KPS for returning and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Executive Committee of the Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS) Jammu, chaired by President K. K. Khosa, convened on Monday to address pressing issues concerning the community and strategize for their urgent resolution.
The committee unanimously decided to appeal to all political parties, particularly those in the Kashmir Valley, to articulate their policies and proposals regarding the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland.
Expressing concern, the members noted that none of the political parties, whether regional or national, have included the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in their manifestos, despite their repeated assurances of prioritizing the issue.
This lack of action was deemed disappointing and contrary to the promises made regarding the integral role of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley’s cultural fabric.
Furthermore, the committee expressed disappointment over the unaddressed pressing issues despite numerous appeals and memorandums submitted to both the Union Territory Government and the Government of India.
This neglect has resulted in the continued dispersal of the community to other parts of the country in search of livelihood opportunities. The committee highlighted the stagnant relief amount for many years, which has caused physical and mental trauma to a section of the community. Additionally, the vulnerability of numerous temples and shrines in the absence of a statutory board, a demand voiced by the community for over two decades, remains a concern. Despite a significant number of eligible voters among Kashmiri
Pandits in all three Kashmir parliamentary constituencies, the committee lamented the absence of any nominations from the minority community to contest from the Valley.
This omission fails to acknowledge the inalienable right of Kashmiri Pandits to resettle in their ancestral land.
The meeting was attended both the Union Territory Government and the Government of India. This neglect has resulted in the continued dispersal of the community to other parts of the country in search of livelihood opportunities. The committee highlighted the stagnant relief amount for many years, which has caused physical and mental trauma to a section of the community. Additionally, the vulnerability of numerous temples and shrines in the absence of a statutory board, a demand voiced by the community for over two decades, remains a concern. Despite a significant number of eligible voters among Kashmiri by prominent members including Deepak Dhar (Sr. Vice President), Ashwani Kaul (Vice-President), S. L. Bagati (General Secretary), G. J. Kampasi (Secretary), Ashok Kher, B. B. Gosnai, V. K. Bakshi, Satish Khoda, Vinod Bhat, V. K. Mukhi, R. K. Ganjoo, and B. L. Rawal.
