Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: On the 35th anniversary of the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandit community, the Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj (VKS) has called for their safe and dignified return to their homeland.
Speaking at a press conference, Kiran Wattal, the convener of the organization, highlighted that no government to date has introduced a concrete proposal or scheme to ensure the community’s return. However, he expressed optimism about Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, praising his efforts for the public in general and the Kashmiri Pandit community in particular over the past few years.
Wattal emphasized the rich 5,000-year history of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, noting that many of their properties, temples, and pilgrimage sites remain there. Refuting claims that the community is unwilling to return, he while sharing a report titled “Post-Exile Culture Survey: Challenges, Aspirations and Preservation of Kashmiri Pandit Heritage” made by Shri Vishwakarma Skill University and Whetstone international Consulting, pointed out that 65% of Kashmiri Pandits are eager to go back, with over 75% still retaining their properties in Kashmir.
The Organization, supported by various Kashmiri groups, including the Kashmiri Overseas Association, Jammu Kashmiri Vichar Manch, Roots in Kashmir, Global Kashmiri Progressive Diaspora, and others, has urged the Central and Jammu & Kashmir governments to develop special model townships in Kashmir for the rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri community, including Pandits, Sikhs, and other minorities.
Additionally, the Organization demanded the immediate filling of all vacant posts under the Prime Minister’s Employment package, the creation of additional gazetted posts and the inclusion of eligible Kashmiri migrant youth in these opportunities, providing special incentives under single window system to Kashmiri youth to start their own ventures and setting up Sharda university on the pattern of Islamic University and BGSBU University. The representatives stressed the importance of these measures to ensure the community’s safe, respectful, and sustainable return to their homeland.
Also present in the press conference were Prof Ashok Aima and Prof RL Hangloo (advisors, Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj), Dr Rattan Lal Dhar (secretary, Durga Nath Trust Kashmir), Ramesh hangloo (founder of Radio Sharda), Kamal Ganjoo (secretary, Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj), and Ashok Sumbli and RK Tikoo (volunteers groups of Jagti).
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