By Kartik Lokhande
The latest round of protests by
Kashmiri Pandits in New Delhi is understandable. For, this community has been
nursing deep wounds on its psyche since their exodus from their homeland --
Kashmir -- when Pakistan-backed terrorism and secessionist forces were both at
their peaks in the Valley.
If any pogrom or ethnic cleansing
or genocide that failed to attract serious International attention, it is of
Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland. They were literally driven out of their
homeland, and forced to flee to Jammu or Delhi or other parts of India.
Pakistan-backed militants raped women, killed men and women alike, destroyed or
usurped their houses and businesses. Those who lingered back with a hope that
situation would change soon, were literally asked to leave or die through
pro-secessionist newspapers and through pamphlets and loudspeaker
announcements. Still, when some stayed back and the Central Government of that
time decided to take some notice of the issue, they were forced to live in
ghettos called ‘refugee’ camps.
And, hence, the protests of
Kashmiri Pandits pressing for their safe return to Kashmir is understandable.
For, for several years, they have nurtured only one dream -- of returning to
their homeland, of regaining the warmth of the soil their forefathers tilled.
For, they realise that the half-hearted efforts of their rehabilitation by the
previous Governments did not guarantee their safety. For, whenever they tried
to return to Kashmir, believing in the promises made by the previous
Governments, militants unleashed terror. For, militants and Jihadis targeted
them. For, their human rights were violated brazenly. For, none of the
champions of human rights and civil rights came to their rescue.
Successive Governments in Jammu
and Kashmir promised rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, but those proved to be
hoaxes. These Governments, interested more in serving the interests of
Pakistan-backed militant forces and willfully succumbing to pressure of
secessionists, kept talking of rehabilitation of Pandits but converted crammed ‘refugee’
camps into dwelling houses while declaring assets of driven-away Pandits as ‘public
property’. These Governments neglected the atrocities against, and killings of,
Pandits and as soon as Pandits were forced into exodus from the Valley, offered
the Government employment to the other inhabitants of the Valley. Instead of
punishing the killers of Pandits, these Governments rewarded them with
different sops.
As per some estimates, around
four lakh Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homes. As per the detailed
data compiled by various organisations of Kashmiri Pandits, over 10,000 of
their homes and more than 500 of their temples were destroyed. Shockingly, none
of national or International bodies dared to intervene. Despite systematic
attempts at changing the demography of an Indian state that has been given the
status of ‘disputed territory’ internationally due to follies of Indian leaders
soon after the country gained Independence, none of the so-called ‘world
leaders’ supported the Pandits. Leave alone the ‘world leaders’, even the
previous Governments that placed appeasement politics above national interest
ignored the strategic and national security implications of the genocide of
Kashmiri Pandits.
And, the results are for all to
see today. Newly sworn-in Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed thanked Pakistan
for peaceful conduct of elections in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani
flags are being openly waved in the rallies of separatist leaders, indicating
that demographic change effected through systematic genocide and exodus of
Kashmiri Pandits has reached a level when separatist forces are openly backing
their Pakistani masters. When the present-day Government of BJP-PDP warned of
action against those waving Pakistani flags, hardline separatist leaders of
Hurriyat Conference ‘claimed’ that waving of Pakistani flags ‘did not
constitute a criminal offence’. In fact, Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar made a
statement in Srinagar that waving of Pakistani flag was ‘nothing new’ and that ‘whenever
Pakistan cricket team won a match, the flags were waved and fire-crackers were burst’.
What does this indicate? Isn't it an impact of flushing out of the Pandits from the Valley?
The issue of terrorism has spread to other parts of India today with ‘Azadi’ (read,
secession) of Kashmir being the focal point. Had there been timely action to
save Kashmiri Pandits, and see that militants were flushed out, common Hindus
and Muslims of Kashmir would have continued to co-exist peacefully in the ‘Paradise
on Earth’. The timely action to stop genocide of Pandits and preserving the
rich Hindu-Muslim mix of Kashmiriyat would have ensured that terrorism was nipped
in the bud. Sadly, it did not happen.
Of course, these developments are
hurting the Kashmiri Pandits, who preserved Indianness in Jammu and Kashmir for
ages till scores of them fell victims to genocide. With the new Government
taking over at the Centre and some good beginning being made in Jammu and
Kashmir, the hopes of Kashmiri Pandits have been revived once again. But, given
the past experience, they are a bit apprehensive. Hence, their demand for ensuring
their safe return to their homeland is justified.
For, their love for Kashmir is undeterred.
For, they still hope to celebrate ‘next Shivratri’ in their homeland.
(04-05-15)
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