Rohini Vaishnavi
( Based on “The Chronicles of Kashmir- Biography of Sh. Amarnath Vaishnavi , a book by Balkrishan Sanyasi)
In 1962, amidst the turbulent socio-political landscape of Kashmir, the Vivekananda Society was established in Srinagar to protect the cultural and social interests of Kashmiri Hindus. It was Founded by Amarnath Vaishnavi , Amarnath Ganjoo, Heera Lal Chatta, Tika Lal Taploo, Pushkar Nath Karneil, Durga Prashad Koul, and Madan Lal Khushu. The organization played a crucial role in 1963 “Moie Muqaddas crisis, during the 1962 and 1965 wars with China and Pakistan respectively and spearheaded cultural revival efforts, supporting Hindu resilience in remote areas. By the 1970s, the Society merged with the RSS, when Amarnath Vaishnavi took over as the chief of RSS in Kashmir. The society had foreseen the communal unrest, which culminated in the mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in 1990.Pandit Vaishnavi himself warned then Prime minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi about rising fundamentalism.
The organization attracted leading intellectuals and activists. Among them were Prem Nath Bhat, a prominent advocate from Anantnag, and Harjilal Jad, along with a number of dedicated RSS workers (as noted in The Chronicles of Kashmir by Balkrishan Sanyasi). Their mission was clear—to fortify Kashmiri Pandits as a minority community, ensuring their cultural and religious resilience while promoting social harmony.
Crisis and Communal Harmony: The 1963 “Moie Muqaddas Incident”
The Vivekananda Society’s defining moment came in 1963, during the tenure of Chief Minister Shamsuddin, when the Moie Muqaddas (Holy Relic) was stolen from the Hazratbal Shrine. The shocking news ignited protests across Kashmir, with people flooding the streets in grief. Tensions soared as the sacred relic, revered by Kashmiri Muslims since its arrival in the 18th century, remained missing.
In this volatile situation, the Vivekananda Society played a dual role—expressing solidarity with the Muslim community while also ensuring the safety of Hindus, fearing the unrest could escalate into communal violence. Society members actively engaged in peacekeeping efforts such as providing drinking water to protestors, assisting both communities affected by the closure of markets , extending support to the grieving Muslim community and providing logistical aid.
Through these efforts, the Vivekananda Society became a beacon of communal harmony, ensuring that the protest did not spiral into violence. Eventually, in January 1964, B.N. Malick, Head of the Intelligence Bureau, and Shri Laxman Das Thakur, Inspector General of Police, successfully recovered the relic, easing tensions in the valley.
Aiding the Nation: The 1962 and 1965 Wars
The 1962 war with China further demonstrated the Society’s commitment to national service. With Indian forces facing severe hardships due to the harsh winter, Shri Amarnath Ganjoo and Shri Amarnath Vaishnavi mobilized RSS volunteers, organizing relief efforts to supply essential resources to the struggling troops.
Similarly, in 1965, following Pakistan’s infiltration attempts, the Society intensified vigilance across Kashmir, gathering intelligence on anti-national activities and suspicious elements attempting to destabilize the region. Their proactive measures became even more critical in the years that followed.
Pandit Amarnath Vaishnavi: A Journey of Social Unity and Courage
Pandit Amarnath Vaishnavi’s mission to strengthen Kashmiri Pandits continued as he was posted as a teacher in Handwara until 1966. As an inter-district school activities in charge, he gained widespread recognition and respect, not only among students but among general masses across the Kupwara and Baramulla districts.
Through the Vivekananda Society, he met Niranjan Nath Kaul, Mohan Lal Sopory, Shibanjee Thathoo, and Dr. Lidhoo, who strengthened the efforts to unite the Hindu minority and encourage them to reclaim their cultural identity. Under his leadership:
- Hindu festivals, once subdued due to fear, were celebrated with renewed enthusiasm.
- The Society distributed photos and booklets of Swami Vivekananda to every Hindu household, spreading his message of strength and unity.
- Seer Jagir became the Society’s headquarters, conducting regular events to uplift the community.
Pandit Amarnath Vaishnavi embarked on a mission to restore confidence among Kashmiri Pandits. He travelled solo, sometimes on foot and by bicycle , to reach remote villages in North Kashmir. The Pandit community had already suffered tremendous blows to its confidence since 1947, which worsened after 1950 due to political decisions such as the “Land to the Tillers” reform and government jobs being distributed based on population proportion in Jammu & Kashmir State.
His solo travels took him deep into the northern villages of Kashmir, where he witnessed firsthand the fear-stricken existence of Kashmiri Pandits. On one such journey in Kupwara, he encountered a Hindu family living in a house painted green—a desperate measure to blend in for survival. They even kept Muslim attire to wear during moments of heightened danger, a grim reminder of the terror they had endured since the Kabayali (raider) attacks of 1947.
In 1965, a fresh wave of fear gripped Chakinandram in Pattan, an isolated Brahmin-Rajput settlement. Understanding their plight, Pandit Vaishnavi mobilized the army to conduct a flag march, restoring a sense of security among the beleaguered minority.
Amarnath Vaishnavi declared chief of RSS
By the 1970s, the Vivekananda Society officially merged with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), bolstering Hindu resilience and patriotism in Kashmir. In 1971, Pandit Vaishnavi was appointed as the chief of RSS in the valley.
Despite his strong advocacy for Hindu rights, Pandit Vaishnavi remained deeply secular. In 1964, he directed his Srinagar-based family to accommodate Shri Khazar Mohammad, a Muslim student from Handwara. A devout practitioner, Khazar needed space for Namaz and separate meal preparations. Without hesitation, Vaishnavi’s family welcomed him and accommodated him in Pandit Vaishnavi’s room, leading to the remarkable sight of daily Pooja and Namaz under the same roof—a testament to his inclusive and humanitarian ideals.
1986 Communal Crisis
During the 1986 communal unrest, Pandit Vaishnavi foresaw the brewing storm. He recounted, “The Hindu youth of the Vivekananda Society were trained to patrol villages, towns, and cities, keeping a close watch on suspicious movements and anti-national activities.” Their vigilance became imperative after the 1965 war, when Pakistan intensified efforts to destabilize Kashmir.
Meeting Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi
As early as 1968, the Society had detected the rise of fundamentalist groups preparing for an armed struggle against India. Their findings were later confirmed in the late 1980s as the Operation TOPAC, orchestrated by Pakistan Army Chief Zia-ul-Haq to fuel insurgency in Kashmir. Recognizing the looming threat, Vaishnavi personally alerted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, warning her of the impending subversion.
In May 1973, Vaishnavi led a delegation of trustees to meet Indira Gandhi, raising concerns about the safety of Kashmiri Pandits. However, her response was dismissive: “Hindus of Kashmir must consider themselves as big brothers to Kashmiri Muslims and should be courteous to them.”
A Legacy of Resilience
From its founding in 1962, the Vivekananda Society stood as a bastion of strength for Kashmiri Pandits, upholding their identity, safety, and cultural pride. Despite being a religious minority in a volatile region, the Society—led by the visionary Pandit Amarnath Vaishnavi and his dedicated colleagues—ensured that fear never eclipsed faith, and oppression never crushed resilience. Their tireless efforts shielded a community on the brink, leaving behind an enduring legacy of courage, unity, and unwavering devotion to Kashmir and India.
Amarnath Vaishnavi Foundation 