Prof A.N.Sadhu
A View Point
The return of displaced KPs has been much talked about a subject for several years, particularly after the announcement of PM’s package. How seriously the Govt. has sought to implement the package is known to everyone. the community Of KPs remained exercised about various serious aspects of the package even suggested some amendments but could not throw up a consensus in concreting idea that would have engaged the attention of the powers. On the other hand The administration is callously ignoring the just problems of the community whose members are languishing in Jagti, Muthi Purkhoo and non camp areas without any reasonable basic amenities including power and water supply.A small member of employees appointed under PM’s package are not getting a fair deal as far as their accommodation, place of posting or other amenities necessary for normal living. The deliberate &serious lapse on the part of the administration has alienated the displaced community and is a question mark to the working of administration in relation to displaced persons.
History bears evidence to the fact that the KP community which has made significant contribution to the valley’ society and qualitative politics has been victim of terror and theocracy from several hundred years. The latest Exodus of 1990 in a democratic dispensation has unleashed untold miseries on the displaced families. That in 21st century civilized society, a small ethnic religious entity of historic antiquate is living in inhuman condition is reflection on failure of the State and Central Govts.
Kashmiri Pandits, the aborigines of the valley of Kashmir, have an inalienable right to return to their original habitat and are keen to do so. The adverse and hostile conditions they have witnessed in the past, compels them to think very seriously about the alternatives of their return and aftermath. The workability as also the sustainability of the alternative has to be kept in mind. Last 23 years have revolved around the concept of PK on one hand and return to original places on other. Debates of PK have dominated all discussions related to dignified and secure return of KPs to the Valley. A fair examination of the PK and its Margdarshan resolution makes it an ideal alternative capable of surmounting all the odds that the community faced at different stages of history. But will it happen and how soon? Relaxing some of the premises of PK theory may generate healthy debate on it and some workable frame work may evolve. This is however, for the PK leadership to examine it and involve people in something workable and achievable.
The other alternative is the return to the places of old habitats and living in the same fashion as before. It is neither feasible nor workable. Quite a lot has happened in last 23 years. More over the basic difficulty is that in most of the cases people have disposed of their properties including residential dwellings in distress, in some cases houses have been burned, ransacked, and are under forcible occupation. Then social responses will have to be gauged. Therefore owing to inherent constraints nothing substantial has materialized on ground, even in terms of this alternative.
Recently a third alternative has emerged as a result of interlocutor’s sessions with a selected meaningful group of KPs. It was in circulation for over an year or so before it received the endorsement of the interlocutors appointed by the Central Govt. to produce an additional volume on Kashmir, the types of which already exists in dozens. It is immaterial who
Innovated this s idea; what is important is to examine if it holds a greater potential as an alternative for return and retention of KPs. The discussion is all theoretical as there is no official word on it. As an intellectual exercise, there is a need in building a response, positive or negative based on merit. One thing which is clear is the firm stand of all KPS and all KP organizations that Kashmir belongs to them and have to return to their homeland with honor, security and guarantees of their fundamental right, in a democratic and secular setup. In the backdrop of the ugly violence witnessed by them due to rise of terrorism , they will not entertain a truncated arrangement and would wish to live together ideally of their own or in a composite set up with guaranteed safeguards of their fuller participation in polity, administration, society and economy.
Twin City is not a new concept in our country. The difference is that in other places, it was adopted to demographic pressures forcing decentralized civil administration for better management of the metropolitan cities. If adopted here, it will be for different reason of accommodating all the displaced population in a concentrated settlement to give them a greater sense of security and confidence of free living. The proponents say that this will give them a statutory political space and ensure their participation in decision making bodies. There are many slips between cup and the lip as Habbakadal a largely Pandit concentrated constituency was truncated over time and realignments made to deny the Pandits advantage they enjoyed in that settlement .. The concept of Twin City just for the sake of accommodating KPs may need a through debate among Pandits, other stake holders and the policy makers. The choice of alternative is indeed a difficult subject but the community intelligentsia, and leadership is required a respond it rather than react to such alternatives and discuss dispassionately each alternative to arrive at consensus.
On matters touching every Kashmiri Pandit Leadership of the community need to sit together and evolve an agreed approach to its concerns without losing more time.
(The views of the author are personal)
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