News Analysis India

Tag: Kashmiri Pandits

  • Kashmiri Pandits celebrate annual Kheer Bhawani mela; PDP chief Mehbooba joins in 

    By PTI

    TULMULLA/JAMMU: Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday paid their obeisance at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in Ganderbal district and celebrated the annual Kheer Bhawani mela.

    Nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees in the central Kashmir district, the temple witnessed massive crowds of devotees, most of them Kashmiri Pandits, who made the journey from across the country.

    The devotees, walking barefoot, carried rose petals and offered tribute to the goddess as men took a dip in the stream close to the shrine.

    As the devotees jostled with each other to move closer to the main temple complex, the chants of hymns echoed through the temple compound and paid obeisance to the deity while offering milk and kheer (rice pudding) at the sacred spring within the complex.

    The mela, a symbol of communal harmony, passed off peacefully as the administration had made elaborate arrangements, including security related, for the devotees.

    Gudi Zutshi, a devotee from Jammu, said their ‘pooja’ is incomplete without visiting the temple shrine on the occasion of the annual mela held on the birthday of the deity.

    “She is our deity. It is an important day for us and without her, our pooja is incomplete, so we have to come here to celebrate her birthday. The deity has taken the form of water here. The colour of the stream keeps on changing when something happens,” she said.

    It is believed that the colour of the sacred spring water which flows below the temple indicates the situation in the Valley.

    While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, the black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir.

    However, the water in the spring was clean and milky white this year.

    A Kashmiri Pandit devotee performs rituals while offering prayers during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, at Tulmula in Ganderbal district, May 28, 2023. (PTI)

    Zutshi said last year when she was here, she had witnessed that the colour of the stream water was red, apparently referring to the several attacks on the minority community in the Valley.

    “Its colour turned black when there was Corona. The same happened when the Kargil war happened,’ she added.

    However, she said, this year, the colour of the water was very good.

    It means there will be prosperity in Kashmir, Jammu and Delhi.

    “We want prosperity everywhere. Today, the situation is good in Kashmir. The arrangements are good for the mela.”

    Zutshi said as the situation had proved in the Valley, they prayed for the return of the community members who had left Kashmir in the early 1990s.

    “We want to return to Kashmir. We miss the place. Though we come almost every year, we want to return to our homeland permanently. We have prayed for the happiness and prosperity of everyone and the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir,” she said.

    Another devotee, Dileep, said there was about 80-85 per cent improvement in the situation from the 1990s in Kashmir.

    “We also want to return to our homeland. We pray whenever we come here and today as well we prayed for our return,” he said.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who also paid obeisance at the temple, said that she prayed for the dignified return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.

    “I came here to welcome our Kashmiri Pandit brothers who have come from Jammu and other places. We are here to pray for the dignified return of these people to their homes so that once again Hindu-Muslim-Kashmiri Pandits live together in Kashmir with brotherhood,” she told reporters.

    Asked if the community was wary of targeted killings that took place last year, Dileep said that such incidents happen, we cannot say anything on that.

    “But the situation is good now. We want that brotherhood back. Our Muslim brothers also want that,” he added.

    Kashmiri Pandit devotees offer prayers during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, at Tulmula in Ganderbal district, May 28, 2023. (PTI)

    Apart from the religious significance, the annual festival is important for the Kashmiri Pandit community as they get a chance to visit their homeland and meet with their friends.

    “The atmosphere here is very good. Our eyes are filled with emotions when we see our Muslim brothers. My friends have come here and we felt so good to meet. We get to meet once a year,” Rakesh Raina, who lives in Jagati, Jammu, said.

    He said the mela sends a message of national integration for the country.

    “We are getting to see the same brotherhood for which Kashmir was famous. We prayed for the return of those good old days and that we live like we used to be. We all are together of many religions, and castes. There is no difference,” he said.

    Bilal Bhat, a local, said the Muslim community welcomed the guests with open arms and wanted Kashmiri Pandits to return to the Valley.

    “Every year we celebrate this festival. It is an unbelievable, unexpected crowd here. We have kept open our houses for our guests. We want this love, brotherhood and peace we see here to remain forever,” he said.

    Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar also paid obeisance at the shrine.

    He said, “Ganderbal Police has made very good security arrangements. Srinagar police had also deployed ROP (road opening parties). There is foolproof security and the locals have supported the police as well. I wish all of them well.”

    Meanwhile, in Jammu, thousands of migrant Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday offered prayers to goddess Ragnya Devi on the occasion of ‘Zaisht Ashtami’ at Kheer Bhawani Peeth in the Janipur area.

    The ‘peeth’ was constructed as a replica of the original shrine in Tulmulla after the mass migration of the community from the Valley in the early 1990’s.

    “We missed a visit to Tulmulla this time and decided to offer our prayers here. We are witnessing the same atmosphere which used to prevail at the Kheer Bhawani shrine in Kashmir during the annual fair,” Ratika, a devotee who visited the Jammu temple, said.

    Raj Kumar, another devotee, said he had never visited Tulmulla shrine but is a regular visitor here.

    “There is a festive look with a massive gathering of pandits on the auspicious occasion of Zaisht Ashtami,” he said, expressing his desire to visit Tulmulla shrine and resettle in his Budgam home town one day.

