DH NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, jun 15
The Panun Kashmir on Monday strongly criticised the recent conclave of NRI Kashmiri Pandits held in Srinagar following a heritage tour, alleging that the government-sponsored event sought to dilute the community’s long-standing political aspirations and misrepresent the realities faced by the community.
The Panun Kashmir, a leading organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, said the NRI group lacked any representative character and could not speak on behalf of the displaced community, accusing the conclave participants of promoting a narrative of “normalcy” in Kashmir while ignoring the continued concerns of “displaced families, Prime Minister Package employees and genocide survivors”.
The first community-led Global Kashmiri Pandit Heritage Tour and Conclave, titled Praagaash (The First Light), was held in Srinagar from June 6 to 14 and attended by distinguished personalities of the Pandit community from India and abroad. The conclave adopted a resolution at the conclusion, outlining a roadmap for justice, rehabilitation, cultural preservation and the dignified return of the migrant community to the valley.
Addressing a press conference here, Panun Kashmir convener Agnishekhar questioned claims that the situation in Kashmir had fundamentally changed, citing security concerns faced by Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley.
He claimed that the projection of normalcy was part of a broader attempt to showcase a “deceptive normalcy” while sidelining unresolved issues relating to the community’s displacement.
He also objected to statements suggesting there were no grievances against the local population, arguing that such remarks diluted the causes and consequences of the 1990 exodus and the killings of Kashmiri Pandits.
“Any discussion on reconciliation must be preceded by recognition of the genocide, delivery of justice and restitution to victims,” Agnishekhar, who was flanked by other prominent leaders of the group including Advisor P Lal Kaul, said.
He alleged that the conclave was facilitated by the Lt Governor-led administration and described it as a government-sponsored exercise aimed at weakening the community’s political demands.
It criticised proposals for the formation of another apex body for Kashmiri Pandits, claiming similar initiatives in the past had yielded no tangible results.
The group asserted that heritage was not limited to temples and religious sites but also included the suffering and displacement experienced by thousands of Kashmiri Pandit families living in camps and elsewhere outside the valley.
Agnishekhar accused successive governments of raising the Kashmiri Pandit issue during elections while failing to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation policy.
It also criticised Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for calling upon community members to invest in Kashmir without first addressing demands for justice, restitution and recognition.
Reaffirming its position, he said the creation of a separate homeland for Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir remains the only viable political solution for the community.
“Panun Kashmir continues to be the sole geopolitical voice articulating the aspirations of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and rejects any formulation that seeks to dilute the community’s struggle and demands,” he said.
