KPs defeated separatist narrative at Geneva: Pandita
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Kuldeep Khoda today said that the militancy in Kashmir was not gradual but it has its roots in 1931 uprising. “Militancy was prevalent in Kashmir since 1931 without gun’’, the ex CVC said at a seminar organised by Abhinavgupt Shaktiveers Trust at Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra here.
Outrightly rejecting that former Governor, Jagmohan was responsible for Kashmiri Pandits mass exodus, Kuldeep Khoda said a wrong narrative was set by some vested elements. He said “If a lie is repeated hundred times it becomes truth and same was case with this narrative’’. He regretted that people outside mostly believed with this narrative which was not based on facts.
He said militancy started in Kashmir in June 1988 when huge arms and ammunition was recovered by police in Kupwara and youth of Kashmir had gone for arms training to Pakistan in 1985. Holding the then Governments both at Centre and in erstwhile State responsible, he said they did not act decisively and no cognisance was taken by them of the reports sent by the then police authorities in this regard.
He said how Jagmohan could be held responsible for mass exodus as he had joined only one day prior to January 19 holocaust. The exodus of Pandits had started even before that. The killings of KP leaders like Tika Lal Taploo, Session Judge, Neelkant Ganjoo had taken place prior to that.
Maintaining that situation is not yet conducive for return of Pandits to valley, he said the community suffered onslaught since 1931. They were subjected to discrimination even prior to mass exodus in every sphere of life whether Government jobs or admission in professional colleges.
He also rejected the narrative created by certain forces that Pandits are not united as the community has over 50 organisations. He however urged the community to come on a single platform and make a Coordination Committee to take up the issues with Government as this is the need of the hour.
He also demanded constitution of a Commission on the pattern of single window to look into the issues of Pandits besides encroachment of their immovable land and other property. The administration should also be accountable to this Commission, he added.
Addressing the gathering Dr K N Pandita a veteran scholar who presided over the programme said that a new hope has emerged with the speech of LG in Jammu University day before yesterday. Pandita said it has generated a new hope in the community and it gives the impression that Government of India is concerned for the community a lot.
“The inferences drawn from LG’s speech show that he has full realisation that we faced ethnic cleansing as truth has been kept hidden till date,, Despite facing terrorist attacks and ethnic cleansing we did not take to arms as we were patriotic people who loved their country most,’’ he added.
Highlighting the role played by Kashmiri Pandits in pleading the national cause at Geneva, he said we made it known to entire world that Kashmir is not a freedom struggle but a communal struggle. The UN acknowledged it and nowhere in UN papers the word migrant has been associated with KPs but in every correspondence they have been described as internally displaced people. This has been an achievement for the community. He however regretted that the word migrants’ has been affixed with displaced Pandits in our own country.
President Hindu Education Society Kashmir (HESK) , Prof B L Zutshi said the community has been betrayed by the majority community of Valley as well as successive governments.
He said many new universities were created in J&K over last three decades but Gandhi Memorial College which is an old institute of KPs has been ignored by the successive Governments and it has not been rendered any support till date.
He said earlier the community has full access with political leaders even in BJP. Former Governor of Goa, Kedar Nath Sahni, former Deputy CPM L K Advani , Union Minister Sushma Sawaraj and even the leaders of Communist Party and Congress were accessible for us and our plight was heard but now no one in Government is ready to listen to us which is totally unfortunate.
He said a false narrative is being created that the community is divided which is totally wrong “We are all one and we are united fighting for our demands the main being the honourable and dignified rehabilitation and the Government should keep this in mind’’. He regretted that community has been totally ignored by political parties since 2005 as no representation was given to us in council of ministers and there is no one to represent us in Assembly.
In his welcome address I K Raina co-convener Abhinav Gupta Shaktiveers Trust gave a detailed feed back of the organisation and challenges before the community including its dwindling population. He said it is high time for community to ponder what will be the way forward as the community is the victim of genocide which needs to be recognised by the Government.
Dr Dilip Pandita, who was also special guest on the occasion threw light the challenges faced by the community and urged the community to come forward to face these challenges boldly instead of banking upon the Government.
On the occasion B L Bhat Katal who has been nominated for Padamshri on this year’s Republic Day was honoured by the Abhinavgupt Trust. He was presented a citation a portrait of great Shivachariya Acharya Abhinavgupt and a Shawl by the dignitaries on the stage.
The stage was managed by Hira Lal Bhat socio political leader. He stressed that a proper narrative needs to be built on community issues and rehabilitation. He cautioned the community of setting wrong narratives and instead forge unity to focus on its core agenda by identifying inimical forces.
Prominent who attended the programme included Prof P N Trisal, B L Saraf retired District and Session Judge, Kuldeep Raina president, Samajik Vikas Sansthan, Ashok Kangan, R L Malla, Nana Ji Raina, Trustees Abhinavgupt Shaktiveers and heads of various KP organisations.
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