    The management of the temple, Ardh Ratri Maha Regheneya Sewa Sanstha Trust, had set up several stalls for the convenience of the devotees, who thronged the tastefully decorated shrine to offer their prayers in their traditional way.

    A member of the trust said the sanstha, with the help of local authorities, had made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival at the peeth.

    TULMULLA/JAMMU: Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday paid their obeisance at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in Ganderbal district and celebrated the annual Kheer Bhawani mela.

    Nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees in the central Kashmir district, the temple witnessed massive crowds of devotees, most of them Kashmiri Pandits, who made the journey from across the country.

    The devotees, walking barefoot, carried rose petals and offered tribute to the goddess as men took a dip in the stream close to the shrine.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    As the devotees jostled with each other to move closer to the main temple complex, the chants of hymns echoed through the temple compound and paid obeisance to the deity while offering milk and kheer (rice pudding) at the sacred spring within the complex.

    The mela, a symbol of communal harmony, passed off peacefully as the administration had made elaborate arrangements, including security related, for the devotees.

    Gudi Zutshi, a devotee from Jammu, said their ‘pooja’ is incomplete without visiting the temple shrine on the occasion of the annual mela held on the birthday of the deity.

    “She is our deity. It is an important day for us and without her, our pooja is incomplete, so we have to come here to celebrate her birthday. The deity has taken the form of water here. The colour of the stream keeps on changing when something happens,” she said.

    It is believed that the colour of the sacred spring water which flows below the temple indicates the situation in the Valley.

    While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, the black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir.

    However, the water in the spring was clean and milky white this year.

    A Kashmiri Pandit devotee performs rituals while offering prayers during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, at Tulmula in Ganderbal district, May 28, 2023. (PTI)

    Zutshi said last year when she was here, she had witnessed that the colour of the stream water was red, apparently referring to the several attacks on the minority community in the Valley.

    “Its colour turned black when there was Corona. The same happened when the Kargil war happened,’ she added.

    However, she said, this year, the colour of the water was very good.

    It means there will be prosperity in Kashmir, Jammu and Delhi.

    “We want prosperity everywhere. Today, the situation is good in Kashmir. The arrangements are good for the mela.”

    Zutshi said as the situation had proved in the Valley, they prayed for the return of the community members who had left Kashmir in the early 1990s.

    “We want to return to Kashmir. We miss the place. Though we come almost every year, we want to return to our homeland permanently. We have prayed for the happiness and prosperity of everyone and the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir,” she said.

    Another devotee, Dileep, said there was about 80-85 per cent improvement in the situation from the 1990s in Kashmir.

    “We also want to return to our homeland. We pray whenever we come here and today as well we prayed for our return,” he said.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who also paid obeisance at the temple, said that she prayed for the dignified return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.

    “I came here to welcome our Kashmiri Pandit brothers who have come from Jammu and other places. We are here to pray for the dignified return of these people to their homes so that once again Hindu-Muslim-Kashmiri Pandits live together in Kashmir with brotherhood,” she told reporters.

    Asked if the community was wary of targeted killings that took place last year, Dileep said that such incidents happen, we cannot say anything on that.

    “But the situation is good now. We want that brotherhood back. Our Muslim brothers also want that,” he added.

    Kashmiri Pandit devotees offer prayers during the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, at Tulmula in Ganderbal district, May 28, 2023. (PTI)

    Apart from the religious significance, the annual festival is important for the Kashmiri Pandit community as they get a chance to visit their homeland and meet with their friends.

    “The atmosphere here is very good. Our eyes are filled with emotions when we see our Muslim brothers. My friends have come here and we felt so good to meet. We get to meet once a year,” Rakesh Raina, who lives in Jagati, Jammu, said.

    He said the mela sends a message of national integration for the country.

    “We are getting to see the same brotherhood for which Kashmir was famous. We prayed for the return of those good old days and that we live like we used to be. We all are together of many religions, and castes. There is no difference,” he said.

    Bilal Bhat, a local, said the Muslim community welcomed the guests with open arms and wanted Kashmiri Pandits to return to the Valley.

    “Every year we celebrate this festival. It is an unbelievable, unexpected crowd here. We have kept open our houses for our guests. We want this love, brotherhood and peace we see here to remain forever,” he said.

    Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar also paid obeisance at the shrine.

    He said, “Ganderbal Police has made very good security arrangements. Srinagar police had also deployed ROP (road opening parties). There is foolproof security and the locals have supported the police as well. I wish all of them well.”

    Meanwhile, in Jammu, thousands of migrant Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday offered prayers to goddess Ragnya Devi on the occasion of ‘Zaisht Ashtami’ at Kheer Bhawani Peeth in the Janipur area.

    The ‘peeth’ was constructed as a replica of the original shrine in Tulmulla after the mass migration of the community from the Valley in the early 1990’s.

    “We missed a visit to Tulmulla this time and decided to offer our prayers here. We are witnessing the same atmosphere which used to prevail at the Kheer Bhawani shrine in Kashmir during the annual fair,” Ratika, a devotee who visited the Jammu temple, said.

    Raj Kumar, another devotee, said he had never visited Tulmulla shrine but is a regular visitor here.

