Kashmiri Pandits still in search of Roots.
More than seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits a micro minority community of Kashmir Valley are the worst sufferers of Pakistan sponsored Terrorism and fundamentalism that not only rendered them homeless in 1990 but also snatched their movable & immovable properties worth crores as well suffered countless target killings at the hands of terrorists and anti national elements. This all was not a one day game but it was a well pre-planned strategy to target this patriotic community and make them either to convert, flee or get killed which was made possible by terrorists, Hurriyat conference, many political parties affiliated with terror outfits and anti Indian Tirade in 1989-1990 who had also their evil eye on the lands, temples, shrines and houses of Kashmiri pandits means on the movable and immovable properties.
It was very strange and unexpected that with in days this innocent and patriotic community of more than seven lakhs (now) was forced to leave their homes and hearths at gun point, threats and poster wars, fatwas etc and were driven out from their thousand years old roots in Kashmir. Soon after their forceful exodus, there was a well planned land war on their movable & immovable properties which was forcefully executed under a well thought out plan and under this plan thousands of houses, lands, temples and shrines of Kashmiri Pandits were first looted, then gutted down to ashes and those anti nationals and fundamentalist thought as if Kashmiri is getting liberated within days but all in vain.
Before migration about twenty thousand Kashmiri Pandits were working in different Government departments in Valley but soon after their forceful migration, all these posts were grabbed and filled locally by the powerful people in the then power corridors and in this way snatched these posts from this helpless community. Hence in this way an intellectual, well read and philthropist community was rendered homeless and put on roads without any source of livelihood and roof on their heads in Jammu and other parts of the country. This was Kashmiri Pandits seventh migration since their inception and are still living in search of their roots in Valley despite loosing every thing after passing more than thirty seven years of their forceful exile period outside Kashmir.
It is painful to say that the then Governent of Jammu and Kashmir and central Governent miserably failed to stop Pakistan sponsored terrorism and internal civil disobedience which resulted into mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits at large and their target killings. It is pertinent to mention here that in 1990, Terrorists, Hurriyat conference, islamic fundamentalist and anti nationals were rolling the roast due to the weak Governments both at State and Centre under their nose all this bloodshed and forceiful migration of innocent Kashmiri pandits took place.
These then Governments never took any bold step for return and rehabilitate of this community back in Valley during their tenures and even today they have no tangible road map or any plan to improve the living standard of this community which is living in pathetic conditions in migrants camps at Jagti, TRT Nagrota, Purkhoo, Buta Nagar, Muthi and non camps in Jammu & many parts of the country for last more than thirty seven years far away from their roots of Kashmir on meager monthly cash assistance of Rupees 3250/ per soul per month which is quite insufficient to maintain a normal family in this hard time when the cost of essential commodities is very hight that too needs immediate enhancement to an honourable amount.
Government initiatives for KPs :
Kashmiri Pandita after forceful migration in 1990 from Kashmir had to live in temporary tents in udhampur and Jammu in the outskirts of the city area in pathetic and deoplorable conditions with out proper basic amenities of life. Many kashmiri Pandits died due to heat stroke and snake bites in these temporary tents and the condition was quite alarming and miserable during that difficult period.
Many families went to live on rented rooms due to non availablility of cloth tents just to seek shelter and save their lives in Jammu, udhampur and other parts of the country. In 2002, insufficent flats were constructed at Jagti , Purkhoo, Buta Nagar and TRT Nagrota Jammu and these families were shifted there but the accomodation constructed was again insufficient to accomodate the entire displaced people and again countless families had to live in non camps on rented accommodations. The flats made at several places are not upto mark, sufficent and the material used for their construction was of sub standard quality and hence they too always require repair and renovation and pose great threat to inmates.
The then Government in 2008 advertised six thousand posts under Prime Minister's employment Rehabilitation package for educated migrant youths for serving in Valley but unfortunately these posts were deliberately made super-numery posts and an unnecessarily bond system was introduced by some deviated mindset people at the helm of affairs at that time so that they are unable to seek transfer out side valley as these posts are also temporary posts. This was a cruel joke played with this displaced community and grave discrimination and injustice with the PM pakcage employees working in valley despite braving all the risk to their lives that needs to be removed. These employees still face many problems in working there like on the fronts of promotion, transfer, accommodation, timely remibursement of their salaries etc.
