Editor's Mail   Return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley

Piaray Lal Koul   

Dear Sir,

A turning point has now come for the Kashmiri Pandits to decide finally about their secure and honourable future. Any talk of return to the Valley poses a natural question. Return for what? Humiliation, insults and random killings? On whose guarantee, trust and faith? Those who conceal the truth are only trying to please and appease the religious zealots and fundamentalists. Gone are the days of that Kashmiriyat, the essence of which was tranquillity and brotherhood. The administration in general from the grass-root level upwards is under the command of those who do not like the return of Pandits. The Pandits are not after all a belt service people nor a martial race. Enlightened no doubt but weak and meak community, victims of their own nature, have to finally decide about their permanent settlement after a long wait of seven years. If they decide to return to the Valley, they have to settle in far off places, in rural areas in the ratio of 1:3000. So they will have to think twice. The strong influence of the foreign mercenaries-agencies like Pakistanis, Afghans, Sudanis, Iranians, Chechanians and many others who will never bear with the Pandits, known as Indian agents in the Valley. Then there are many other factors of irritation like land and orchard grabbing. The forcible and illegal occupation of Hindu houses, shops, business establishments and the employees adjusted on posts of pandits, promoted and elevated. All these elements shall feel uneasy with their interests at stake. Much is said about the change in the situation which actually is deceptive. The inner hearts of the people have not changed, much-talked about new political scenarios in the Valley has no meaning for the returning pandits. A very small section of enlightened and tolerant people in the Valley along with a handful of peace loving people with a traditional approach, have become redundant for the younger generation-the hard liners, the crusaders and the liberators.

India's position vis-a-vis Kashmir is not weak as it stands established by the experience gained during the last seven years. India is politically more strong than militarily as far as the Kashmir question stands. The KPS can return to Kashmir only when the Kashmir problem is resolved finally to the entire satisfaction of all concerned parties and people. It is very strange that the Kashmir problem has all along been projected academically instead of adopting a down to earth approach. If this does not happen, then pandits should never take risk as it is not worth the game for them now. Pandits have materially, morally and mentally suffered a lot and nobody bothered to meet their basic and essential requirements during the period of exile. So in future as well nobody will bother for them. The KP cause has no significance for the ruling elites insofar as appeasement of vote banks alone ensures their victory at the hustings. The K Ps. should not for the sake of "return" consider going back to Kashmir without considering all the pros and cons. It will be appropriate to mention here that Parsis who had to leave Iran consequent upon their persecution, came to India and flourished. Had they been in two minds like Pandits, they would have gone into oblivion Pandits have to understand that their existence or extinction depends upon how they react to inducements, threat or force to return to Kashmir. They owe it to their progeny to take a decision based on deep thought, scientific analysis and prudence and not on emotions or sentiments. So any move or attempt for their return is to be resisted with full might and strength until and unless Kashmir problem is finally resolved.

Yours truly

Piaray Lal Koul  

Jammu-180001

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The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.           

Courtesy:   Koshur Samachar, November, 1996