    “There is a festive look with a massive gathering of pandits on the auspicious occasion of Zaisht Ashtami,” he said, expressing his desire to visit Tulmulla shrine and resettle in his Budgam home town one day.

    The management of the temple, Ardh Ratri Maha Regheneya Sewa Sanstha Trust, had set up several stalls for the convenience of the devotees, who thronged the tastefully decorated shrine to offer their prayers in their traditional way.

    A member of the trust said the sanstha, with the help of local authorities, had made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival at the peeth.

  • Azad’s comments on Kashmiri Pandits’ displacement is to ‘bail out’ real culprits: BJP

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir BJP on Friday targeted Democratic Progressive Azad party (DPAP) chairman Gulam Nabi Azad for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kashmiri Pandits in his autobiography ‘Azaad’.

    It said reasons identified by Azad as being responsible for the displacement of the minority community members from the Valley is to ‘bail out the real culprits’.

    “We condemn Azad for abusing and hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandit community in his autobiography as reported by the media. We blame Azad for being equally responsible for the forced displacement of a religious minority of Kashmiri Hindus from the Kashmir Valley in 1989-90,” BJP spokesperson and former legislator Girdhari Lal Raina told reporters here.

    Blaming Azad for being one of the persons at the helm responsible for the death and destruction in Jammu Kashmir, Raina said that his studied silence over gathering storm from 1980 onwards and infiltration and exfiltration of terrorists and unilateral attacks on the minority community in Kashmir is well known.

    “Azad was always in important decision-making positions in the Congress party and also in its government. He can in no way escape responsibility for happenings in Jammu Kashmir”, he said.

    Raina said that Azad’s description of events leading to the displacement of the Hindu community is a ploy to shift blame for narrow electoral benefits.

    “Azad was in Union government continuously from 1980-1989, the period that saw targeted isolation — othering of religious minorities in Kashmir including violent communal attacks in Anantnag Kashmir in 1986 and also selective killings of the minority community of Kashmiri Pandits in 1988-89 much before even elections to the 9th Lok Sabha were held,” he added.

    The targeted killing of Keshav Nath Mahant of Vicharnag Srinagar on December 9, 1988, Prabhawati of Chadoora Budgam, D N Raina of Drabyar Srinagar, Sheela Tikoo of Srinagar and Tika Lal Taploo, Neel Kanth Ganjoo in 1989 was much before the Congress Party was voted out in New Delhi, Raina said.

    “Azad was there when the Rajiv Gandhi-Farooq accord happened and when 70 terrorists were released in 1989 by the Farooq Abdullah government in J-K. How can he ignore the environment of terror and targeted stone pelting of minority community homes during Lok Sabha elections of 1989?” he said.

    “Reasons identified by Azad responsible for the displacement are to bail out real culprits and if he thinks this undermining of truth will endear him to voters of a particular section, he is grossly mistaken. Let Azad recall how he was rejected even as the chief minister,” the former MLC him.

    Blaming then-governor Jagmohan is a sponsored conspiracy to destabilise India and sabotage Indian democracy, Raina said.

    Raina asserted that the minority community was not targeted for being Congress supporters or because of supposed high positions in central offices.

    “The only reason for their besiegement was their nationalism and religious identity. The killing of a lift operator, staff nurse, laboratory assistant, driver, farmers, pujaris, mahants or housewives explains the objective explicitly,” he said.

    Panun Kashmir chairman Ajay Chrungoo also hit out at Azad for his comments on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits “Azad is also a communal leader in the grab of secularism,” he said.

    JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir BJP on Friday targeted Democratic Progressive Azad party (DPAP) chairman Gulam Nabi Azad for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kashmiri Pandits in his autobiography ‘Azaad’.

    It said reasons identified by Azad as being responsible for the displacement of the minority community members from the Valley is to ‘bail out the real culprits’.

    “We condemn Azad for abusing and hurting the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandit community in his autobiography as reported by the media. We blame Azad for being equally responsible for the forced displacement of a religious minority of Kashmiri Hindus from the Kashmir Valley in 1989-90,” BJP spokesperson and former legislator Girdhari Lal Raina told reporters here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Blaming Azad for being one of the persons at the helm responsible for the death and destruction in Jammu Kashmir, Raina said that his studied silence over gathering storm from 1980 onwards and infiltration and exfiltration of terrorists and unilateral attacks on the minority community in Kashmir is well known.

    “Azad was always in important decision-making positions in the Congress party and also in its government. He can in no way escape responsibility for happenings in Jammu Kashmir”, he said.

    Raina said that Azad’s description of events leading to the displacement of the Hindu community is a ploy to shift blame for narrow electoral benefits.

    “Azad was in Union government continuously from 1980-1989, the period that saw targeted isolation — othering of religious minorities in Kashmir including violent communal attacks in Anantnag Kashmir in 1986 and also selective killings of the minority community of Kashmiri Pandits in 1988-89 much before even elections to the 9th Lok Sabha were held,” he added.

    The targeted killing of Keshav Nath Mahant of Vicharnag Srinagar on December 9, 1988, Prabhawati of Chadoora Budgam, D N Raina of Drabyar Srinagar, Sheela Tikoo of Srinagar and Tika Lal Taploo, Neel Kanth Ganjoo in 1989 was much before the Congress Party was voted out in New Delhi, Raina said.

