-1-935501-58-9|pages=397–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2006">{{citation|last=Aiyar|first=Mani Shankar|title=Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7Fsq8rBUtkC&pg=PA148|pages=148–|year=2006|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-306205-9|author-link=Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>
After the Indian government allowed the [[Babri Masjid]] (the location of the present [[Ram Mandir]], the temple believed to be the birthplace of the deity [[Rama]]) to be opened for Hindu worship, protests erupted. 8 cities in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] had curfews in place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/7aace3ff6f33b7ee0fd67aa2cc54b66a |title=Hindu-Moslem riots reported in Kashmir, Calcutta |website=AP News |date=February 22, 1986 |access-date=March 7, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006081342/https://apnews.com/article/7aace3ff6f33b7ee0fd67aa2cc54b66a |archive-date=6 October 2020 }}</ref>  Hindu temples were burned down and destroyed in towns including Vanpoh, [[Anantnag]], [[Sopore]], [[Luk Bawan]], Salar (Pahalgam Tehsil), Fatehpur, and [[Akura, India|Akura]].<ref name="Bansi Pandit 2008" /><ref name="Tikoo">{{cite book|author=Tikoo|first=Colonel Tej K|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iuURFTHTU0EC&pg=PT397|title=Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus|publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC|year=2013|isbn=978-1-935501-58-9|pages=397–}}</ref><ref name="Aiyar2006">{{citation|last=Aiyar|first=Mani Shankar|title=Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7Fsq8rBUtkC&pg=PA148|pages=148–|year=2006|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-306205-9|author-link=Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>


Anantnag, which saw much of the violence, had multiple attacks on [[Hindu Temple]]s. Many Kashmiri Hindu owned shops, homes and properties were attacked and targeted.<ref name="Indian Express 2020" /> These developments led to a large number of [[Kashmiri Hindus]] shifting to places including [[Udhampur]] and [[Jammu]]. Thus the "first wave of exodus" of Kashmiri Hindus was in [[Anantnag district]].{{cn|date=March 2022}}
Anantnag, which saw much of the violence, had multiple attacks on [[Hindu Temple|Hindu temple]]s. Many Kashmiri Hindu-owned shops, homes and properties were attacked and targeted.<ref name="Indian Express 2020" /> These developments led to a large number of [[Kashmiri Hindus]] shifting to places including [[Udhampur]] and [[Jammu]].


== See also ==
== See also ==
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{{Religious persecution}}
{{Religious persecution}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1986 Kashmir Riots}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kashmir riots, 1986}}
 
[[Category:1986 riots]]
{{#seo:
[[Category:Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]
|keywords=Anti-Hindu violence, Anti-Hindu sentiment, History of Hinduism, Persecution of Hindus, Persecution by Muslims, Kashmiri Hindus, Hinduism-related controversies, Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir, Internal migration, Kashmir conflict, 1980s in Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri nationalism
[[Category:Looting in India]]
|description=
[[Category:Persecution of Hindus by Muslims]]
}}
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Jammu and Kashmir|1986]]
 
[[Category:Arson in 1986]]
[[Category:Anti-Hindu violence]]
[[Category:1980s fires in Asia]]
[[Category:Anti-Hindu sentiment]]
[[Category:Arson in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:History of Hinduism]]
[[Category:Persecution of Hindus]]
[[Category:Persecution by Muslims]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Hindus]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Internal migration]]
[[Category:Internal migration]]
[[Category:Kashmir conflict]]
[[Category:1980s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:1980s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Kashmiri nationalism]]
[[Category:Kashmiri nationalism]]
[[Category:Attacks on Hindu temples in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1986]]
[[Category:Religious building and structure arson fires in India]]
[[Category:Hindu temple arson]]

Latest revision as of 00:41, 21 February 2026


1986 Kashmir Riots/1986 Anantnag Riots
Part of the Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
Map showing Indian-administered Kashmir within the larger Kashmir region, with the Kashmir Valley highlighted in green
LocationAnantnag, Kashmir, J&K, India
Coordinates34°02′00″N 74°40′00″E / 34.0333°N 74.6667°E / 34.0333; 74.6667
DateFebruary 1986 – March 1986[1]
TargetKashmiri Hindus Hindus
Attack type
Arson, riots, vandalism, looting[2][3]
DeathsUnknown
PerpetratorsKashmiri Muslims


The 1986 Kashmir Riots, also commonly referred to as the 1986 Anantnag Riots, were a series of attacks targeting Kashmiri Hindus in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India, particularly in Anantnag district.[4]

Background[edit | edit source]

The JK Land Estates Abolition Act of 1950 allowed the govt to unilaterally confiscate private land owned by landlords, which adversely affected thousands of Kashmiri Hindus overnight. This also led to some Kashmiri Hindus leaving the state.[4]

In 1982, Sheikh Abdullah died, with his son Farooq Abdullah taking over soon after. Despite winning the 1983 election, Farooq was replaced by Ghulam Mohammad Shah, also known as Gul Shah. In Anantnag Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who later founded the PDP, was the elected representative at the time.[5]

In early 1986, Gul Shah announced the construction of a mosque inside the location of an ancient Hindu Temple in the Jammu Civil Secretariat. This move sparked widespread criticism and protests in Jammu. In February, Gul Shah then went to Kashmir and provocatively said, "Islam khatre mein hain" (Translation: "Islam is in danger"). Subsequently, Muslim rioters attacked Hindu-owned businesses and places of worship.[4] The resulting death toll was allegedly 2000 people.[6]

Rioting[edit | edit source]

After the Indian government allowed the Babri Masjid (the location of the present Ram Mandir, the temple believed to be the birthplace of the deity Rama) to be opened for Hindu worship, protests erupted. 8 cities in Jammu and Kashmir had curfews in place.[7] Hindu temples were burned down and destroyed in towns including Vanpoh, Anantnag, Sopore, Luk Bawan, Salar (Pahalgam Tehsil), Fatehpur, and Akura.[4][2][3]

Anantnag, which saw much of the violence, had multiple attacks on Hindu temples. Many Kashmiri Hindu-owned shops, homes and properties were attacked and targeted.[5] These developments led to a large number of Kashmiri Hindus shifting to places including Udhampur and Jammu.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Koul, Bill K. (10 September 2020). The Exiled Pandits of Kashmir Will They Ever Return Home?. Springer Singapore. p. 214. ISBN 9789811565373.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Tikoo, Colonel Tej K (2013). Kashmir: Its Aborigines and Their Exodus. Lancer Publishers LLC. pp. 397–. ISBN 978-1-935501-58-9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Aiyar, Mani Shankar (2006), Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist, Penguin Books India, pp. 148–, ISBN 978-0-14-306205-9
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pandit, Bansi (2008). Explore Kashmiri Pandits. Dharma Publications. p. 48-49. ISBN 9780963479860.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Explained: The Kashmir Pandit tragedy". The Indian Express. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. Verma, P. S. (1994). Jammu and Kashmir at the Political Crossroads. Vikas Publishing House. p. 214. ISBN 9780706976205.
  7. "Hindu-Moslem riots reported in Kashmir, Calcutta". AP News. 22 February 1986. Retrieved 7 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)