‘Govt committed to address long standing issues’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 27 : Expressing concern over continuing dilution of the community’s cultural and linguistic ethos, Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh has stressed the need for sustained efforts to preserve the Kashmiri Pandit legacy and emphasised that preserving the community’s cultural, linguistic and civilisational ethos is essential for sustaining Kashmir’s composite culture, which remains incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandits.
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The Minister said that the Modi Government has taken decisive and sustained action against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir over the past eleven years, resulting in a significant decline in terror incidents, stone-pelting and targeted killings. He said this reflects strong political will, and marks a clear departure from earlier approaches that lacked firmness in dealing with terrorism.
Dr Jitendra Singh was speaking at a programme organised here to mark the martyrdom day of Pandit Prem Nath Bhat, a noted lawyer, journalist and RSS ideologue who was killed by terrorists on 27 December, 1989. Paying tribute to Pandit Prem Nath Bhat, the Minister said his sacrifice symbolises the suffering endured by the Kashmiri Pandit community due to terrorism and targeted violence.
He said terrorism inflicted grave human suffering and severely disrupted the social harmony of Kashmir. He noted that for several years, the human rights of victims of terrorism, particularly Kashmiri Pandits, were overlooked due to a selective and inconsistent definition of terrorism. This, he said, aggravated the injustice faced by those who were forced to leave their homes and abandon their ancestral roots. He said the Kashmiri Pandit community has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and an inherent capacity to survive and thrive despite decades of displacement and adversity.
Highlighting Kashmir’s centuries-old composite and pluralistic culture, Dr Jitendra Singh said Kashmiri Pandits have been an inseparable part of the Valley’s civilisational fabric. Their contributions to education, literature, administration and social values provided a stabilising and rational influence that benefitted the entire society. He expressed concern over the continuing dilution of cultural and linguistic ethos and stressed the need for sustained efforts to preserve the Kashmiri Pandit legacy. The Minister emphasised that preserving the community’s cultural, linguistic and civilisational ethos is essential for sustaining Kashmir’s composite culture, which remains incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandits.
Dr Jitendra Singh assured that the Government is sincere, trustworthy and fully committed to addressing the long-pending demands of the Kashmiri Pandit community. He said he would ensure that these demands are taken up and addressed to the maximum extent possible. He also suggested that the community undertake a structured exercise to compile demands already met by the Government, and clearly identify the remaining issues. This consolidated representation, he said, could then be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration.
Dr Jitendra Singh further noted that the Government’s approach aims not only at rehabilitation but also at preserving the cultural and social fabric of the Valley, ensuring that the Kashmiri Pandit community’s contributions are recognised and sustained for future generations.
Taking a dig at earlier Governments for their “weakened policies to counter terrorism”, he said they were taking one step forward and two steps backward but some decisive steps were taken by Modi Government in last 11 years to counter terrorism. It is the result of this proactive policy of Modi Government that there is no stone pelting, hartals and bandhs in Kashmir while the targeted killings are constantly on decline. The controversial Article 370 was annulled, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said it is the result of this policy that Moulvi Umar Farooq removed the tag of Hurriyat chief from his social media blog.
Earlier there was selective consideration of human rights and victims who really suffered human rights violation were totally ignored, he said, but this has now completely changed.
He assured the KPs that the temple issue will be taken with the Chief Minister as this Government’s main concern is that the monuments of faith should be preserved. Dr Jitendra Singh said that BJP always stood with Pandits “Whether in power or out of power as we are deeply involved with common ideology”, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said this Government is committed because Kashmiri Pandits and BJP have a common stake as both are interdependent on each other.
On the occasion a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted by the Trust to the Union Minister.
Earlier, Justice (retd) Bansi Lal Bhat who was the community speaker highlighted the issues confronted the displaced Pandits and said that 36 years is a long period in exile and the Government should now take steps for honourable and dignified return of the community. He also strongly advocated for passage of Temples and Shrines Bill saying that these shrines are the cultural monuments and need to be preserved for the posterity.
He, while highlighting the plight of relief holders, demanded enhancement of cash assistance, more job package for displaced youth, security and construction of quarters for PM package employees, besides treating all package employees at par with other Government employees of Kashmir valley and removal of encroachments from KPs land.
He said the return and rehabilitation policy needs to be framed in such a way that the KPs have right to life and liberty, profess their religion freely and mange their religious places themselves.
He said Pandits are optimistic that present Government has will and determination to settle the long standing issues of the community and it is looking forward for the same.
He, while quoting the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) ruling said that the Commission has established that the Kashmiri Pandits faced situation akin to genocide and stressed on constitution of Truth and Reconciliatory Commission as suggested by former Supreme Court Judge.
On the occasion two martyrs’ families including Pran Nath Bhat of Utrasoo, Anantnag who was killed in May 1990 by terrorists and Sushil Kumar Pandita of Vessu, a BSF Jawan who also attained martyrdom in Kashmir in line of duty were honoured. Their citations were read by Shadi Lal Raias and Sundri Lal Koul, general secretaries of the Trust. The vote of thanks was proposed by Roshan Lal Pandita, chairman of the Trust while Ramesh Marhata a well known Radio and TV broadcaster managed the stage.
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