Jammu: The release of the BJP manifesto at Jammu has brought immense disappointment and a deep sense of betrayal to the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. For years, Kashmiri Pandits, wrongly tagged as “migrants” rather than as internally displaced persons, have placed their hopes in the promises of the government, expecting tangible actions toward justice, rehabilitation, and recognition. Unfortunately, the BJP’s manifesto has proven to be nothing more than a routine exercise in hollow rhetoric, much like the manifestos of other political parties that have ignored the plight of our community.
One of the most demoralizing moments was watching India’s most powerful Home Minister, Amit Shah, deflect and twist the truth during an interview with Aaj Tak in Jammu. He falsely claimed that the land and property cases of displaced Kashmiri Pandits had been settled, with either payments being made or properties returned to their rightful owners. This is a far cry from reality. Neither has the land been returned nor have the compensation claims been settled .. The pain and struggle of displaced Kashmiri Pandits continue, and yet the government speaks of a resolution that is nowhere close to the truth.
Moreover, it is disheartening that the Honorable Home Minister dodged questions on the misuse of the term “migrants.” The Kashmiri Pandit community, which was brutally forced out of the Valley, deserves to be recognized as internally displaced persons, yet this crucial issue remains unaddressed. No benefits have been extended to us under the banner of “internally displaced,” as claimed by the Home Minister. The truth is stark: the government has failed to acknowledge the severity of our displacement.
The claim that 6,000 Kashmiri Pandit families have been “settled” in the Valley is misleading. While around 6,000 Prime Minister’s package employees have been posted in the Valley for employment purposes, this cannot be equated with permanent settlement. Their presence in the Valley is fragile, and they continue to live under constant threat, fear, and uncertainty. The rehabilitation and employment are two different issues.
What is most demoralizing is the complete absence of any mention of a “Single and secure settlement “for displaced Kashmiri Pandits, nothing about enhance of substantial amount of relief to KP relief holders, nothing was mentioned about economical rehabilitation of overage youths, nothing mentioned about one time financial help and compensations of our losses in valley,nothing was mentioned about
passage of temple and shrine Bill, issues and other issued in the manifesto. This omission is glaring, and it shows the central government’s continued neglect of the fundamental demand for a dignified and safe rehabilitation plan.
Additionally, while there are talks of issuing a white paper on terrorism, the failure to recognize the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits and their suffering as victims of ethnic cleansing is both insulting and tragic.
While we acknowledge that manifestos are often filled with empty promises, but the complete stripping away of even those promises reveals the BJP’s true priorities and intsentions. A party that fails to commit fully to the justice and dignity of its people, even in rhetoric, deserves neither our trust nor our allegiance.
To those who continue to follow the BJP blindly, we ask—–“is this really the future you want for our victim displaced community which sacrificed everything for nation”?
[Kundan Kashmiri]
President ,Kashmiri Pandit Conference & solider of ASKPC.
Mobile No.880 2167955
