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| J&K approach akin to New Delhi, no change visible on ground | | Return and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits-II | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Jul 6: With union government unable to put in place proper policy for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits back in Kashmir valley, much has moved on papers but on ground, things continue to be where they were in 1990.
Ironically, while Babus in New Delhi reply more on inputs from left and right for framing policies, respective government in Jammu and Kashmir despite being on ground Zero have preferred taking dictation from New Delhi. No records are available to suggest that J&K government ever took steps on ground to create cordial atmosphere for return and rehabilitation of exiled Kashmir Pandits.
Of late, J&K government has also been unable to take concrete steps for changing the status-quo vis-à-vis return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Separatists have been making loud noises but their influence has not been of any help in preventing sell-out and encroachment of properties belonging to distressed Pandit community. They have not been forthcoming in even getting the encroachment through the following which they claim to have across Kashmir valley.
Abandoned houses in shambles, some razed to ground and some waiting a little shake of earth, orchards barren, locality vandalized and doors bearing marks of communal frenzy of 1990. Roads within the localities are nowhere to be seen. Four to five story buildings with magnificent Kashmiri architectural work are now described as haunted by villagers living close to these abandoned houses.
The multi-storeyed houses still bear tell tale signs of unforeseen exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir valley during 90’s and wale at continued reliance of government of India and also that of Jammu and Kashmir on an adhoc policy of taking Pandits back to their homes. Excellently crafted balconies seemed pleading with open for return of ones who would enhance its beauty with their presence.
Old Kashmiri Pandit man and women would chit-chat and spend moments of leisure on these brilliantly designed balconies. From Pulwama to Mattan to Anantnag to Jawahar Nagar in Srinagar to Habba Kadal to places in Baramullah, Shopian and Kulgam, houses belonging to Kashmiri Pandits are in dilapidated condition. A good number of temples are in good shape but more because of the presence of security apparatus.
Located at places where nature smiles upon every living being, these houses seemed cursing the establishment which has been spending crores on makeshift arrangements for Kashmir’s intellectual class. At village Haal (Hawal) in Pulwama district, an entire Kashmiri Pandit locality fled leaving behind their multi-storeyed houses and one odd Pandit family which had no means of running away from their birthplace.
Though the family faced no major issues among the abandoned houses during the last 21 years of militancy yet they lived like untouchables. Locals did stand alongside this lone family but panicky reaction of head of the family (an old lady in mid 70’s) explained all. “Who are you? Why are you here? We do not want to talk to anyone. Let us live in peace. We have already lost too much,” said the old lady even without being asked anything.
She forced the team of Early Times out of her home. However, son of the old lady explained all. He said “We have compromised with life and are living happily alongside our fellow villagers. We do feel alien at times because there is no one else from our community here but then, we have to live with this reality.”
On being asked about return of exiled Kashmiri Pandits, the Youngman did not lose time in negating any such possibility in near future. He said “You have seen the multi-storeyed buildings wherein the exiled KPs used to live. How can one think of rehabilitating owners of these once palatial buildings in single room apartments and that too when these buildings need investment ranging from Rs. 10 to 20 Lakh to make them inhabitable.”
Not only this Youngman, a Muslim youth in Trehgam of Kupwara district pointing towards a completely damaged KP house said “It will be difficult for our generation to live alongside a community which left Kashmir when it was in flames. I accept there was fear psychosis but then, we too faced the same environment outside the state. So, they are better off wherever they are presently.”
In Kulgam, younger generation has no clue of what Kashmiri Pandit stand for. “They are Jammu people. They had built houses here and ran away when militancy started,” said a school going Kid in Kulgam. A shopkeeper in Gulgam Village of Kupwara district while admitting that houses belonging to Kashmiri Pandits were either burnt or have fallen down in the natural course during the last 21 years of abandonment said “We would love to see them re-building their houses.”
Early Times team during on-field investigation found out that while the government has been spending crores on raising isolated apartments for rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits back in Kashmir valley, nothing is being done to remove mistrust that has deepened between the two communities during last 21 years of separation. The younger generation of the two communities is miles apart ideologically.
To be continued…..
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