Kashmiri Pandits seek end to ‘political orphanhood’

Describing themselves as “political orphans” and the “new untouchables”, displaced Kashmiri Pandits residing in Jagti township and surrounding camps have accused political parties of exploiting their plight during elections while failing to provide a roadmap for their dignified return and rehabilitation.

“Used by everyone, represented by none, this is the real tragedy,” advocate Vishva Ranjan Pandita, a resident of Jagti camp, said, alleging that political parties including the National Conference, Congress, PDP and BJP have repeatedly promised the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley in their election manifestos.

“Every election brings promises, manifestos and speeches in our name. Every party claims to stand with our pain of forced displacement, but once the votes are counted, our issues disappear,” he said.

Pandita said the community needs a concrete, time-bound plan covering return, rehabilitation, livelihood, property rights and long-term security rather than repeated assurances.

Tito Ganju, chairman of Panun Kashmir, said the core grievance of the displaced community was that it was remembered by political parties mainly during election cycles.

“Kashmiri Pandits may have been made political orphans, but we are not destined to remain political orphans. We are the indigenous bearers of Kashmir’s civilisational memory,” Ganju said.

He alleged that political disenfranchisement had rendered the displaced community “politically persona non grata” in its present places of residence. Ganju also raised concerns over displaced persons being required to vote in Kashmir despite being ordinarily resident in Jammu, Delhi or elsewhere, arguing that this limits their effective electoral voice in their current constituencies.

“We did not abandon our constituencies; genocide drove us out,” he said, adding that displacement should not result in political erasure.

According to election data, 1,13,873 Kashmiri migrant electors were registered across the Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituencies during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The figure comprised 56,290 males, 57,582 females and one transgender voter, compared with around 99,000 in 2019 and 92,000 in 2014.

Some community leaders alleged that political representatives had encouraged migrants to transfer their votes to their places of origin in Kashmir, calling it another step towards political marginalisation.

Academician Dileep Kumar Kaul termed Kashmiri Pandits “real political orphans”, attributing their political marginalisation to the weakening of their collective agency over generations.

Community leaders said any political process concerning Kashmir’s future would remain incomplete without the participation of Kashmiri Pandits.

Social activist Bhushan Lal Bhat said the community should not be viewed merely as victims awaiting rehabilitation. Community leader Kuldeep Raina said the displacement represented a political rupture rather than merely a humanitarian crisis.

“It is a political rupture. Any serious attempt to resolve Kashmir must therefore restore the political space, security, and dignity of Kashmiri Pandits,” Raina said.

Community members also expressed frustration over what they described as decades of administrative neglect, citing deteriorating infrastructure, delays in employment and unfulfilled rehabilitation commitments.

“Lord Ram’s ‘Vanwas’ ended after 14 years, but we have been away from our homes for the past 36 years, and there seems no end to our miseries,” activist Sunil Pandita said.

He alleged that the government had failed to fill the 6,000 migrant posts announced in 2009, while housing for employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s package in the Valley remained incomplete.

Pandita said the community could not be expected to live indefinitely on promises and called for political accountability and a clear roadmap for its return and rehabilitation.