For more than three decades, the victim Kashmiri Pandit community has lived in exile, carrying the scars of displacement, humiliation, and betrayal. Every successive government, whether in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir or at the Centre, has repeatedly promised justice, dignified return, and rehabilitation. Yet, every promise has collapsed under the weight of hollow words, political tokenism, and deliberate neglect.

Kashmiri Pandits had always expected a safe and honorable return to their land of Kashyap with full protection of life, property, culture, and faith. Instead, their expectations were reduced to mere slogans, election manifestos, and photo-op announcements. Not a single comprehensive policy guaranteeing safety, political empowerment, and sustainable livelihood was ever implemented.

The political rights of the community were not restored; instead, Kashmiri Pandits were restricted to a symbolic vote bank. No constitutional safeguards, no reserved constituencies, and no effective representation were provided. They were simply expected to cast their votes for parties that neither represented their pain nor addressed their aspirations.

Economically too, the governments failed. Relief holders continued to survive on a meagre and insulting monthly relief amount, grossly insufficient to feed a family in today’s economy. Demands for enhancement and financial assistance were ignored, while thousands of crores were spent on cosmetic packages that benefitted no one. The Prime Minister’s employment package, though announced with much fanfare, turned into a cruel joke, as its implementation was faulty, postings unsafe, and accommodations fragile, now even cracking under the slightest tremor.

The spiritual and cultural identity of Kashmiri Pandits was left to decay. Sacred shrines, temples, and heritage sites were abandoned and encroached upon. No serious steps were taken to protect or restore these symbols of existence. Centuries-old temples were desecrated and looted, while governments preferred to remain silent and look away.

On the security front, the failure was equally disastrous. Kashmiri Pandits expected protection from targeted killings, yet they were left vulnerable and exposed. Prime Minister’s package employees and minority community members continued to face attacks, forcing many once again to flee from Kashmir. Instead of ensuring foolproof security, the administration chose to shift blame and suppress the protests of those crying for justice.

The contradictions between what Kashmiri Pandits expected and what the governments delivered are glaring. They expected return and rehabilitation with dignity at one place to settle together as a community to share their own values, culture, religion etc , but they got only empty packages without ground implementation. They expected political empowerment, but they were reduced to symbolic gestures without representation. They expected safety and security, but they faced targeted killings and fear. They expected preservation of culture and shrines, but they witnessed neglect, encroachment, and destruction. They expected adequate relief and economic dignity, but they were forced into poverty with a meagre amount and broken promises of support.and even some victims Kashmiri were ignored with relief.

The harsh truth remains that both the UT administration and the Central Government failed to understand that the Kashmiri Pandit issue is not a question of a few jobs or relief cheques. It is a matter of identity, survival, justice, and rightful place in history. Instead of providing a roadmap for resettlement, the governments chose to exploit Kashmiri Pandits as political pawns. Instead of empowering them, they humiliated them with step-motherly treatment.

For thirty-five long years, the community has lived in exile, waiting for justice. Yet justice remains delayed, diluted, and denied. If India is truly the world’s largest democracy, then why does it fail to provide justice to its own indigenous, peace-loving, patriotic Kashmiri Pandit minority? If the governments can spend crores on development projects and cosmetic packages, why is it impossible to give displaced Kashmiri Pandits their rightful political, social, and cultural rights?

The governments must answer why expectations were betrayed, why exile was prolonged, and why silence was preferred over justice. Until these questions are addressed honestly, one truth will remain loud and clear: the UT and Central Governments have failed miserably in their duty towards the victim Kashmiri Pandit community.

[Kundan Kashmiri]
Kashmir Watcher & President, Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC)
Email: kundankashmiri@gmail.com
Mobile: 880 2167955