Displaced Kashmiri Pandits hold protest in Jammu, seek two-fold increase in relief amount

Led by the community leader Ravinder Koul, scores of protestors gathered at the Press Club Jammu, raising slogans and pressing for enhancement of relief in view of the rising inflation.

"For the past eight years, there has been no enhancement in the relief despite a steep rise in inflation. The assistance follows a fixed structure and no family receives more than around Rs 13,000 per month," Koul said, questioning how a family can sustain on such a meagre amount.

He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and ensure justice by increasing the relief to double the current amount.

Koul said there is a widespread misconception about the condition of Kashmiri Pandits receiving relief. "People, especially those living outside the Valley, believe that all Pandits are getting substantial support and living comfortably, which is not true," he said.

He clarified that the relief is limited to specific categories, including over-aged unemployed individuals, small businessmen and displaced agriculturists, while government employees and pensioners are not covered.

Highlighting the plight of over-aged unemployed individuals, he said many educated individuals who were in their 30s at the time of displacement have crossed the eligibility age for employment and continue to struggle without opportunities.

Koul said the community has repeatedly raised the issue with successive governments and the Union home ministry, but no concrete mechanism has been put in place so far.

"Our demand is simple - conduct a proper survey, assess the financial condition of such individuals and provide an economic rehabilitation package. We are not asking for unrealistic compensation but a dignified rehabilitation," he said.

The protestors said that despite decades of hardship and repeated assurances, issues related to enhancement of cash assistance and compensation remain unresolved.