Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 21: Various KP organizations have taken serious exception to statement of former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah about the displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
Terming his statement unwarranted, unethical and derogatory, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) said it is the most insensitive statement by a person who has earlier held a position wherefrom constitutional guarantees could be available to all the citizens of the State.
The ASKPC, which met here today under the leadership of its president Ravinder Raina said that the statement of former Chief Minister is condemnable and his outburst indicates that Dr Abdullah has lost the qualities of a good leader. Besides, it also indicates that Dr Abdullah has forgotten that due to threat perception Kashmiri Pandits had to flee from Valley during the time when he was the Chief Minister, the statement added.
It said the fact remains that it was because of the failure and collapse of his Government that a situation was permitted when from the roof tops of mosques all across the Valley announcements were made and slogans shouted asking the minority Pandits to leave Kashmir or face consequences. The sentiments of entire KP community have been hurt with the statement of Dr Abdullah, it added.
The meeting among others was attended by senior leaders of the organization including R K Wangnoo, C L Bhat, Dr T K Bhat, Mrs Veena Gurtoo, Bharat Bushan Gosani, S L Mujoo, B L Handoo and Ashok Dhar.
The Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS) Jammu which also met here, today under the chairmanship of its president, K K Khosa expressed grave concern over the insensitive stance of political parties especially the NC over the all important issue of the return and rehabilitation of KPs in Valley.
It said “the flip flop of NC especially its patriarch, Dr Farooq Abdullah within a span of two days has not only left a bad taste in the mouth but has also created a doubt in the minds of the community regarding the stance of this important political party over the very vital issue’’. “Hitherto the separatists and hardliners had always been objecting to a structured return of the community whenever there has been announcement by the GoI in the matter but now this approach that the onus for return is on KPs themselves by a leading political party is disconcerting and disappointing’’, the statement added.
It said since most of the KPs’ properties have either been sold off under duress or in some cases have been grabbed by locals with the connivance of land mafia only a structured return is possible in which the State government of the day as well as the other mainstream political parties have to play a major role.
The Sabha has also expressed its apprehension over the progress being made in the construction of 6000 flats for the PM package employees which was underway and for which funds have been earmarked in the previous Union budget.
Senior leaders of Sabha, A K Braroo, G J Kampassi, S L Bhagati, Ashok Kher, Subash Dhar, Dr Usha Tickoo, B L Tickoo, J L Zutshi, R L Koul, Dr Anpurna Koul and Dr Ashok Koul attended the meeting.
The Internally Displaced Lawyers Forum (IDLF) has also strongly condemned the statement of Dr Abdullah, The Forum which met here today under the leadership of K L Pandita advocate said the statement has been deliberately made to obstruct the settlement of internally displaced Pandits in Valley. The statement further shows that the former CM and his Party has a hand behind displacement of nationalistic minorities from the Valley in 1989-90.
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