Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 30: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said uncertainty in Kashmir cannot be over till the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland.
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Speaking to reporters in Anantnag, Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir particularly the Valley has seen immense pain and problem in the last several decades. “The region has witnessed immense loss. Many innocent people have lost their lives,” she added.
“Since the emergence of uncertainty in Kashmir, our mothers, sisters, brothers and daughters of the Kashmiri Pandit community left Kashmir region which was a great and collective loss for our society. This loss cannot be compensated till they return back and live their life together with Muslim brethren in a peaceful atmosphere,” the PDP president said.
Mehbooba said that when late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was CM he wished to bring KPs back to their homeland and wanted to provide them a favorable atmosphere. “Instability cannot be over till KPs return to the homeland – Kashmir,” she added.
The PDP president visited the ancient Thajiwara Temple here to extend her warm wishes to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
“The visit showcased the rich tapestry of diversity that Kashmir represents, emphasizing its status as a beacon of syncretic culture,” the PDP said in a statement.
“Despite being a Muslim-majority State, Kashmir has long been celebrated for its tradition of co-existence and shared heritage. The temple visit by Mehbooba underlined this spirit of inclusivity, as she expressed her admiration for the Kashmiri Pandit community’s rituals and customs. This move comes at a crucial time when divisive narratives threaten to fracture unity across the nation,” the statement said.
“Mehbooba efforts to bridge the gap between different communities are not new. Following in the footsteps of her late father, she has consistently advocated for unity and understanding between Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits, especially in the aftermath of the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990s. Her presence at the Thajiwara Temple is yet another testimony to her commitment to mending the bonds of trust and friendship that were strained during those tumultuous times, the statement added.
Mehbooba said that the event also serves as a reminder of the unique position Kashmir holds in the broader Indian narrative. “While the nation grapples with communal divisions, the region continues to uphold the spirit of togetherness, drawing strength from its shared history and heritage,” she added.
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