    “Azad was there when the Rajiv Gandhi-Farooq accord happened and when 70 terrorists were released in 1989 by the Farooq Abdullah government in J-K. How can he ignore the environment of terror and targeted stone pelting of minority community homes during Lok Sabha elections of 1989?” he said.

    “Reasons identified by Azad responsible for the displacement are to bail out real culprits and if he thinks this undermining of truth will endear him to voters of a particular section, he is grossly mistaken. Let Azad recall how he was rejected even as the chief minister,” the former MLC him.

    Blaming then-governor Jagmohan is a sponsored conspiracy to destabilise India and sabotage Indian democracy, Raina said.

    Raina asserted that the minority community was not targeted for being Congress supporters or because of supposed high positions in central offices.

    “The only reason for their besiegement was their nationalism and religious identity. The killing of a lift operator, staff nurse, laboratory assistant, driver, farmers, pujaris, mahants or housewives explains the objective explicitly,” he said.

    Panun Kashmir chairman Ajay Chrungoo also hit out at Azad for his comments on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits “Azad is also a communal leader in the grab of secularism,” he said.

  • Kashmiri Pandit ATM guard shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Terrorists on Sunday shot dead a 40-year-old Kashmiri Pandit man in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district while he was on his way to a local market, police said.

    Sanjay Sharma (40), who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district around 11 am, they added.

    “Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market,” the Kashmir Zone police wrote on Twitter.

    They said Sharma was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to the injuries. “There was armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off. Details shall follow,” police said.

    ALSO READ | Nine Kashmiri Pandits killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 3 years: Govt

    Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the victim’s village.

    The deceased worked as an ATM guard in a bank but had not been reporting to duty of late following an earlier spate of terror attacks on his community members, his colleagues said.

    Political parties condemned the killing, terming it “senseless”. “Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard and was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his loved ones,” National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.

    Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard & was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack & send my condolences to his loved ones.
    — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2023
    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti blamed the BJP-led Centre for failing to protect Kashmiri Pandits. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also hit out at the perpetrators of the attack. Talking to reporters here, she said, “A few days ago, right-wing terrorists killed two Muslims in Rajasthan. Today, you have killed a Hindu. What is the difference between you and them?” Mufti accused the BJP government of endangering the lives of minorities in Kashmir while projecting a picture of normalcy in the valley.

    NC’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the killing, saying it was an unfortunate incident. “As the majority community, we should ensure the protection of the minorities,” he said, adding that the government has failed to do so.

    ALSO READ | Radio Sharda connects displaced Kashmiri Pandits in India, 108 countries with their roots

    SRINAGAR: Terrorists on Sunday shot dead a 40-year-old Kashmiri Pandit man in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district while he was on his way to a local market, police said.

    Sanjay Sharma (40), who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district around 11 am, they added.

    “Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market,” the Kashmir Zone police wrote on Twitter.

    They said Sharma was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to the injuries. “There was armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off. Details shall follow,” police said.

    ALSO READ | Nine Kashmiri Pandits killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 3 years: Govt

    Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the victim’s village.

    The deceased worked as an ATM guard in a bank but had not been reporting to duty of late following an earlier spate of terror attacks on his community members, his colleagues said.

    Political parties condemned the killing, terming it “senseless”. “Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard and was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his loved ones,” National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.

    Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard & was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack & send my condolences to his loved ones.
    — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2023
    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti blamed the BJP-led Centre for failing to protect Kashmiri Pandits. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also hit out at the perpetrators of the attack. Talking to reporters here, she said, “A few days ago, right-wing terrorists killed two Muslims in Rajasthan. Today, you have killed a Hindu. What is the difference between you and them?” Mufti accused the BJP government of endangering the lives of minorities in Kashmir while projecting a picture of normalcy in the valley.

    NC’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the killing, saying it was an unfortunate incident. “As the majority community, we should ensure the protection of the minorities,” he said, adding that the government has failed to do so.

    ALSO READ | Radio Sharda connects displaced Kashmiri Pandits in India, 108 countries with their roots

  • Nine Kashmiri Pandits killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 3 years: Govt

    Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said four Kashmiri Pandits were killed in 2022 and as many in 2021, while one was killed in 2020.

  • Congress demands white paper from Modi government on ‘plight of Kashmiri Pandits’ 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from south Kashmir’s Shopian district, saying that while he is “enjoying power”, the members of the minority community remain refugees in their own country.

    The Opposition party also demanded that the Modi government release a white paper on the plight of the minority community during its eight-year rule.

    “This year, there have been 30 targeted killings in Kashmir. The exodus of Pandits is increasing rapidly. The BJP has ruined the good work done by the UPA,” former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    इस साल, कश्मीर में 30 टार्गेटिड किलिंग्स हो चुकी हैं। पंडितों का पलायन तेज़ी से बढ़ रहा है।भाजपा ने यूपीए द्वारा किए गए अच्छे कामों को बर्बाद कर दिया है।सत्ता में आने से पहले बड़ी-बड़ी बातें करने वाले PM सत्ता भोग रहे हैं और कश्मीरी पंडित अपने ही देश में शरणार्थी बने हुए हैं।
    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 27, 2022
    “The PM, who spoke big things before coming to power, is enjoying power and Kashmiri Pandits remain refugees in their own country,” he said.

