The Kashmiri Pandits: The Forgotten Community of Kashmir Conflict
13 Feb, 2003 · 968
M Mayilvaganan looks into the plight of the Kashmirir Pandits and suggests ways to address their grievances
The plight of Kashmiri Pandits, came into the limelight with the setting up of special polling booths during the last elections to the
Jammu and Kashmir
Assembly. They also demanded their share of the package, announced by the Prime Minister earlier for
Kashmir
.
Kashmir
resulted in the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley. Many fled to safer places due to fear of persecution. Those who belonged to a more affluent social stratum 'migrated' to other nations or metropolitan cities like
Delhi
, but the majority had no option but to remain uprooted in their own land. Since then, the displaced Kashmiri Pandits has undergone great misery to protect their lives and culture. Among the displaced people, the plight of those in the camps at
Jammu
is most pitiable. Even after 12 years of displacement, nothing has changed for them. The sense of deprivation and alienation is very apparent among the Kashmiri Pandits, especially for those who are still living in camps.
Jammu and Kashmir
with the Mufti Government. The Kashmiri Pandits must be made a party to any
Kashmir
peace process and negotiations on the state's future. First, because they are 'Kashmiris' and, second, the fact that were forced into exile for all these years. No political process in the state will be complete without the participation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. But there is no present indication that the Kashmiri Pandits would be included in any discussions on resolving the question of
Kashmir
and its autonomy.
In 1987, the outbreak of militancy and violence against them in
Attempts to ensure their return have failed for many reasons. The growing self-perception of the Kashmiri Pandits as a distinct ethnic group with legitimate claims for separate territory, 'Panun Kashmir' or autonomy within the state of Kashmir, was perceived as a threat by Muslim secessionists to their goal of seeking an independent nation and the 'Islamisation of Kashmir'. The State and Central governments also lack the political will to negotiate a settlement.
The state government has only doled out a meagre cash compensation and has not made any serious attempts to rehabilitate them. The economic package from the Union Government to the State has not provided anything for the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits. Neither have any confidence building measures been initiated to facilitate their return to the valley for the past one decade.
The political parties and politicians have also failed to address their problems. They are only remembered at the time of elections in the state. The promises that are made at the time of elections are not carried out on coming to power.
The Panun Kashmir, an organization of the Kashmiri Pandits had called for boycotting the recent elections. They feel the elections held in the state so far have failed to address basic issues of the displaced Kashmir Pandits. Due to this there was a very poor turnout of the community in the State elections. Except the Habbakadal Constituency that received 895 postal ballots from the 'migrated' Kashmiri Pandits, their participation was almost negligible.
Unfortunately, the Kashmiri Pandits do not figure in the Union Government’s plans to hold negotiations on
It is the time the Government of India and the state government acknowledged that the Kashmiri Pandits are a part of the state and the problem. A few steps are suggested:
<!--[if !supportLists]--> o <!--[endif]--> The government at the State and Central level should start a process of rehabilitation and resettlement.
<!--[if !supportLists]--> o <!--[endif]--> Economic reconstruction of the community is needed.
<!--[if !supportLists]--> o <!--[endif]--> Rebuilding the confidence and harmony between the Muslim majority and Pandits is needed. In addition, the State government should ensure that harmony exists between them.
<!--[if !supportLists]--> o <!--[endif]--> The State government should not permit any change in the revenue documents pertaining to the properties of Pandits in favour of other communities.
<!--[if !supportLists]--> o <!--[endif]--> If no resettlement is possible at their original place of residence, the government should open camps for them in the Valley, and provide them necessary protection and essential amenities, including schooling for their children. This would give them a feeling of being settled in their own environment.
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