Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) organized a protest, here today, demanding a clear roadmap from the Central Government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration for the return and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.
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The protest witnessed participation from a large number of volunteers, including men and women, who assembled in support of the community’s long-pending demands. The demonstrators raised slogans and carried banners and flags, seeking justice and dignified rehabilitation for the displaced community.
The protest was led by YAIKS president R K Bhat, along with core group members including Sanjay Ganjoo, Manoj Handoo, D N Sadhu, Sunil Dhar, Ravi Kumar, Sagar Ji, Roohi Nazar, Shakuntla Bhat, Ajay Pandita, Kamal Tak, Suman Dass, Gurprees Singh, Lovely Bhan, Rainoo Raina, Sandeep Talashi, Jimmy Bazaz and Urmilla Ji, among others.
Addressing the gathering, R K Bhat urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take concrete steps for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their “motherland” in Kashmir. He said the displaced community has remained homeless, identity-less and rootless for decades and called for a structured rehabilitation mechanism to ensure their safe and dignified return. He expressed optimism that the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits could be realized under the present dispensation, while stressing that prolonged delays have deepened uncertainty within the community.
Thanking the Government of India and the Delimitation Commission for reserving two Assembly seats for displaced Kashmiri Pandits in J&K, Mr Bhat sought a transparent mechanism to ensure that elections for these reserved seats are conducted under Government supervision to promote grassroots leadership within the community and reduce the influence of vested interests.
YAIKS highlighted several demands, including a comprehensive review, redesign and restructuring of the PM’s Return, Relief and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Pandits. The organization also demanded provision of 15,000 additional Govt jobs under the PM’s package, one-time compensation of at least Rs 1 lakh per year of displacement for over-aged youth and displaced traders, enhancement of livelihood assistance for relief holders from Rs 108 per day per person to Rs 500 and constitution of an Apex Committee for KPs, chaired by the Union Home Minister, to deliberate on a comprehensive return policy and rehabilitation framework.
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