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| Srinagar BJP candidate lands up in Delhi to seek votes from Kashmiri Pandits | | | New Delhi
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Delhi were up for a pleasant surprise when a Lok Sabha candidiate from Jammu and Kashmir knocked at their doors. The man was Khalid Jehangir, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate from Srinagar constituency. He interacted with the community over the weekend, assuring them of the party's promises.
Approximately 4,000 Hindus who fled from Kashmir still have voting rights in the Valley but largely remain ignored as a vote base. This was possibly the first time a candidate travelled to Delhi seeking their votes.
Sadly, not more than 40 Kashmiri Pandits reportedly registered to vote in the National Capital due to lack of awareness about availability of the M (Migrant) Form. A request has been sent to Election Commission to extend the deadline but no response arrived till Monday evening.
Srinagar goes to elections on April 18, the second phase of polling.
Series of meetings organized by Jehangir left many overwhelmed with emotion.
At the peak of militancy in Kashmir, Rakesh Razdan had left Srinagar on February 13, 1990 and settled in Delhi. He ensured not to surrender his voting card of Ganpatyar, Srinagar.
"I never gave up my voting and residence rights in Kashmir, even though no leader from Valley bothers about us. I was surprised to see a well-read man, approaching us and listening to our grievances. He seemed reasonable," said Razdan, now residing in Shalimar Garden.
Sanjay Kachroo was taken aback when he was requested to arrange a gathering to meet a Kashmiri leader.
"Never before did a contender for Parliament express an intention to talk to us. At least he displayed an effort. Our main problem this election was that many people missed the deadline to submit forms. We now await a response for an extension.
"The community here is eager to vote for Kashmir, which is our identity. Jehangir suggested the possibility of a temporary stay for us in the Valley."
Some Kashmiri Pandits were agitated over bureaucratic hassles that cause inconvenience to cast the ballot. They conveyed disappointment over political inaction for the minority community.
"I was glad a leader finally reached out to our community but it was too late. Deadline to fill M-form is over and we are simply exhausted with constant checks to renew our names. Each year, our names are struck off from the list and we need to head to the Election office to apply. Who has so much time during office hours? A leader finally came to us and I could not even fill the form," said Sanjay Bhat, now residing in Mayur Vihar.
Bhat adds that Jehangir made no lofty declarations but during an informal conversation "assured he will do what it takes for the Migrant community". He made no grand promise of rehabilitation but asserted support for their voice to reach appropriate platforms, irrespective of victory or loss.
BJP, meanwhile, in its manifesto has mentioned a rehabilitation promise to Kashmiri Pandits.
Khalid Jehangir, a former journalist with an international news channel, joined the BJP in 2014. Narendra Modi had officially introduced him at a public rally in Jammu. He was recently announced as Srinagar candidate for Lok Sabha. The contender against him is National Conference patron, Dr. Farooq Abdullah - a frontrunner in polls. Jehangir has been busy campaigning in Srinagar amid serious threats against him. He says his reason to meet the exiled Pandits was to "tell them the BJP cares about Kashmiris beyond religion".
"Pakistan creates militants and stone pelters out of Kashmiris. India, instead, can make peace ambassadors and unite communities. Only BJP can provide better opportunities and hope to Kashmiri youth. I visited Pandits to let them know I remember them and will help them whether I win this election or not. That could be a start for peace and unity in Kashmir," signed off Jehangir before returning to Jammu and Kashmir.
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