Kashmiri Pandits bat for homeland, jobs
Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) living in migrant camps in Jammu, Udhampur, and other areas voted for various Kashmir constituencies today, driven by their long-held desire for a ‘homeland’ in the Valley. KPs has been demanding rehabilitation from successive governments for decades, seeking a secure environment to return to their ancestral homes.
The KPs’ persistent demand for a homeland was evident in their enthusiastic participation in the elections, with many contestants from the community vying for Assembly seats.
The community members termed the government’s proposal to provide jobs and official quarters in Kashmir to 5,000 Kashmiri migrant youths, including Muslims and Sikhs, as merely symbolic. They argue that this gesture undermines the return and rehabilitation needs of the 300,000-strong community.
Shakti Raina, a school teacher, emphasised that while the government has made efforts, more concrete policies are needed to address the community’s concerns. “The major demand of the community is rehabilitation and returning to the Valley. We’ve been waiting for years to return to our homes,” she said
There was little effect of poll boycott call given by Panun Kashmir and other organisations, who were pressing for the enactment of a law to ensure legal recognition of alleged atrocities against the community.
“The only demand we have consistently voted for over the years is our collective right to a homeland in Kashmir. It is disheartening that this demand has continuously fallen on deaf ears,” said 70-year-old Avtar Krishen.
Krishen, a retired teacher, voted in the Kulgam assembly segment at a polling station in Jagti. He lamented that government policies on “return and rehabilitation” announced over two decades ago have never been effectively implemented. Instead, they have served as mere symbols of intent, he added.
“Subsequent governments, including the Congress and subsequently the BJP, have treated the rehabilitation of just 6,000 out of our three lakh population with government jobs and official housing until retirement. Is this truly rehabilitation?” he questioned.
However, the younger generation of KPs emphasises the need for job opportunities in both government and private sectors in the Valley for a sustainable return and rehabilitation.
“We believe that any return and rehabilitation plan must ensure employment opportunities alongside settlement to prevent the large-scale migration of our youth abroad. This is a critical concern for preserving our 5,000-year-old civilization,” said Vaibhav, a young voter studying medicine.
Young voters from the community advocate for innovative solutions to address this humanitarian issue and call for a united effort by all parties to save their ancient civilization in the Valley.
“Short-term and superficial approaches must be avoided to ensure their return, rehabilitation and promotion in the valley,” said Rosy, who voted in the Pulwama constituency.
Most voters expressed optimism about participating in assembly elections after a decade, unaffected by the poll boycott calls. “We are very pleased that elections are being held after 10 years. This is a positive development, and I encourage everyone to come out and vote,” said Vaibhav Tickoo. (With PTI Inputs)
