Pandits and
peace talks
Sir,
With the
appointment of Mr K C Pant as Government of
India's representative for holding dialogue with
various Kashmir groups, the political activists
amongst the Kashmiri Pandit community have
started confabulations behind the curtain. The
press release of the Government of India does not
specifically and distinctly mention the Kashmiri
Pandits as participants in the dialogue but the
elaboration made by Mr Pant himself and the Union
Home Minister Mr Advani makes it clear that
Pandits are a party to the dialogue. It is
apparent that both these diginitaries have been
seen reason in making such a clarification.
Notwithstanding these facts it is imperative for
the Pandits to assert that they are the natural
and rightful party to any discussion on Kashmir
for they are the aborigines of Kashmir who have
been forceably dispossessed and expelled from the
land of their origin. It has to be declared
unequivocally by the Pandits that no one has the
right to represent them on any forum other than
their own accredited representatives.
The Pandits are
already aware that demands are being propounded
by Kashmiri Muslims viz (a) secession of the
State from the Indian Union and (b) autonomy
within Indian Union. Both these demands if and
when accepted, will have identical effect of
permanent loss of their Homeland in Kashmir for
Pandits. There are also regional demands voiced
by people of Jammu and Ladakh for trifurcation of
the State into Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh as
separate State within the Indian Union. All these
demands are expected to be projected by the
concerned during the course of the dialogue.
In addition to
these proposals it is also vehemently demanded by
Kashmiri Muslim secessionist groups that
admission to dialogue should be restricted to
three parties, the secessionists, the Govt of
India and the Govt. of Pakistan. The nature of
this demand is absolutely diabolic in so far as
it completely ignores the existence of
overwhelming sections of population of the State
who are opposed to secession. It also denies the
people of the State their right to uphold
territorial unity of India and place their view
point on this crucial issue before Mr Pant For
Kashmiri Pandits accessions of the State to India
is complete and final. It is not negotiable,
therefore, participation of Pakistan in inter
party discussion of J&K State subjects and
Government of India is irrelevant and
meaningless. Kashmiri Pandits also hold that it
is the prerogative of the Govt. of India alone to
hold any discussion with a foreign power be it
Pakistan or any other country. Besides the
Government of India in its relations with
Pakistan is bound by agreements, declaration
jointly made by them with that country. Those
agreements cannot be violated at the behest of
someone else. The secessionist groups of Kashmiri
Muslims are making this demand for giving
legitimacy to the Pak intervention and
encouragement to cross border terrorism in
Kashmir. But in so far as Kashmiri Pandits are
concerned their trouble in Kashmir is centuries
old and of local origin. Even if Government of
India is able to arrive at a settlement with
Pakistan, the troubles of Pandits will not end
unless KPs are able to make a final settlement
with Kashmiri Muslims and the Government of
India.
The Pandits have
to make an in-depth assessment of the nature and
scope of dialogue. It is necessary to take note
of various propositions which are placed before
Mr Pant by different group interests of Kashmiri
Muslims. The Pandits have to give concrete shape
to their agenda for dialogue. They cannot afford
to watch & wait for what others would propose
for them. Their agenda has to match the political
realities of the present situation in the
background of their continued experience of
persecution suffered by them during the last
seven centuries in Kashmir and the future
challenge to their survival as a vibrant and
progressive community.
In such a
situation in Kashmiri Pandits cannot behave like
an ostrich to escape the responsibility which the
emerging political situation has thrust on them.
They have to prove themselves equal to the
challenge that they have to face. The genius of
Pandits will definitely show them which will
enable them to come out of the evil effects of
genocide, ethnic cleansing and exile. The agenda
of discussion of Pandits with Mr Pant has to
address to all these issues.
Yours etc....
J L Drabu
297/A- New Plot, Jammu.
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