K K Khosa
Over the past twelve years, the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken a series of transformative and assertive measures that have significantly reshaped the political, constitutional, and security landscape of the nation. Supporters of the present dispensation view this period as one marked by decisive governance, strong national resolve, and an uncompromising approach towards issues concerning national security, terrorism, separatism, and illegal immigration.
Among the most historic decisions has been the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which ended the special constitutional status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and fully integrated it with the Union of India. For many nationalists, and particularly for the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, this was not merely a constitutional change but a long-awaited correction of history. The move symbolized the principle of “One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag,” while simultaneously dismantling structures that were often blamed for separatism, political exclusivism, and alienation.
The passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was another landmark initiative aimed at providing refuge and dignity to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries. Supporters of the legislation view it as a humanitarian measure rooted in India’s civilizational ethos, despite the ill-conceived political controversy and criticism generated around it at both domestic and international levels.
Equally significant has been the sustained campaign against Naxalism. Coordinated operations by security agencies over the years have considerably weakened Maoist networks across several states. Areas once severely affected by Left-Wing Extremism have witnessed improved security, infrastructure development, and greater integration with mainstream governance. The decline in violence and shrinking operational capacity of Naxalite groups leading to their near complete decimation are widely regarded as major internal security achievements.
The enactment of new criminal laws replacing colonial-era legislation reflects the government’s attempt to modernize India’s justice system. These reforms are projected as efforts to make the legal framework more citizen-centric, efficient, and aligned with contemporary realities, while simultaneously strengthening the fight against organized crime, terrorism, and anti-national activities.
The government’s sustained campaign against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has also emerged as a defining feature of this period. Counter-terror operations, including initiatives such as Operation Mahadev and Operation Sindoor, have demonstrated a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and its supporting ecosystem. The use of institutions such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), SIA, ED, and the armed forces against terrorist handlers, separatist networks, overground workers, narco-terror elements, and anti-national forces has sent a strong message that the Indian state will not compromise on sovereignty and national integrity.
Simultaneously, intensified scrutiny of electoral rolls, citizenship verification exercises, and National Register-related initiatives in states such as Assam and West Bengal are commcommendable and necessary steps to safeguard democratic processes and national security. The issue of illegal immigration, particularly concerning Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators, has increasingly emerged as a major political and security concern. There remains a widespread expectation among sections of society that stronger measures may eventually be undertaken to identify and deport illegal immigrants.
In the context of Jammu and Kashmir, the handling of the situation by the Government of India has brought relative peace and stability compared to the turbulent decades of the past. Terror incidents, stone pelting, and separatist mobilization have witnessed a visible decline. Developmental initiatives, improved infrastructure, increased tourism, and strengthened security mechanisms are often cited as indicators of changing ground realities.
For the beleaguered Kashmiri Pandit community, these developments have generated cautious optimism and renewed hope. After suffering displacement, violence, and exile for more than three decades, many Kashmiri Pandits believe that conditions may finally be evolving towards a framework where their return and rehabilitation in Kashmir can become possible with dignity, honour, and security. There is a growing perception that the Government of India has been quietly working towards a comprehensive roadmap concerning their resettlement.
However, significant concerns continue to persist within the community. The prolonged displacement and dispersal of Kashmiri Pandits across India and the world have deeply affected the preservation of their unique culture, language, traditions, and identity. The fear of gradual cultural erosion remains real and deeply painful.
Another major concern relates to the widespread occupation, encroachment, and usurpation of properties left behind by displaced families in Kashmir. Although the Union Territory administration has launched grievance mechanisms and portals for restoration of properties, the outcomes so far have remained far below expectations. The community continues to demand an effective, transparent, and time-bound mechanism for reclaiming ancestral homes, temples, and lands.
The efforts of the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha towards the restoration and development of temples and places of worship are appreciated by the community. Yet there is also a growing realization that preservation of shrines alone cannot substitute the actual return of the people to whom this civilizational heritage belongs. Temples without devotees and heritage without living communities cannot fully revive the spirit of Kashmir’s ancient pluralistic ethos.
The return of Kashmiri Pandits, therefore, is not merely a question of physical rehabilitation but of civilizational restoration. It is intrinsically linked with the revival of Kashmir’s composite culture, the reaffirmation of India’s secular and plural traditions, and the healing of one of independent India’s deepest tragedies. The hope persists that the decisive measures undertaken by the Government of India during the past twelve years may ultimately culminate in a realistic, secure, and honourable policy for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in their homeland.
At the same time, serious questions are increasingly being raised regarding the approach of the ruling Jammu & Kashmir National Conference government towards the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. The party’s manifesto released before the 2024 Assembly elections had explicitly acknowledged the issue of the dignified return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley with full security and honour. However, even after more than a year in office, there has been little visible political engagement or substantive discussion on the issue either inside or outside the Legislative Assembly.
There is also a growing perception among sections of the displaced community that the top leadership of the ruling establishment is attempting to shift the responsibility onto the Kashmiri Pandit community itself by citing the absence of a consensus regarding a robust and pragmatic rehabilitation model. Many within the community argue that while differing viewpoints on modalities may exist, the fundamental responsibility of creating conditions for safe, dignified, and sustainable return rests primarily with the elected government and the state administration. They believe that political will, sustained dialogue, institutional commitment, and a clearly defined roadmap are essential if the promises made to the displaced community are to translate into meaningful action rather than remain confined to electoral manifestos.
(The author is President Kashmiri Pandit Sabha Jammu. )
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