    As terrorists carried out a number of targeted killings recently, 10 Kashmiri Pandit families left their village, Choudharygund, in Shopian out of fear and reached Jammu, according to residents.

    Members of the minority community, who have since been camping in Jammu, ruled out any plan to return to the Valley.

    However, authorities in Shopian have attempted to put on a brave face by claiming no exodus of Kashmiri Pandits has taken place from the district.

    Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said that when the first migration of Kashmiri Pandits took place in 1989, V P Singh’s government was in office with the BJP’s support.

    “In 1986, when the first riot against Kashmiri Pandits took place, Rajiv Gandhi’s government was in office at the Centre. Kashmiri Pandits walked from the national stadium to Rajiv Gandhi’s office, he heard them and Ghulam Mohammad Shah’s government was brought down,” Khera said.

    The BJP only talks of zero tolerance but what it actually means was shown by Rajiv Gandhi, he claimed.

    Slamming the Centre, Khera said 70 ministers of the government are carrying out an outreach programme in Kashmir and asked if any of them visited a camp of Kashmiri Pandits.

    “What is this outreach when you cannot reach out to the Kashmiri Pandits living in the camps there,” he asked.

    Citing an order, the Congress leader also alleged that Kashmiri Pandit employees are being “threatened” to return to work against their wishes.

    There have been 30 targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits from January to October this year, he claimed.

    “We demand a white paper from the Modi government on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. In the last eight years, all that has been done and not been done by this government should come out in that white paper,” Khera said.

    “You (the government) will have to answer for the 80 killings. How is this normal, answer this,” he added.

    Asked about Union minister Kiren Rijiju’s article titled ’75th Anniversary of Five Nehruvian Blunders on Kashmir’, Khera said those leaders of the BJP who are students of “WhatsApp nursery” need to revisit their history classes.

    “If all that they are saying is true, how is it that during the Manmohan Singh era, targeted killings stopped and 75 per cent of the people would participate in the democratic process of elections in the state? We would be happy to get the answer to that,” he said.

    The BJP leaders have no idea of the contemporary history of the country, he said.

    It is very easy to blame Jawaharlal Nehru for this, Indira Gandhi for something else, P V Narasimha Rao for something else and Manmohan Singh for the rest, Khera said.

    “Give us answers. You have been in power for eight years. What has been your achievement in those years in Jammu and Kashmir? You cannot hold elections. You cannot protect Kashmiri Pandits. Is that your achievement? You must apologise for what happened in 1989, you must apologise for what is happening now,” he said, attacking the BJP-led Centre.

    Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists outside his ancestral house in Shopian’s Choudharygund village on October 15.

    On October 18, Monish Kumar and Ram Sagar were killed in a grenade attack by terrorists while they were asleep in their rented accommodation in Shopian.

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from south Kashmir’s Shopian district, saying that while he is “enjoying power”, the members of the minority community remain refugees in their own country.

    The Opposition party also demanded that the Modi government release a white paper on the plight of the minority community during its eight-year rule.

    “This year, there have been 30 targeted killings in Kashmir. The exodus of Pandits is increasing rapidly. The BJP has ruined the good work done by the UPA,” former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    इस साल, कश्मीर में 30 टार्गेटिड किलिंग्स हो चुकी हैं। पंडितों का पलायन तेज़ी से बढ़ रहा है।
    भाजपा ने यूपीए द्वारा किए गए अच्छे कामों को बर्बाद कर दिया है।
    सत्ता में आने से पहले बड़ी-बड़ी बातें करने वाले PM सत्ता भोग रहे हैं और कश्मीरी पंडित अपने ही देश में शरणार्थी बने हुए हैं।
    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 27, 2022
    “The PM, who spoke big things before coming to power, is enjoying power and Kashmiri Pandits remain refugees in their own country,” he said.

    As terrorists carried out a number of targeted killings recently, 10 Kashmiri Pandit families left their village, Choudharygund, in Shopian out of fear and reached Jammu, according to residents.

    Members of the minority community, who have since been camping in Jammu, ruled out any plan to return to the Valley.

    However, authorities in Shopian have attempted to put on a brave face by claiming no exodus of Kashmiri Pandits has taken place from the district.

    Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress’ media department head Pawan Khera said that when the first migration of Kashmiri Pandits took place in 1989, V P Singh’s government was in office with the BJP’s support.

    “In 1986, when the first riot against Kashmiri Pandits took place, Rajiv Gandhi’s government was in office at the Centre. Kashmiri Pandits walked from the national stadium to Rajiv Gandhi’s office, he heard them and Ghulam Mohammad Shah’s government was brought down,” Khera said.

    The BJP only talks of zero tolerance but what it actually means was shown by Rajiv Gandhi, he claimed.

    Slamming the Centre, Khera said 70 ministers of the government are carrying out an outreach programme in Kashmir and asked if any of them visited a camp of Kashmiri Pandits.

    “What is this outreach when you cannot reach out to the Kashmiri Pandits living in the camps there,” he asked.

