27 yrs on, J&K Assembly seeks ‘respectable’ return of Pandits

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 19

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed a resolution seeking the “respectable” return of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley. As suggested by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Speaker Kavinder Gupta moved the resolution which was passed by the House unanimously through voice vote.

Kashmiri Pandits are observing the 27th anniversary of their exodus, holding functions in Jammu and elsewhere. Post-insurgency (January 19, 1990), approximately 3.5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits and some Sikh and Muslim families have migrated to Jammu and other parts of the country. 

The announcement of several incentives, including employment, has failed to ensure their return to the Valley. Three massacres and several uprisings between 2008 and 2016 have kept them away.

As the House assembled this morning, Omar stood up to apprise the members that it had been 27 years since the Kashmiri Pandits had fled Kashmir under “unfortunate” circumstances. “We should rise above politics and pass a resolution for their return,” he suggested.

The Speaker appreciated his concern and asked the MLAs to back him. However, Independent legislator Engineer Rashid contended that words alone could not bring the Kashmiri Pandits back and that concrete efforts were required. 

At the end of the question hour, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri requested the Speaker to move a resolution, which was passed without any opposition.

Since 1990, Kashmiri Pandits observe January 19 as “Holocaust Day”. Separatists and some mainstream groups are opposing setting up of transit accommodation for Pandits as part of their return to the Valley.