The Kashmir Files

A teacher and patriarch who fears for his son’s safety as militants target Pandits. He advocates for protection, navigates political pressure, and preserves family memory as a driving force behind the quest for truth. His actions underscore the burdens borne by caregivers in conflict zones.

Pushkar’s son who is falsely accused of being an Indian spy and is killed by militants. His death becomes a catalyst for the Pandit exodus and a touchstone for later generations seeking justice. He embodies the human cost of political turmoil.

A civil servant who becomes an advisor to the Governor and struggles to address the crisis. His efforts to secure protection and spotlight the plight of Pandits reflect the official response to ethnic violence. He embodies the tension between governance and compassion.

Pushkar’s daughter-in-law who endures brutal violence at the hands of militants and ultimately dies in the struggle for her family’s safety. Her suffering highlights the targeted brutality faced by women in the conflict. Her memory becomes a driving force in Krishna’s later investigations.

Militant commander and former student of Pushkar who orchestrates massacres while adopting a rhetoric of non-violence in later years. He embodies the moral complexity and the seductive power of extremist movements. His actions drive the central act of violence that fuels the story.

A journalist who helps refugee Pandits and guides them to safety. His role underscores the power and risk of journalism in conflict zones. He acts as a bridge between the refugees and the wider public who learns of their plight.

A professor who supports Kashmiri separatist perspectives and influences Krishna’s political awakening. Her character explores how academia can shape or distort public opinion during times of crisis. She becomes a controversial mentor figure for Krishna.

Pushkar’s younger son, raised under a veil of trauma, becomes a university student in 2020. He investigates his family’s past, confronts conflicting narratives, and delivers a speech that challenges official and public narratives about Kashmir. His journey embodies the struggle to synthesize memory with present action.

A police officer who had served in Kashmir during the time of Karan’s death. He represents the law enforcement perspective and the complexities of maintaining order amid ethnic strife. His presence anchors the 1989–1990 timeline within the security apparatus.

A doctor and Pushkar’s ally who pleads for medical aid during the hospital siege. He embodies humanitarian instinct in the face of systemic collapse. His efforts illustrate the limits of medical neutrality under occupation or occupation-like conditions.