‘Community to return on its terms, conditions’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Apr 3: Maintaining that entire nation is with them, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Dr Mohan Rao Bhagwat today said that displaced Kashmiri Pandits leading an exiled life outside Valley for over three decades now will return to their motherland on their own terms and conditions.
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Addressing a Navreh Mahotsav programme organised by Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra (SSK) virtually, Dr Bhagwat said that the community has faced seven exodus from Valley since last over four centuries but it should be now the last exodus as such conditions are to be created in Valley that they (KPs) should not get uprooted from there in future. “Once they return they should live there in complete peace and amity with a sense of security as well,” he added.
He said when the Pandits return they should have freedom of living as Indians in Kashmir. “After your return you should have freedom of living as Indians in Kashmir.” They (KPs) have borne the brunt of getting displaced from their homes and hearts in their own country for last over three decades should not accept the defeat and make a firm resolve to face the challenge boldly to return to their land as Indian nationals”, he added.
The RSS chief said “This time you will return to Kashmir and settle in such a way that no one can think to raise an eye against you. For this an awareness also needs to be created in the country so that in future such situation does not arise again”, he added.
He said the days of fulfillment of our resolve of returning to Kashmir are nearing but there should not be any haste in this regard. “Our efforts should bring an end to fanaticism and extremism. We should move forward considering this as our will and determination to fulfill our resolve. The return has to be planned with patience and precision”, he added.
Dr Bhagwat said the situation has totally changed now with the abrogation of controversial Articles 370 and 35 A. These were the main hurdles in your return which have been removed now and the community has to muster courage and not give in before the situation. “With your firm resolve you will certainly overcome the situation and return to your motherland”, he added.
He said under the prevailing situation the community has to see how it can use its power and wisdom. Citing the example of Jews who led an exiled life for 1800 years, however, had a firm resolve to get settled in their homeland and every year on one of their festivals they reiterated this resolve and it was only one hundred years back that they succeeded in creating Israel as a separate nation for them. It (Israel ) is one of the developed countries in the world at present, he added.
The RSS chief said the Pandits who are part and parcel of this country have been displaced from their homes and hearths but entire nation is with them in their struggle. “The recently released film of Vivek Agnihotri -Kashmir Files is a proof of that. The picture is in debate at present. While some support it others oppose and some say it is half truth”. But majority of people in this country say that the movie kept real picture of Kashmir and Kashmiri Pandits pain before the nation ”, he added.
He said the picture has shaken every one and all expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri Pandits. As entire nation is with the community it should reaffirm its resolve on the occasion of Navreh Mahotsav that the Pandits will celebrate the next Navreh in Kashmir and for that the struggle should continue, he added.
The RSS chief said that he has drawn courage from the resilience of Kashmiri Pandit community who faced seven exodus but always mustered courage and did not give in. Highlighting the sacrifices of Raja Lalitaditya and Guru Teg Bahadur, he said while Guru Teg Bahadur made supreme sacrifice for Kashmiri Pandits against a tyrant ruler of that time and did not let the Kashmir Hindus down, he said King Lalitaditya united all Rajas of India to fight the Arab invaders and forced them to flee beyond Afghanistan.
He said it was his courage and firm resolve that he challenged the Arab invaders who had threatened conversions forcibly after the ruler of Sindh surrendered before them and converted. But with firm resolve of Lalitaditya he not only saved the other States of India but also freed Sindh from the clutches of Arabs and restored rule of law there.
He also highlighted the role of Shivaji Marhata and Maharana Partap who fought against the tyrant rulers and invaders at that time and frustrated their designs. The RSS chief, while paying tributes to Shri Bhat a great physician of Medieval Kashmir who with his wisdom motivated the then King to get back the members of Pandit community who had fled the Valley that time following the atrocities by tyrant rulers.
Dr Bhagwat said it does not mean that Shri Bhat was weak but he acted as per the circumstances of the time and used his wisdom in bringing back the members of his community who were forced to flee. Maintaining that good days will come again he exuded confidence that with the firm resolve of the nation the extremism and terrorism will be weeded out from Kashmir once and for all.
The programme was organised by SSK in connection with the three day Navratra celebrations and introductory address was given by Dr M K Bharat.
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