A Strong Joint Demonstration was held today on the 29th Holocaust Day of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community at Jammu. The day is observed by the displaced community every year in remembrance of what was done to it 28 years ago on 19-20 January night in the valley of Kashmir. A large number of activists of the community assembled at outside the Raj Bhawan at 10 AM and sat on a Sit-in-Protest outside the Governor’s Office, Jammu. The Demonstrators, men and women, raised slogans against the fundamentalist-terrorist combine in Kashmir castigating them for Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing of the Pandit and Sikh community from the valley in 1989-90. The activists also raised slogans in favour of Bharat Mata and the Indian Ethos. The activists wore special white robes and held placards depicting mass exodus and ethnic cleansing of the community. The activists from various parts of the city and the Jagti Township participated in the programme. Those who addressed the demonstrators included S/Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President, Panun Kashmir, Adv. Ravinder Raina, President, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Swami Kumar ji, Chandji Bhat, President, BJP Displaced Unit District President, Vinod Pandit, President, APMCC, Rakesh Kaul. Sheila Handoo, BJP leader, Kusum Lata, Virender Kaul, T K Bhat and Kamal Bagati.
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President, Panun Kashmir in his address on the occasion said that Kashmiri Pandit community cannot afford to ignore the scars of history and 19th January is an important date for the community to learn lessons for the future. We are deeply rooted in the ethos of Kashmir as a living civilization and the Kashmiri Pandits have an inalienable right on the land of Kashmir. There can be no compromise on the issue of our claim as the rightful stakeholders to the land of Kashmir. Homeland demand depicts the core geo-political aspirations of the displaced community and it is the Margdarshan resolution that has a complete blue print available for the resettlement of the community back in Kashmir. He appealed to the government of India to set up a Special Crimes Tribunal in context of the crimes committed against the minorities in Kashmir and book those responsible for the heinous crimes. We demand that the governments at the Centre and the State should initiate a serious dialogue process with the representatives of the KP community in context of their resettlement in the valley.
Ravinder Raina, Adv, President of ASKPC laid emphasis on the survival issues of the community. He asked the government to settle the issue of one time settlement of the over aged youth of the community and urgently complete the process of the recruitment under PM’s package plan. He was critical of the government for its laxity regarding its approach towards the KP issues, be it ration, relief or bifurcation of ration cards. He said that there are no two opinions that the community is suffering for the last 28 years for no fault of its members. The community is the first victim of terrorism in Kashmir and need attention at all costs.
Swami Kumar ji in his address appealed to the people to show unity at all levels and be ready for the sacrifices in this regard. He demanded that the issue of the onetime settlement of the overaged youth needs urgent attention of the government. The issue could have been accommodated in the State budget along with the other welfare measures taken by the government for the employees, pensioners and the dependents of pensioners.
Chandji Bhat, President, BJP district displaced unit categorically said that the time has come for the Kashmiri Pandits to raise their voice for redressal of their issues loudly since there is a favorable government at the centre this time which has deep sympathies for the Kashmiri Pandits.
Vinod Pandit, President, APMCC vehemently advocated the issue of Sharda Yatra in the POK. He said that the Kashmiri Pandits have an equal right to make its demands known to the government and the people and need their redressal as well. He said that the Pandits will continue their struggle till our goals are met.
Shri Rakesh Kaul said that the Health Insurance issue also needs a review in order to accommodate all strata of the displaced society. The recruitment process under PM’s employment package which has been very slow by now also require urgent attention of the government and we urge that the legal hiccups in this connection should be amicably resolved. The Aadhar linkage with the ration cards should be deferred to the March 31st deadline as directed by the Supreme Court and the Central government.
Source : Press Release
