Restitution-Fair and Sure

Raast Guftar  

Concern about the prevailing difficult situation in Kashmir and how it agonisingly impacts on the beleagured Kashmiri Pandits, is but natural. They have suffered physically, mentally and materially and generally see no early end to their ordeal; while some "have resigned to the fact that Kashmir is lost for ever". It is readily agreed that the present conditions are not conducive to safe, peaceful and orderly abode for members of this minority in the Valley. A large number of them have been martyred. They have lost their homes, their lands, their businesses and their avocations, and their places of work and worship, for no fault of theirs.

Despite all these depredations and mayhem, many are confident that the situation is NOT irretrievable. They believe that India and its leadership (in or out of power) even under the worst of conditions, can never allow Kashmir to break away. Otherwise cataclysmic turmoil within India and serious geo- political cum military complications and international repercussions would follow.

Reflecting on the chequered history of the Kashmiri Pandits, they have over the epochs demonstrated a sustained tenacity to arise afresh from their ashes like a phoenix. They may be down but not out, appear to be damned but not doomed. But they need to renew their faith and their determination, that the community is not racing towards its extinction and their precious heritage would be preserved, beyond their individual survival. A symbolical indication is perceptible in the valiant and resolute stand taken by a number of them, who have not forsaken their hearths and homes and the land of their forefathers, even under perilous and appalling conditions and stick it out in Kashmir, against all odds.

The road may be long and arduous, but victory over evil insurrection and diabolical inhumanities must and will be won. Incidentally, the interest and support of the overseas brethren has been most heart-warming and this needs to be enlarged, made vocal and directed through influential socio-political ginger groups for greater effectiveness, with terrorism and fundamentalism as prime targets.

Meanwhile consternation, deprivation, hardships and shock are faced by the few still in the Valley. as well as by those who have migrated out. The latter, though physically safe, are miserable and oppressed, because of dislocation, lack of suitable accommodation and means of livelihood, paucity of medical or educational facilities, coupled with psychological problems, aggravated by absence of effective short-term programmes and long-term plans for their relief and rehabilitation. Though some measures have been taken and half-heartedly implemented at the official and unofficial levels, these are painfully quite inadequate. Their anxiety to remain close to Kashmir, for eventual return under auspicious circumstances to the Valley, is understandable.

If what was done by the then Ministry of Relief & Rehabilitation for the 1947 refugees, were expeditiously followed by the authorities for our migrants and resident victims of Kashmir, the redress could be gratifying. We hope that the concerned central and state authorities would reactivate themselves sympathetically, into effective units, for the sake of these victimised Indians.

The Kashmiri Pandits have, in the interim, to steal their hearts, forge exemplary unity, display courage of conviction and abundant patience, strive hard and incessantly to pull themselves out of adversity and move from insignificance to significance. They need to remain cautious against voluntary self-liquidation, under any pretext. The present is yet another test for their trials and tribulations and they must and will come out triumphant, and be assured of restitution, fair and square.

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Courtesy:-  Raast Guftar and  February 1992, Koshur Samachar