    Citing an order, the Congress leader also alleged that Kashmiri Pandit employees are being “threatened” to return to work against their wishes.

    There have been 30 targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits from January to October this year, he claimed.

    “We demand a white paper from the Modi government on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. In the last eight years, all that has been done and not been done by this government should come out in that white paper,” Khera said.

    “You (the government) will have to answer for the 80 killings. How is this normal, answer this,” he added.

    Asked about Union minister Kiren Rijiju’s article titled ’75th Anniversary of Five Nehruvian Blunders on Kashmir’, Khera said those leaders of the BJP who are students of “WhatsApp nursery” need to revisit their history classes.

    “If all that they are saying is true, how is it that during the Manmohan Singh era, targeted killings stopped and 75 per cent of the people would participate in the democratic process of elections in the state? We would be happy to get the answer to that,” he said.

    The BJP leaders have no idea of the contemporary history of the country, he said.

    It is very easy to blame Jawaharlal Nehru for this, Indira Gandhi for something else, P V Narasimha Rao for something else and Manmohan Singh for the rest, Khera said.

    “Give us answers. You have been in power for eight years. What has been your achievement in those years in Jammu and Kashmir? You cannot hold elections. You cannot protect Kashmiri Pandits. Is that your achievement? You must apologise for what happened in 1989, you must apologise for what is happening now,” he said, attacking the BJP-led Centre.

    Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists outside his ancestral house in Shopian’s Choudharygund village on October 15.

    On October 18, Monish Kumar and Ram Sagar were killed in a grenade attack by terrorists while they were asleep in their rented accommodation in Shopian.

  • Ex-J&K Police chief suggests training and arming Kashmiri Pandits to prevent targeted attacks

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Amid recent targeted killings in the Valley, the former Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid on Tuesday suggested providing arms training and small weapons to the Kashmiri Pandits in militancy-hit Kashmir to ward off targeted attacks on the community.

    In a series of tweets, Vaid said the Pandit community has been targeted for decades and there is a need to draw a composite and comprehensive security plan at the highest level in the Union Territory of J&K.

    “They need to be protected at their residence, during transit and at their workplace,” he said.

    Three Kashmiri Pandits – two of them non-migrants and one of them migrant and PM package employee – were killed by militants in targeted attacks in the Valley in the last five months. The latest attack took place on Saturday when militants shot dead a Kashmiri Pandit farmer Puran Krishan Bhat near his residence in the Chowdari Gund area of Shopian in south Kashmir.

    Vaid said to make their (Kashmiri Pandits) security more effective, they should be equipped with self-defense training with requisite weapons. “They should also be given martial arts training so that they can defend themselves”.

    The former DGP suggested that they should be armed with small arms like pistols so that they can take on militants in case of militant attack.

    ALSO READ | Kashmiri Pandit gunned down by militants in Valley, third in last five months

    Asked whether the plan was workable, Vaid told this newspaper that it was very much workable and there was no harm in trying it. “Like policemen, they too can repulse and fight back the militant attack after proper training. They too can fire back on militants”.

    “It is better instead of being lame ducks, they strike back whenever attacked by militants,” he said.

    About the threat of weapon snatching by militants, Vaid said, “There is threat of weapon snatching but it can be eliminated by proper training of the persons”.

    He said the persons from the majority community vulnerable to militant attacks including political workers and elected panchayat members can also be provided arms training and small weapons for self defence.

    The former DGP further said the Pandit employees recruited under the PM package and posted in remote areas in the Valley are exposed to a greater threat. “Their services should be used from either secure offices in the Valley or relocated to Jammu temporarily”

    After the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit employee by militants on May 12 this year, about 5500 PM package Pandit employees are not attending their offices in Valley for last five months. They have been protesting and demanding their relocation to Jammu due to security concerns.

    SRINAGAR: Amid recent targeted killings in the Valley, the former Jammu and Kashmir police chief S P Vaid on Tuesday suggested providing arms training and small weapons to the Kashmiri Pandits in militancy-hit Kashmir to ward off targeted attacks on the community.

    In a series of tweets, Vaid said the Pandit community has been targeted for decades and there is a need to draw a composite and comprehensive security plan at the highest level in the Union Territory of J&K.

    “They need to be protected at their residence, during transit and at their workplace,” he said.

    Three Kashmiri Pandits – two of them non-migrants and one of them migrant and PM package employee – were killed by militants in targeted attacks in the Valley in the last five months. The latest attack took place on Saturday when militants shot dead a Kashmiri Pandit farmer Puran Krishan Bhat near his residence in the Chowdari Gund area of Shopian in south Kashmir.

    Vaid said to make their (Kashmiri Pandits) security more effective, they should be equipped with self-defense training with requisite weapons. “They should also be given martial arts training so that they can defend themselves”.

    The former DGP suggested that they should be armed with small arms like pistols so that they can take on militants in case of militant attack.

    ALSO READ | Kashmiri Pandit gunned down by militants in Valley, third in last five months

    Asked whether the plan was workable, Vaid told this newspaper that it was very much workable and there was no harm in trying it. “Like policemen, they too can repulse and fight back the militant attack after proper training. They too can fire back on militants”.

