*Demands roadmap for dignified return
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: On the 35th anniversary of their exodus, the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community across the country observed January 19 as a day of remembrance, demanding justice and a definitive roadmap for their safe and dignified return to their homeland. The community fled the Kashmir Valley in 1990 due to escalating Pakistan-backed terrorism, selective killings, and threats, leading to a mass migration to Jammu and other parts of India.
Numerous organizations, including Panun Kashmir, Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS), and Kashmir Pandit Sabha (KPS), hosted separate events to honor the victims and reaffirm their commitment to the community’s cause.
Youth 4 Panun observed the Day amidst a huge gathering at Jagti Township. The program “Chalo Jagti: Nishkasan Ka Dard” brought together Kashmiri Pandits, community leaders, youth and cultural icons in a powerful display of unity and determination. The Jagti Declaration, announced by Y4PK president Vithal Chowdhary, reaffirmed the community’s dedication to the Margdarshan Resolution 1991, advocating for the establishment of a Union Territory to ensure a safe and dignified return of KPs to their homeland. It called for formal recognition of the genocide, emphasizing justice, accountability, and remembrance.
The declaration also outlined initiatives to preserve Kashmiri Pandit culture through arts and literature, and raise global awareness about the community’s struggles through outreach and collaborations. The program concluded with Dr Kshama Kaul, joined by Chandra, Kailash Mehra Sadhu and other dignitaries, flagging off the Re-claimathon. This symbolic event marked a united call to action, inspiring efforts to reclaim the community’s homeland and preserve its cultural legacy.
A joint event organized by Panun Kashmir and Youth 4 Panun Kashmir featured a poignant photo exhibition at the Jagti settlement. The exhibition chronicled the hardships faced by the community during their displacement, with striking images depicting life in makeshift tents after their forced migration from the Valley.
“This day is a solemn reminder of our suffering, resilience, and unwavering demand for justice,” said a Panun Kashmir spokesperson. The organization also renewed its call for the creation of a separate homeland within Kashmir, underscoring it as a critical step towards ensuring the safety and cultural preservation of the community.
All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), led by its president Ravinder Pandita, met with Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, in New Delhi today to submit a memorandum on behalf of the KP community on the occasion of Exodus Day. During the meeting, AIKS presented a special issue of Naad, the organization’s mouthpiece, featuring stories on the Kashmiri Pandit exodus and highlighted the horrors of January 19, 1990, through placards reading “We still exist.” Discussions also included the AIKS case against the state (OWP No. 477/2016), which involves the Migrants Property Act and Distress Sale Act, pending adjudication due to the absence of a Solicitor General in J&K UT.
Ravinder Pandita, accompanied by office bearers including general secretary Sunil Koul, joint general secretary Ashish Zutshi and advisor Sanjay Sapru, discussed both short-term and long-term welfare issues for the community. The delegation emphasized the hardships faced by the displaced community and reiterated the need for prioritizing their rehabilitation in the valley alongside resolving immediate concerns. Dr Jitendra Singh commended the resilience of the KP community in rebuilding their lives across the country following the exodus.
All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) and Shree Sanatan Dharam Yuvak Sabha (SSDYS) organized a community meet at Muthi Camp (Jammu) to observe Holocaust Day. The meet, led by Sabha head Moti Lal Malla, brought together hundreds of community members, leaders, and activists to reflect on the atrocities suffered by KPs during their forced exodus, including brutal killings, rapes, arson, and ethnic cleansing. A heartfelt tribute was paid to community martyrs, accompanied by emotional speeches and slogans expressing the pain of decades in exile.
The attendees reiterated their demands for an honorable return and rehabilitation on their terms, as well as the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the genocide and displacement of seven lakh KPs. Concluding the event, participants marched toward Janipur Chowk, chanting slogans for justice and emphasizing the need for accountability and recognition of their struggles.
Separately, ASKPC organized a protest demonstration against pathetic attitude of the successive Governments at its office complex in Durga Nagar (Jammu) on Holocaust Day. Addressing the gathering, ASKPC president, R K Wangnoo said that 35 years have already passed but the Governments both at State and centre are behaving as mute spectators and not paying any attention towards permanent settlement of the displaced community.
The Day was commemorated by Kashmiri Samiti Delhi (KSD) by organizing a protest at Arya Samaj Temple premises in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. The tragic events of January 19, 1990 were revisited with pain and resolve. Speaking on the occasion, KSD president Sumeer Chrungoo expressed deep anguish over the lack of meaningful action to address the community’s suffering. He demanded acknowledgement of the genocide, accountability for the perpetrators and a roadmap for safe and dignified return to their homeland.
Kashmiri Khatri Hindu Maha Sabha held a meeting today at Jagti, Bohri and Durga Nagar in Jammu to observe Holocaust Day and commemorate the 35th anniversary of the mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the Kashmir Valley. Chairman Ramesh Chander Mahajan and members paid homage to the martyrs with a two-minute silence to honor their memory.
The Sabha urged the Government to expedite plans for the rehabilitation and permanent settlement of seven lakh displaced Kashmiri Hindus in a separate union region. They also demanded the implementation of the Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Bill and the establishment of a tribunal to investigate the exodus and hold anti-national perpetrators accountable.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) observed “Holocaust Day” today as Black Day. On the occasion, Kundan Kashmiri (president KPC) and others leaders expressed their disappointment over the fact that despite 36 years of having been made to live in exile, there is no light visible at the end of the tunnel. They urged upon the Union Government to set up tribunal to probe exodus and killing of KPs in 1990. They also expressed dismay for not giving heed towards the problem of displaced KP community youth, PM package employees as Relief holders.
Sashekt Nari Samelan organized an event in Gurgaon to commemorate the Holocaust Day of 1990, honoring the struggles and resilience of the Kashmiri Pandit community which brought together prominent voices advocating for their return to the Kashmir Valley.
Speaking at the occasion, senior advocate and Kashmiri Pandit leader Ashok Bhan made appeal for the return of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community to their ancestral homeland in the Kashmir Valley. Raj Nehru urged the Union Government and the J&K LG administration to prioritize restoring the physical and religious infrastructure of shrines and endowments left behind by the community.
Lady speakers, including Archana Dhar, Prof (Dr) Amita Malla Watal, Tanishka Kher, Ousha Kher, Dr Surbi Goyal and Sonal Naik among others highlighted the urgent need for the community to return to their roots.
The post Kashmiri Pandit migrant community observes 35th exodus anniversary appeared first on Daily Excelsior.