LONDON: Kashmiri pandits have told the tales of their woes to the UN Human Rights Commission charging that the cleansing and genocide of the minority Hindu community by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has forced their exodus from the Kashmir valley,
Panun Kashmir, an organization of Kashmiri pandits calling for a separate homeland in the valley, has presented, perhaps for the first time, the other side of Kashmir before the world community at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
It has sought intervention of the international conscience to protect this pocket of tolerance and save it from cultural disintegration and extinction.
Ajay Chrangoo, leader of the Panun Kashmir, giving a vivid account of the plight of 300,000 Kashmiri pandits, told the world body that ravaged by ethnic and religious conflicts, my peace-loving Community has been forced to leave the Kashmir valley to escape persecution. He said Pakistan has always tied {o strengthen religious fundamentalist outfits in valley to further its designs to take Kashmir, However, we are really stunned to see that Indian state which has a constitutional obligation to protect everybody anywhere in the country, has. failed to perform its duty.
In a democratic secular India we are living the life of exiles. As our rights to live with dignity and honor in our place of birth has been snatched away by militants. The government of India has been a mute spectator to the cleansing and genocide of Kashmiri pandits, Chrangoo said. He emphasized that militant violence could not be justified on the ground of its political and ideological motivations or value bases Militants violence in the Kashmir valley is not a freedom struggle at all. There can be no freedom which impinges upon others freedom.
Several other NGOs highlighted the plight of minorities in Pakistan and told the UN Human Rights Commission that religious extremism represents a genuine threat to the security of nations, stability of institutions and peace among people.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 25, 1994
