news details |
|
|
| Pandit leadership upset; mock J&K Govt's claim, call it 'extremely hostile' | | Home Ministry refuses IDP status to KPs | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
Jammu, Jan 25: Kashmiri Pandits are shocked over Union Home Ministry's denial to declare them as 'Internally displaced Persons (IDPs)'.
They have expressed regret and dismay over Union Home Ministry's refusal to accept recommendations of the high-powered Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs. By outrightly declining to refer Kashmiri Pandits as 'internally Displaced Persons', Union Home Ministry has seemingly refused to accept exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir valley as akin to genocide, as has been described by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
If the State Government is 'hostile' towards us, the Government in New Delhi is in denial mode, say the Kashmiri Pandits in unison. "It is not a question of nomenclature but about the rights of a minority which has been bearing pain and agony of being refugees in their own land. They are in denial that a community was forced to leave by fundamentalists who wanted merger of Kashmir with Pakistan," said President of Panun Kashmir Ashwani Churangoo.
Regarding Home Ministry's referral to NHRC to substantiate its argument of not terming Kashmiri Pandits as 'Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)', Churangoo said that the commission has said much more than what the Ministry has been talking about. "They have seemingly taken out certain portions from the opinion of NHRC to justify their stance vis-a-vis Kashmiri Pandits," said Churangoo.
Government of India has failed to craft a distinct policy on Kashmir, said Churangoo while adding that there is actually policy paralysis in New Delhi. "We have been asking for this status since long but to no avail. Our sufferings would come down considerably if the Government accept our demand and recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee," added the Panun Kashmir leader.
When asked about Jammu and Kashmir Government, Churangoo said that its attitude has been highly 'hostile' towards them and their issues. Another KP leader Dr. Ajay Churangoo also said that by refusing Kashmiri Pandits what is their right, both the State and the Central Governments are denying genocide which took place in Valley in the year 1990 and thereafter.
"Denial of justice amounts to crime. Union Ministry used 'Genocide of Kashmiri Pandits' term internationally to justify their stance on Kashmir but when it comes to giving us our rights, they refuse to even accept that we are 'Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)." Regarding State Government, Churangoo said, "Omar Abdullah led regime has remained extremely hostile towards Kashmiri Pandits. This regime has completely forgotten that there is a displaced community called Kashmiri Pandits."
This is worst insult of Kashmiri Pandit community that Union Home Ministry has declined to accept recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, which had prepared a comprehensive report and sought immediate implementation of recommendations made by it, said Convenor of Roots in Kashmir (RIK) Veerji Saproo. Calling it treachery, Saproo said "We did not wish to leave out homeland but we forced. If the Government does not understand difference between 'Migrant' and 'Internally Displaced', then it would be better for them not to come to us to seek votes for Assembly and Parliamentary elections."
On the contrary, National Conference (NC) leader and ex-Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya said that terms hardly make sense till the time; they do not benefit common Kashmiri Pandits. "Internally displaced or migrants won't make much of difference if the Governments, be it in New Delhi or here are not forced to take up implementation of various schemes for KPs on war-footing basis. Kashmiri Pandit leadership should unite and ensure that common KP gets what is meant for him," added Bakaya. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
