BLUNT BUTCHER
JAMMU: Separatists and ‘mainstreamists’ in Kashmir have a unique convergence despite pretentious divergence in approach towards resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in their land of ancestors. Both pursue a common agenda of opposing the proposed transit colonies for 6,000 families in north, south and central Kashmir in the first phase. Though separatists have taken centre-stage over the issue, yet the mainstream parties are providing crucial back-up by generating fears among people with a sinister objective of sabotaging the move. The cosmetic cry of ‘Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits” becomes feeble in the din of wild roars they all are making to scuttle the process of return.
Do they-the so-called champions of Kashmir-really want Kashmiri Pandits back? The answer will be big ‘No’, as vested interest has overtaken humanitarian values. Besides, it is not practicable also, the way they want Pandits to return. Separatist and mainstream parties want ‘migrants’ to rehabilitate their homes and hearths, ignoring that these have either been sold out under duress or encroached upon since. Where would they go? The occupants of the Pandit properties-genuine or encroachers-would never like to part with these properties, both houses and lands, Let Syed Ali Shah Geelani use his clout of being supremo and give a call for returning back Pandits their belongings. This should be first test of his sincerity in welcoming the displaced people back by describing them integral to Kashmiri ethos. He had recently made a suggestion of enhancing return package for Kashmiri Pandits from Rs 20 lakhs to 30 lakhs so that they can build their houses. Castles cannot be built in air; these have to be raised on land, which they refuse to part. Geelani’s suggestion sans logic, as he or his likes in the Valley create hysteria over setting up of colonies for Kashmiri Pandits but are not ready to make occupants vacate their properties.
Second pressure group against return of Kashmiri Pandits was those appointed against ‘migrant’ vacancies from 1990 to 1993. Return of Pandits would have meant loss of their jobs and delays in promotions. Though successive governments regularised the incumbents against migrant vacancies yet the feeling of Pandit domination in specific categories of jobs became a focal point to discourage their return. Two-and-half decades are long a time which witnessed reduced presence of Kashmiri Pandits in government jobs. There has never been any effort in finding out the number of Kashmiri Pandit employees in Jammu and Kashmir Government in 1990 and now. The disclosure will certainly be startling, which the government will never like to make, notwithstanding BJP partnering the dispensation.
Those in the mainstream camp, claiming “Kashmir incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits” and having remained or being in the government will have to make explaining as to why the number of Kashmiri Pandits in the government sector has dwindled and who got benefited? Comparative statement on religion and region-wise recruitment post militancy will explode the hypocrisy of ruling elite, which has all along played deceptive role during most turbulent times of Kashmir history.
Prior to migration from the Valley, Kashmiri Pandits have had a monopoly in media, academics and pharmaceutical, which are completely taken over by the majority community and therefore retrieving the lost sectors back will be yet another bone of contention between the stake-holders, which is why there has been little enthusiasm about return of the natives back to their hearths.
In this backdrop, there is little scope for Kashmiri Pandits to return back, given the ground realities and the amount of mistrust created by vested interests, both in mainstream and separatist camps. For all these years of migration, they have been condemned back home for having fallen to conspiracy hatched by Governor Jagmohan with a design of killing Muslims. The vested interests are still active in spreading these canards under the veil of ‘Kashmir incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits’. (concluded)