    “It is better instead of being lame ducks, they strike back whenever attacked by militants,” he said.

    About the threat of weapon snatching by militants, Vaid said, “There is threat of weapon snatching but it can be eliminated by proper training of the persons”.

    He said the persons from the majority community vulnerable to militant attacks including political workers and elected panchayat members can also be provided arms training and small weapons for self defence.

    The former DGP further said the Pandit employees recruited under the PM package and posted in remote areas in the Valley are exposed to a greater threat. “Their services should be used from either secure offices in the Valley or relocated to Jammu temporarily”

    After the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit employee by militants on May 12 this year, about 5500 PM package Pandit employees are not attending their offices in Valley for last five months. They have been protesting and demanding their relocation to Jammu due to security concerns.

  • Jammu and Kashmir at crossroads today where people don’t have any right, says Mehbooba

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Lambasting the Lieutenant Governor administration for alleged public discontent, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir today stand at crossroads where people have neither any right nor any forum to project their grievances.

    She also hit out at the BJP for allegedly weaponising the pain and sufferings of the Kashmiri Pandits to garner support for its political objectives.

    “While the public anger is simmering, the LG administration is busy showcasing its phony achievements in order to justify what ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has done with Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba said while meeting various deputations which called on her here on the second day of her tour to Jammu.

    The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the administration has only compounded the issues of the general masses with its “red tapism, inertia and public discontent”.

    “As a result of this, Jammu and Kashmir today stands at crossroads where citizens have neither any right nor a forum to project their grievances,” she said.

    Talking to a deputation of Kashmiri migrant employees, Mehbooba said while the BJP and its run administration were weaponising the pain and sufferings of the community to garner support for its political objectives, it ignores their issues and grievances.

    “It’s unfortunate that the community faced one of the worst times after migration during the last few years right under the rule of those who criminalised their sufferings and politicised their pain in furtherance of their own communal agenda,” she said.

    Mehbooba said the administration has miserably failed to instil a sense of security among the Kashmiri migrant community.

    She said the issues of Kashmiri Pandits need a companionate and humanitarian approach. Instead, an arm-twisting approach is being adopted to muzzle their voice, she alleged.

    The deputation while highlighting their grievances and said the administration has selectively transferred some employees from Kashmir while others have been left at the mercy of god.

    “Most of the families are without ration for several months and the new relief cases are pending approval. The employees are protesting seeking transfer to safer places while the administration has withheld salaries of migrant employees in order to pressure them to return,” a delegation member said.

    Responding to other deputations, Mehbooba said, “Corruption has touched new heights, while the competent and honest officers are pushed to walls to ensure that the dictates from party headquarters of BJP are followed without any query or justification.

    “Even the local governance institutions, which the LG administration is showcasing its one of the greatest achievements, have been made reductant,” she added.

    Employees, unemployed youths, traders, industrialists, transporters, farmers and every section of the society is facing the brunt of political blunder committed by the ruling dispensation just to satisfy its political ego, the PDP chief said.

    “We have to collectively fight back and struggle for the restoration of our identity and dignity,” she said.

    A deputation of Small Scale and Micro Industries Unit holders apprised the PDP chief about the administration’s claims to bring industrial revolution in Jammu and Kashmir.

    But the reality is that most of the industries were either being closed or seized by the banks due to non-payment of dues, it said.

    JAMMU: Lambasting the Lieutenant Governor administration for alleged public discontent, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir today stand at crossroads where people have neither any right nor any forum to project their grievances.

    She also hit out at the BJP for allegedly weaponising the pain and sufferings of the Kashmiri Pandits to garner support for its political objectives.

    “While the public anger is simmering, the LG administration is busy showcasing its phony achievements in order to justify what ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has done with Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba said while meeting various deputations which called on her here on the second day of her tour to Jammu.

    The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the administration has only compounded the issues of the general masses with its “red tapism, inertia and public discontent”.

    “As a result of this, Jammu and Kashmir today stands at crossroads where citizens have neither any right nor a forum to project their grievances,” she said.

    Talking to a deputation of Kashmiri migrant employees, Mehbooba said while the BJP and its run administration were weaponising the pain and sufferings of the community to garner support for its political objectives, it ignores their issues and grievances.

    “It’s unfortunate that the community faced one of the worst times after migration during the last few years right under the rule of those who criminalised their sufferings and politicised their pain in furtherance of their own communal agenda,” she said.

    Mehbooba said the administration has miserably failed to instil a sense of security among the Kashmiri migrant community.

    She said the issues of Kashmiri Pandits need a companionate and humanitarian approach. Instead, an arm-twisting approach is being adopted to muzzle their voice, she alleged.

    The deputation while highlighting their grievances and said the administration has selectively transferred some employees from Kashmir while others have been left at the mercy of god.

    “Most of the families are without ration for several months and the new relief cases are pending approval. The employees are protesting seeking transfer to safer places while the administration has withheld salaries of migrant employees in order to pressure them to return,” a delegation member said.

    Responding to other deputations, Mehbooba said, “Corruption has touched new heights, while the competent and honest officers are pushed to walls to ensure that the dictates from party headquarters of BJP are followed without any query or justification.

    “Even the local governance institutions, which the LG administration is showcasing its one of the greatest achievements, have been made reductant,” she added.

