Excelsior Special Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 4: By and large State level press has understated the threat letter sent to the small Pandit community located at Sheikhpora, Humhama. They comprised parents or family members of the displaced Pandits recently employed in State Government service under the Prime Minister’s package. A registered letter mailed from somewhere in Dalgate area and on the letter head of a known militant organization, has been sent to them alleging that in Islamic Kashmir they are indulging in un-Islamic practices and depraved social behavior which is not acceptable. They were told to leave the Valley within a week or be prepared for facing the consequences.
Most of the national media, too, has underplayed the news item though one of them on August 3 did carry the soft words spoken by the leadership of both the factions of the Hurriyat. They have told the Pandit displaced persons not to panic and stay calm at their places.
Ever since the Pandit youth were appointed under PM”s employment package, this is the first instance that a threat has been issued to them and allegations of indulging in un-Islamic activities have been made. When the State Government decided to make selection from among the displaced Pandit youth for teaching and other jobs, it simultaneously but arbitrarily imposed several conditions for joining at their posts. They were told that their posts are only in the Valley and they will not ask for transfer out of the Valley. Request for transfer out of the Valley would result in the termination of their service. They were required to submit an affidavit the text of which was drawn by the State Government and the recruits had to sign along the dotted lines.
This arbitrary act is in contravention of the service rules and also the constitution of J&K. There is no precedent to show that similar arbitrary rules were made in the case of about 5 lakh Government employments made by the State Government during last two decades of turmoil
However, the State Government did give assurances of providing security to the displaced recruits after they joined their posts in Kashmir valley. By and large, the recruits, after joining in Kashmir, were meted out cordial and sympathetic treatment by the locals in the localities where they served. There was least involvement of the Government. Good will was exchanged and the Pandit recruits had no complaints at least in security area.
The threatening letter sent to them is the first instance of its kind after the Pandit recruits joined their posts. As such, one may say that this could be an isolated case and did not reflect the mood of the people in general.
However, a few points need to be touched on in regard to the discourse on Pandit return and rehabilitation. In the first place, the threat letter showed that the militants and especially those affiliated to extremist religious groups are only dormant and not dysfunctional. It means they have the capacity to disrupt peace and normalcy in the State by stoking the flames of communalism. The Government will need to take cognizance of this ground reality.
Second significant point is that the scared Pandits have made a representation to the leadership of both the Hurriyat factions. They have not mobilized the security forces and the Government to supervene and set right the situation. The reason is that the affected Pandits are very eager to maintain communal harmony and strengthen Kashmiriyat. They do not want confrontation nor do they want that the Government should be cornered owing to a cause that involved their very existence. To provide them security is the duty of the Government.
However, it is distressing to note that both leaders of the two factions of the Hurriyat have brought accusations to the door steps of the Government. Amid exuding words of sympathy and goodwill to the scared handful of Pandits and assuring them that they were part and parcel of Kashmiri society, the Hurriyat leaders have tried to create dilemma for the Pandits. If God forbid, there is an attack on the Pandits, the Government will bring onus to the doorsteps of the separatist and militancy leadership while the separatist leadership will put the blame on the Government. The Pandit is caught in the crossfire between the Government and the separatist leadership.
Evidently after being accused of indulging in State terrorism against the religious minority in Kashmir, the Government has no way but to refute the charges, conduct a lightening enquiry into the matter and expose the miscreants. That will absolve it of the allegations brought against it. If the Government did not do that, the large masses of people in Kashmir will be convinced that the Government did not want the Pandits to return and resettle in Kashmir and that all its tall claims of secularism and Kashmiriyat are only hollow slogans.
We know that this could be an isolated event; we know that one should not blow these incidents out of proportion, and we know that the people in general in the Valley are against any threats issued to the Pandit minority. But even a small incident can vitiate the atmosphere. This is what has happened. All displaced Pandits including the females recruited by the Government and posted in farthest nooks of the State are feeling insecure after hearing about the letter of threat to their fraternity. This did not serve any well meaning social segment in the State.
The Government should take necessary steps to ensure the safety of the threatened community. It should allow them the opportunity of building bridges of friendship and confidence with the members of majority community in the Calley. The ball is in the court of the Government, both State and Central. They have to act.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel