Satish Bhat
“Are you Migrant ?” “Yes or No” is the reply when a non-Kashmiri starts conversation with an unknown Kashmiri in Jammu or at any other place. KPS who were forced to leave Kashmir valley after eruption of militancy followed by brutal killings ,harassment and threats. To deprive a person to live in his ancestral home after snatching every right is the highest man-made calamity for him or her. It is dangerous than any natural calamity like earthquake or flood which is beyond human control.
The process of migration from Valley is not a new phenomenon for Kashmir. The latest series of mass migration started in 1986 when many temples in South Kashmir were damaged or burnt and few homes looted. The process gained momentum during 1989-90(which still continues). The brutal human killings, abductions, rape followed by desecration and encroachments of personal and religious places had left no option for KPS but to leave the Valley for good .The selective killings with the help of own friends and neighbours is the example of most heinous crime and dangerous human tragedy which the world has ever witnessed. These wounds do temporarily dry but on every itch,the blood oozes out. This human manmade tragedy is the result of decades or even centuries of intolerance which no world leader nor even our Mahatma Gandhi ever noticed. KPs always tried to live on this hidden volcano and tolerated its heat within.
As for recent migration the adverse affects are seen in the form of psychological, physical and endocrinological disorders with other ailments .It is a hidden poison which has shaken the core of a migrant Kashmiri. Much has been talked about return and rehabilitation but again intolerance comes in way to solve the problems of these patriots of India .The word ‘MIG’ has been attached to the service particulars of migrant employees. Separate Ration and voter cards have been allotted to these people in Jammu and other parts of India. They are known and identified by the word ‘Migrants ’.The relief and even Salary of State Govt. employees are allotted from Security fund. They are State subjects without any burden on state budget.
The community is away from valley for the last 26 years .Their homes have been burnt or damaged, land encroached upon and even not allowed to live according to their will. They are scattered in different parts of India and even abroad. They are not only displaced or migrated but forcibly thrown out people. When will world or our own India realize the facts? How far this vote bank or appeasement policy continue? Reality cannot be suppressed for long , the graph of population has declined drastically. There is a wide gap between death rate and birth rate .The pain of homelessness can only be those who become homeless. Only wearer knows where the shoe pinches. But it becomes more painful when somebody is thrown out and his home damaged. Some people in valley whose houses were damaged in flood can realize What is the agony when house is lost but there are no words to tell and such pain to feel when home is lost.
The Govt of India should realize the gravity of the situation ,the pathetic condition of this community and waste no time to redress the problems of this helpless community. Has any govt. realized the fate of unemployed over aged fellows who lost their right to earn livelihood because of this migration or displacement. Has it ever been thought about the ailing elders who have lost everything because of this manmade tragedy. How can humanity return those who left this world crying for their homes till their last breath. Has any Scholar or leader felt the pain and agony of this hapless community .There were indeed some great souls in India who came to rescue them. Had these souls not born in India –the community would have been known by great robbers and beggars. The State Government to which these fellow belong always showed blind eye and deaf ears towards this minority community. The community which is at the verge of extinction needs immediate attention .The focus of the concerned state is only on apple, saffron and hangul (deer) but not KP who is now in the last phase of extinction.
There is a great demand from this minority community to declare them as internally displaced. They are awaiting for minority status which otherwise is due to them. Hurdles have been created by the successive State Governments in granting them minority status. They are worst sufferers of turmoil,intolerance and as state minority community. They are called by ‘Migrants’ but Migrant status not granted. They are displaced from their homes in their own country but still not declared “Internally Displaced “.It is the responsibility of our citizens(of India) to clear the stand- whether they are Migrants or Internally Displaced.
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