New Delhi : Six years after the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly resumed its sessions, the plight of Kashmiri Pandits continues to be ignored by the very people who claim to represent the region’s citizens. In all these years, not a single member of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly has addressed the most pressing issue—the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and the collapse of their civilization in 1989-1990. The fact that not a single political party—whether regional or national—has shown any genuine concern or offered a clear, actionable plan for the safe and dignified return of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits exposes the true agenda of these political parties.
Kashmir has long been a region scarred by conflict, and yet the silence of elected representatives on this crucial issue is nothing short of deafening. There has been no substantive discussion, resolution, or action plan in the legislative body concerning the return of Kashmiri Pandits, their rehabilitation, or the restoration of their cultural heritage. The absence of any such effort highlights the massive disconnect between the political class and the people they purport to represent.
Despite numerous promises made during election campaigns, the harsh reality on the ground speaks volumes. The thousands of Kashmiri Pandit families, who were cruelly forced to flee their homes, continue to live in exile with no assurances about their return. The political leaders who continue to make lofty promises have failed to take any action or apologize for the horrifying events of 1989-1990. There has been no mention of budget allocations, policies, or programs aimed at the rehabilitation of displaced families. This neglect is not just a failure of political will, but a direct betrayal of the community’s rights and their rightful place in their ancestral homeland.
Equally concerning is the absence of any meaningful dialogue on the illegal sale of temple properties or the distress sale of homes and lands due to the ongoing conflict. These vital issues have been ignored by all political parties, further compounding the suffering of the displaced community. By remaining silent on such critical matters, political leaders are not just neglecting their duty; they are complicit in the continued erosion of the region’s heritage and the cultural identity of the Kashmiri Pandits.
This persistent failure to address the most basic and urgent concerns of the Kashmiri Pandit community underscores the hollowness of the promises made by political parties during their campaigns. It is now evident that these parties, instead of delivering real change, continue to exploit the innocence and vulnerability of the people of Jammu & Kashmir for political gains. The hollow slogans of the past elections stand as a testament to how political leaders have been more focused on self-interest than on the well-being of the people they claim to serve.
For over 35 years, the indigenous Kashmiri Pandit community has been living in exile, facing vulnerability and erosion of their culture, language, and health. The continued denial of justice and the failure to facilitate their return home remains the biggest black mark not only on the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly but also on the Parliament of India. It serves as a grim reminder that, despite decades of struggle, the displaced people have been denied their fundamental rights, and their voices remain unheard.
It is high time that the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the entire nation hold these political leaders accountable for their words and actions. The Kashmiri Pandits’ fight for justice, return, and the preservation of their cultural heritage must not be ignored any longer. Political leadership must rise to the occasion, confront the painful past, and work towards a future where peace, justice, and the rightful return of displaced communities can finally be realized.
The time for mere promises is over; the time for action has come
