Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Protest demonstrations, public meetings, wearing of black badges and paying tributes to martyrs marked the observance of 37th Holocaust Day by Kashmiri Hindus across country today.
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Terming the Kashmiri Pandits the victims of genocide the leaders of various organisations of displaced Pandits today highlighted the pain and agony of community which they faced due to cross border terrorism.
The Youth 4 Panun Kashmir which organised a programme at Jagti township and held a massive demonstration yesterday held a public meeting today to highlight the sufferings and pain of the community leading an exiled life for last 36 years now outside Kashmir.
The leaders while reiterating the separate homeland demand urged the Government to address all the issues of displaced Pandits in a time bound period. To listen the problems of the protestors today Additional DC Jammu visited Jagti and talked to the leaders of Youth 4 PK and assured that the administration will arrange their meeting with higher ups in the Government.
The Youth for PK leaders including Rahul Kaul, Vithal Choudhary, Digamber Raina and Rajesh Kachroo termed Janury 19 as darkest day in the history of Kashmiri Pandits urged the Government to settle the long pending issues of displaced Pandits.
Kashmiri Hindu Foundation and Panun Kashmir today urged the Government of India and the international community to acknowledge the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus and take decisive steps to ensure justice, restoration and the dignified return of the community to its homeland in Kashmir.
The leaders of two organisations including PK convener Dr Agnishekhar, Sunanda Vashisht writer and political commentator, Nitin Dhar , convener PK, Deepak Ganju founder KHF, and Anit Monga president KHF reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the struggle for justice, survival and restoration of the Kashmiri Hindu identity, marking January 19 as a solemn reminder of the systematic genocide of the Kashmiri Hindus from the Valley.
Panun Kashmir (PK) activists led by Dr Ajay Chrungoo its chairman which also observed the day as Kashmiri Hindu Holocaust Day, dedicated to remembrance of the victims, recognition of genocide, and reaffirmation of the resolve to reverse its consequences through justice, accountability, and restoration of homeland.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman, PK reiterated that the organisation remains firmly committed to the doctrine of reversal of genocide. He asserted that remembrance without justice is hollow, and that the Kashmiri Hindu struggle will continue until genocide denial ends and a secure Homeland is established as a constitutional and civilizational imperative.
Kashmiri Pandit Holocaust Day was observed today by Panun Kashmir (PK) at multiple locations across Jammu, including Purkhoo camp, Muthi camp, Butanagar camp and other areas inhabited by the exiled community. The observances are part of PK’s decision to mark the entire month of January as Jatividhwans Month, dedicated to remembrance, resistance to denial, and assertion of historical truth.
In New Delhi, PK organised an academic and public outreach programme at JNU, where a signature campaign was conducted as part of the Holocaust Day observance.
Meanwhile, in Jammu, Kuldeep Raina, general secretary of PK, speaking on a podcast in connection with Holocaust Day and Jatividhwans Month, stated, “The demand for recognition of the Kashmiri Pandit genocide and enactment of the Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Bill – 2020 is fundamental to justice.
The Holocaust Day, was observed with solemnity and resolve at the Press Club, Jammu. The programme was organized by the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) Shree Sanatan Dharam Yuvak Sabha (SSDYS) under the leadership of its president Shreemaan Moti Lal Malla.
The observance was joined and supported by the following socio-religious and community organizations:
Samajik Vikas Sanasthan, Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust, Zeeshta Devi Prabandhak Committee, Akura Prabandhak Committee, Mochch Fali Saet Athrot Trust, Nadi Marag KP Sangathan,Tral Awantipora Temples & Shrines Prabandhak Committee, Mata Bhaderkali Asthapan Committee, Kheer Bhavani Prabandhak Committee, Manzgam, Mata Kheer Bhavani Asthapan Committee, Tikker Durga Nagar Welfare & Coordination Committee, Guru Teg Bahadur Singh Ji Sangathan, BJP, Kashmir Displaced District, Amar Balidan Trust, All Displaced Kashmiri United Forum, Representatives of many other socio-religious organizations of Kashmir also participated.
Shradhanjali was paid to the martyrs. Speakers strongly reiterated the long-pending demands of the community.
On the 36th anniversary of the mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the Valley, the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) SDYSS (held a solemn commemorative event at Durra Nagar, Jammu. Led by president R.K. Wangnoo, community members gathered to observe Holocaust Day, marking the tragic events of January 19, 1990, when the indigenous Pandit community was hounded out of their ancestral homes.
Addressing the gathering, R.K. Wangnoo emphasized that January 19 remains a “Black Day” in human history. He reiterated the community’s long-standing demand for the Government of India to issue a comprehensive White Paper to fix responsibility for the genocide and forced displacement of Kashmiri Pandits.
The Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) and Yakhunt Mandli Ashram ( YMA) solemnly commemorated 36th painful years of Nishkashan, the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, and recalled with collective grief and resolve the horrifying night of 19 January 1990, when an ancient, peace-loving and indigenous community was compelled to flee its ancestors land under an organised campaign of terror, intimidation and religious extremism.
Kundan Kashmiri, president KPC stated that what befell Kashmiri Pandits was neither accidental nor voluntary. It was not migration but a deliberate and well-planned genocide aimed at cleansing the Kashmir Valley of its original Hindu civilisational presence.
All India Migrant Camp Coordination Committee (AIMCCC) also observed Holocaust day today, to remind the dark day of 19th of January 1990 when Kashmiri Pandit community was forced to leave the Valley. This is now the 37 th year of community in exile.
Besides, today’s Holocaust day, Shradhanjali was also given to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the sake of community in exile. The programme was held under the chairmanship of AIMCCC president, Desh Rattan and its chairman B K Raina.
The Holocaust Day was also observed by Jagti Migrants Welfare Forum led by Sunil Pandita which while highlighting the issues of the displaced Pandits extended full support to Youth 4 PK in its present struggle.
Rakesh Handoo spokesperson, Janata Dal United Migrant Cell in his statement alleged that successive Governments failed to redress the burning problems of Kashmiri Pandits in last 36 years in their exile. He also criticised police for using force on peaceful protestors at Jagti yesterday and urged the Government to settle genuine demands of displaced Pandits.
Matar Shakti also observed Holocaust Day at Geeta Bhawan Muthi and highlighted the pain and agony which the community faced during last 36 years of exile and cross border terrorism. They also held a protest urging the Government of India to ensure safe, honourable and dignified rehabilitation of the community in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Kashmir Society International and ex president Kashmir Administrative Officers Association J&K, Dr. Khwaja Farooq Renzushah, in a statement while responding to desire of Kashmiri Pandits back to Kashmir, has appealed to all occupants of their houses and land in Valley to hand it over back to them to restore great image of composite civilization of Kashmir.
Jammu & Kashmir Displaced Kashmiri Pandit Front while observing this 37th Holocaust Day, recalled the pain and agony, the community suffered in these 36 years and the darkest day of the history when they were forcefully driven out of their homes and hearths in valley.
Vinod Pandita president of the Front,Vishal Jotshi vice president, Jyoti Dhar, Vinod Bhat, Suraj Jotshi, M.K.Koul, Ashok Kumar Koul, Ashish Kumar and others paid rich tribute to the community martyrs on the occasion.
Victims of Terrorism Front led by Dileep Pandita also observed Holocaust Day and urged the Government to solve the long standing demands of the exiled Pandits without delay.
Thinkers Forum led by Kuldeep Kashmir also observed Holocaust Day today and criticized the authorities for lathicharge on peaceful protestors at Jagti yesterday.
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