The recent Pahalgam tragedy, where terrorists brutally killed 28 innocent tourists, has left Kashmir reeling, its ethos of hospitality shattered. Yet, the aftermath has unleashed another crisis: the deportation of women—many married to Indian or Pakistani citizens, with children—torn from their homes in both nations. These women, often seen as mere collateral in geopolitical tensions, face a humanitarian tragedy that demands urgent attention.
In Kashmiri culture, a bride’s home is her husband’s hearth. Yet, women married across borders, now labeled as “outsiders,” are being uprooted. Those with young children struggle to provide stability amid uncertainty, while those with grown children face distrust, their loyalties questioned. Deportation strips them of agency, rendering their marital bonds and familial ties irrelevant. The trauma of displacement, coupled with societal stigma, leaves them vulnerable, their dreams of a secure family life shattered.
The terrorists who struck Pahalgam aimed to terrorize, and their actions have rippled beyond the immediate victims, sowing division and fear. But punishing innocent women for the sins of geopolitics or militancy is neither just nor humane. These women, many of whom are citizens by marriage or long-term residency, deserve compassion, not exile. Their children, born and raised in these lands, should not bear the burden of bureaucratic rigidity.
India and Pakistan, as nations with rich traditions of empathy, must rise above political posturing. Policymakers on both sides have the tools to craft a humane solution. A policy grounded in humanitarian principles—prioritizing women and children—could include special residency provisions, case-by-case evaluations, and family reunification measures. Such an approach would not only avert a human tragedy but also reinforce the values of justice and unity that both nations cherish.
Kashmir’s heart aches for its lost guests and its displaced daughters. Let us not allow terror to dictate our humanity. By embracing these women as our own, we can heal wounds, rebuild trust, and show the world that compassion triumphs over division.
