JAMMU: Displaced Kashmiri Pandit community has reiterated its demand for minority status and safeguards under the State before the 300,000 members of this ethnic sect return (o the valley,
The two-day convention of Kashmiri pandits from all States here declared that the community had to leave the Valley because of the ‘wrong’ policies of the Central Government since 1947.
The political resolution passed at the impressive convention said Kashmiri pandits will never give up their inalienable right to go back and live in peace, security and dignity in the land of their ancestors.
It asked Kashmiri Muslims to realize that their existence, future, progress and prosperity would be incomplete without Kashmiri pandits playing their political, social and historical role.
However, there could be no return to normality unless there was reversal in the pan-Islamic perceptions with regard to Muslim dominated areas and eradication of gun culture, bloodshed and violence unleashed by the Pakistan backed insurgency in the Valley. The convention projected nine demands, To save the property and houses of Kashmiri pandits, the conference has demanded creation of a custodian for Hindu properties immediately, More than 4,000 house belonging to the community have been looted, ransacked and set on fire so far.
The conference has sought adequate representation in any future set-up created to solve the Kashmir issue and allocation of Assembly seat in each district of the Valley, besides representation in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by nomination.
Expressing surprise over pursuance of the old discriminatory policies towards the community. It said the Kashmiri pandits had been denied rightful representation in the State Advisory Council and District Advisory Boards.
The conference urged the Center to issue a white paper regarding insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. Such a step would pin-point the people and policies which brought Kashmir to the present state.
In its economic resolution, the convention referred to the deliberately complicated relief disbursement procedures, deplorable conditions of refugee camps in Jammu, Delhi and other places and denial of ration to genuine migrants,
The non-service class, particularly the traders, farmers, private employees and orchardists were the hardest hit, the conference said. No bank and financial institution is ready to assist them start their trade afresh.
The total apathy of the State Education Department and Kashmir University has marred the career of thousands of Kashmiri Pandit students and teachers. Private colleges, belonging to the community, have been denied assistance and starved of crores of rupees worth of grant-in aid.
While thousands of posts belonging to Kashmiri pandits in the Valley have been filled by Muslims, no youth from the community has been absorbed in the State or Central services in the past three years.
Moreover, most of the 3,000 employees of the minority community, who have retired, have been denied retirement benefits and pension.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 16, 1992
