*Calls for sincere efforts to facilitate their return
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 9: The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) president and former Minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, today emphasized that Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part of Kashmir’s social and cultural identity, stressing the need for comprehensive efforts to ensure their dignified return to their homeland.
In a statement, Hakeem Yaseen said that the people of Kashmir have always been ready to welcome their Kashmiri Pandit brethren, irrespective of the circumstances under which they left the Valley. He described the Kashmiri Pandit community as an essential pillar of Kashmiri society, whose absence is deeply felt, particularly during festivals such as Ramadan, Eid, Shiv Ratri and other common cultural celebrations.
Recalling his tenure as Revenue Minister, PDF chief said that both former Chief Ministers Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly advocated for the return of Kashmiri Pandits. “During that period, we initiated several measures to facilitate their return, including the construction of transit accommodations and introducing schemes aimed at their rehabilitation,” he said.
Hakeem acknowledged that these efforts, though well-intentioned, were temporary and lacked a sustainable, long-term approach. “The initiatives taken in the past were like short-term remedies. What is needed now is a permanent solution that ensures their dignified return to their original homes,” he stressed.
Emphasizing the cultural and social vacuum left by the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Hakeem said, “The people of Kashmir are incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits; their presence is vital — like a garden without flowers. Their absence is deeply felt in our social gatherings, cultural events, and festivals.”
The PDF leader lamented that despite multiple attempts, no government has been successful in ensuring the return of Pandits. He stressed that while the government must take responsibility, there is also a need for proactive efforts from within the KPs’ community itself.
He urged the government to adopt a holistic approach that goes beyond temporary measures and focuses on creating an environment conducive to the return of Kashmiri Pandits. “We must ensure that Kashmiri Pandits return not as guests but as rightful inhabitants of their land, with dignity, security, and respect,” he added.
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