Kashmir Watcher & President, Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) & Soldier of ASKPC.
As the political wheels turn in preparation for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, it becomes imperative to confront the stark reality, this democratic exercise holds no significance for the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. For over 35 years, we have endured the pain of exile, the sting of neglect, and the deep-seated alienation from our ancestral land. Today, as the political elite seeks our votes, we must ask, what have they done to deserve our trust?
The tragic irony of these elections is evident. We, the Kashmiri Pandits, were violently uprooted from our homes in the 1990s, forced to scatter across the country. Despite the passage of more than three decades, the core issues that caused our displacement remain unaddressed. Successive governments have failed us, no secure environment has been created for our return, ,our blue print of one place settlement in Kashmir valley, no significant efforts have been made to heal the wounds of our socio-economic and psychological trauma. Yet, political parties now shamelessly appeal for our votes, pretending to care about our plight while offering no concrete solutions.
How can these elections be relevant to a Kashmiri Pandit community that no longer resides in the Kashmir Valley, a region from which we have been excluded? The notion that we should participate in an electoral process in a land where our voices are silenced is an affront to democratic values. The truth is, our participation in these elections will yield nothing but hollow promises. The constituencies in the Valley, once our home, are now occupied by others. The funds allocated for these areas benefit the current residents, not us. The elected representatives, regardless of their party affiliation, will have no incentive to champion the rights of our community that has been absent from the Valley for decades.
This begs the question, Why should we, the displaced Kashmiri Pandits, engage in a process that offers us nothing? Voting in these elections will not bring us closer to justice, nor will it address our long-standing demands for our consolidated rehabilitation. The upcoming elections are meaningless for us, and it is high time that the political establishment acknowledges this harsh truth.
Instead of making empty gestures, political parties must confront the real issues facing our displaced community. They must work toward creating conditions for our safe and dignified return to our land of Kashyap. They must provide adequate compensation for the losses we have endured and implement policies that ensure our long-term rehabilitation at one place to allow arbigenies of Kashmir,the Kashmiri Pandits to live together as community with all constitutional and institutional rights. .Only then can they rightfully ask for our participation in the democratic process.
In these critical times, we must also be vigilant against those within and out side our community who seek to exploit our situation for their political gain. The ambitions of a few power-hungry individuals should never overshadow the collective welfare of the Kashmiri Pandit community. We must remain united in our pursuit of justice, dignity, and the preservation of our identity. Our votes should be cast with the future of our entire community in mind, not for the narrow interests of those few who see our suffering as a stepping stone to personal power.
In conclusion, the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are a stark reminder of the disconnect between the political class and the realities faced by the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. As long as our voices remain unheard, our rights ignored, and our aspirations unmet, these elections will continue to be an exercise in futility. It is time for our community to recognize this and refuse to be swayed by empty promises and false hopes. Let us not allow ourselves to be misled by political parties or self-serving elements within our own ranks. Our struggle is not for votes, but for justice, dignity, and the restoration of our rightful place in the land of our ancestors.
“This write up is wakeup call for my who victim Kashmiri Pandits”
[ Kundan Kashmiri ]
Kashmir Watcher & President Kashmiri Pandit Conference ( KPC)
kundankashmiri@gmail.com
Mobile No.880 2167955
