Forgotten Homelands: Memory and Displacement of Kashmiri Pandits and Sindhi Hindus

Abstract

This paper investigates public awareness, perceptions and lived experiences of two displaced and underrepresented South Asian communities: the Kashmiri Pandits and the Sindhi Hindus. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative and qualitative survey data from approximately hundred respondents of South Asian ancestry with in-depth interviews with members of both communities. The survey aims to assess familiarity, emotional response, and perceptions of government support of the wider South Asian community. Additionally, the interviews examine how displaced individuals have preserved their identity. The main broader finding of the study reveals that the Kashmiri Pandit exodus receives significantly more public recognition in comparison to the Sindhi Migration. This disparity is shaped by the contemporary political relevance and media intention in the case of the Kashmiri Pandits versus the relative invisibility of the Sinshi experience. Furthermore,this is attributed to the perceived economic integration. The interview insights corroborate the role of community agency in shaping resilience and cultural identity in the aftermath of displacement. The study hopes to contribute to broader discussions on collective memory, historical justice, and the politics of representation. Overall, this highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to understanding and supporting displaced groups.