    Employees, unemployed youths, traders, industrialists, transporters, farmers and every section of the society is facing the brunt of political blunder committed by the ruling dispensation just to satisfy its political ego, the PDP chief said.

    “We have to collectively fight back and struggle for the restoration of our identity and dignity,” she said.

    A deputation of Small Scale and Micro Industries Unit holders apprised the PDP chief about the administration’s claims to bring industrial revolution in Jammu and Kashmir.

    But the reality is that most of the industries were either being closed or seized by the banks due to non-payment of dues, it said.

  • ‘Entire country stands shoulder to shoulder with you’: Kejriwal to Kashmiri Pandits

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday greeted Kashmiri Pandits on the occasion of ‘Jyeshtha Ashtami’ and said the entire country stands shoulder to shoulder with them in their happiness and sorrow.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor’s remarks came in the backdrop of the spate of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir.

    “Today is the holy day of Jyeshtha Ashtami. (I extend my) warm wishes to all Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters on this auspicious day. May the blessings of Maa Kheer Bhavani always be with you all,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “I want to assure the Kashmiri Pandit community that the entire country is standing shoulder to shoulder with you in your every happiness and sorrow,” he said.

    The AAP has been raising the issue of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits for the past few weeks.

    The party held a ‘Jan Aakrosh Rally’ at Jantar Mantar here on June 5 over the issue.

    Addressing the rally, Kejriwal lashed out at the BJP-led central government for failing to provide security to Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

    He also demanded that the Centre put forth an action plan to stop the killings.

    The Delhi chief minister on Tuesday said he has sought an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the killings of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

    The spate of targeted killings in Kashmir started in May, which included that of Rahul Bhat, a clerk, who was shot dead inside the tehsildar’s office in Budgam district’s Chadoora.

    Of the eight targeted killings since May 1, three victims were off-duty policemen and five were civilians.

    Expressing concern over “grim security situation” in Kashmir in the wake of unabated targeted killings, Jammu-based Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) president G S Charak on Wednesday urged the government to involve civil society and mainstream leaders to restore peace and stop “exodus” of minorities and “nationalist Muslims” from the Valley.

    He also denounced attempts by mischievous elements to harm communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and said “any miscreant, irrespective of religion, region, caste and colour, must be brought to book without any bias”.

    “We are concerned over the situation which is slipping back to the 1990s with minority Hindus and Sikhs along with nationalist Muslims planning to migrate from the valley,” Charak, a former minister, told reporters here after a core group meeting of his organisation.

    Accusing the central government of mishandling the situation, he said using police and other security agencies and propagating that everything is under control is not going to help improve the security situation in the valley.

    “The ruling party needs to review its policies, both within Jammu and Kashmir and at the international level, to scuttle nefarious designs of Pakistan which was successful in driving out minority Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 and is once again making efforts in this direction.

    “The gap between the people and the government is widening with each passing day which is not a good sign and a concern for all of us.

    The government needs to have a relook on its policy towards J-K and involve civil society and mainstream politicians from all parties,” Charak said.

    “Anyone supporting Pakistan should be taken to task but those leaders who believe in India and its democratic process should be taken into confidence and consulted for restoration of peace and normalcy,” he said.

    He said Dogra Sader Sabha is over a century old organisation but its repeated requests for a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor was not responded to.

    “We have played a key role whenever there was a crisis like situation in the past. We have written to the LG for a meeting but there was no response till date, which is very surprising,” he said.

    Appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving key posts to local bureaucrats, he said the officers from outside do not know the ground realities and are causing more harm than any good.

    Earlier, Charak said the core group of the Sabha condemned Pakistan and its intelligence agencies for its continued support to terrorism in J-K.

    “The government should take effective punitive measures against Pakistan who sponsors, supports and provides arms for killings of the innocent population of Kashmiri Hindu, Muslim and Sikhs, besides other non-Kashmiri Indians who are engaged in providing various services to the common citizen there,” he said.

  • Amid targeted killings, 70 per cent Kashmiri Pandit employees flee Valley

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  Though the Centre has started shifting Kashmiri Pandit staffers under the PM job scheme in the Valley to various district headquarters in Kashmir in the wake of the recent targeted killings, it has now emerged that about 60-70% of them fled to Jammu in recent weeks. The Pandits wanted transfers to Jammu but the Centre rejected the demand.

    Some Pandits say the security situation is worse today than it was in 1990.“This fear was not prevalent in 1990 when the first migration of Pandits took place,” said Ranjan, a Kashmiri Pandit employee in Anantnag district. “Due to fear, we are unable to move out from our locations.” He said in the 1990s, it was clear who the terrorists were.

    But today, the situation has changed due to hybrid terrorists—radicalised civilians who carry out attacks while leading normal lives. He claimed about 60-70% of 5,500 Pandits have left Kashmir.  Jagti Tenement Committee Jammu president Shadi Lal confirmed 60-70% of Pandit employees have reached Jammu.

  • Kashmiri Pandits forced to leave their homes, BJP can’t handle Kashmir: Kejriwal

    “I want to tell Pakistan to stop petty tactics. Kashmir will always be part of India,” Kejriwal said at the rally held against targeted killings in Kashmir.