This is a grave injustice and painful that since 2008, the population of Kashmir Pandits in exile increased and the un employment among the educated youth is on rise because after providing these six thousand temporary PM package posts, no new employment package has been advertised or created for this displaced community despite passing more fifteen years than which needs an immediate review.
It is also a big irony and highly painful that no political party of Jammu and Kashmir has ever bothered to sincerely talk about the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits back in Valley nor have seriously done any thing substantial for improving the living standards of these seven lakh internally displaced Kashmiri Pandits till date but hallow slogans and lip services has become a hood among them only just to show off their false secularism. Most of the political parties always say Kashmiryat is incomplete without kashmiri Pandits on big TV channels Just only to show off themselves as secular while in practicality, they are not bothered about this minority community and they are psuedo secular leaders.
The present NDA Government is competent enough to take some tangible steps for the welfare and upliftment of displaced Kashmiri Pandits like creation and advertisement of ten thousand permenent posts for educated KP Youth, permenent rehabilation of Kashmiri Pandits back in Valley with honour dignity to end their 7th exodus, passage of temples and shrines bill, doling out of left out compensation to gutted & damaged property, making full functional immovable migrant property act so that thousand kanals of illegally occupied migrant land is retrieved and restored to the rightful owners forthwith, re- activation of migrant grievance portal to provide speedy remedy to migrant land grievances who are running from pillar to post in kashmir for retrieval of their illegally occupied lands etc.
This community in camps in Jammu also face many day to day problems on the fronts of pure drinking water, sanitation, regular supply of electricity, repair and renovation of dilapidated quarters, etc which also needs humantarin review. This community has pinned great hopes in present despensation which is competent and dynamic enough in taking historical steps in this direction.
Role of KP leaders/Organizations :
It is very unfortunate that Kashmiri Pandits could not produce a single leader in these 36 years in exile because they neither find any body trust worthy nor want to accept any one as their leader due to trust deficet. There is a big hood among the community fellows that every body wants to become a leader without any aim and object. The mushroom growth of self styled directionless organizations with in the community in these 37 years have badly damaged the cause of the community at large as they could not bring any thing fruitful for the community. There are also many organisations who have and are playing a splendid role for the welfare of the community but they too have division in their opinions and thoughts which did not yield any positive results for the community so far due difference in opinions.
There is a one good thing for the community that several dedicated social activists still exist here who are honestly and vigorusly projecting and raising the pertinent problems of the community through print and electronic media time timely and are doing a commendable social service silently for the community that needs to acknowledged and appreciated.
It also notable to say that are several YouTube channels and radio station like The Kashmir Dialogue, janat-e- kashmir, TRN and Radio Shardha which are always doing commendable Job in their own way by highlighting & projecting the burning community issues vai debates, seminars, conferences, radio programmes and delibrations for which community needs to appreciate them for their social aptitude. There are leading News papers of J&K like Daily Excelsior, State times, Early Times and top News are always on the forefront in raising the genuine problems by highlighting them in their News papers on humantarian grounds.
It is highly suggested that the need of the hour now after passing thirty seven years is that all the kashmiri Pandit organizations must come forward under one umbrella by rising above their self interests and affiliations for sake seven lakh people who are still in search of roots in Kashmir and are eagerly waiting for their rehabilitation back in their roots in valley. Government of India must now nominate two Memebers for legislative Assembly at the earliest without further delay who can raise the voice of the community and alleviate their sufferings.
The long posts in whatsapp groups would serve no purpose or small bikkerings or mudslinging on one another has badly damaged the community and introspect with positive thinking is now the needful of the hour otherwise future generations will always mock them.
Final Thoughts :
The Kashmiri Pandit community's search for roots is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting community identity. By supporting the community's efforts to document and promote its cultural heritage, you can help to ensure the continuation of its unique cultural legacy for future generations. Preserving cultural heritage is essential for maintaining community identity and promoting cultural diversity.
The Kashmiri Pandit community's cultural heritage is an important part of India's cultural landscape, and its preservation is crucial for promoting national unity and diversity. Efforts to preserve cultural heritage can also contribute to the community's economic and social development, through tourism and cultural exchange programs.
5 Comments
Superb article. Keep it bro.God bless u
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ReplyDeleteYou are a very important intellectual class community member. Your article on Kashmiri Pandit misery is heart wrecking. Justice will prevail. Keep raising your voice.
ReplyDeleteHeart touching information
ReplyDeleteHeart touching information of kashmiri pandits
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