Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 1: In the backdrop of the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, three major Kashmiri Pandit organizations—All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD), and Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM)— organized a crucial in-house meeting of prominent KPs. The event was held today at Muthi Phase-2,. The primary objective of the meeting was to seek inputs and wise counsel from key community leaders.
The KP organizations demand concrete answers from mainstream political parties, both National and Regional, on their commitment to addressing the long-standing issues faced by the displaced community. The key concerns included the threat perception, the injustice faced over the years, and the need for a comprehensive roadmap for the return and rehabilitation of KPs in consultation with mainstream KP organizations.
The representatives of KP organization said given that these elections are taking place after the recent abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, and the subsequent formation of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory, the importance of KP participation in the electoral process cannot be overstated. While the Kashmiri Pandit vote percentage may be small, it has the potential to significantly influence electoral outcomes across several constituencies. The meeting is expected to result in important takeaways that will inform the KP community’s approach in the upcoming elections, ensuring that their votes are cast judiciously for the larger welfare of the community post-elections.
The key speakers included- Dr. Romesh Raina, president, AIKS, Utpal Koul, GKPD, Dulep Mattoo, JKVM, Dr. Manorama Bakshi, vice president, AIKS, Ashwani, GKPD. The political leaders who spoke included, Vijay Bakaya general secretary Apni Party, Ajay Bharti and and Hira Lal Bhat of BJP.
During the meeting, the discussion focused on the need for creating a strategic roadmap for the return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits, taking into account the general feedback and interaction within the community. Key issues raised included increasing the relief for displaced families, providing proper livelihood opportunities and jobs for displaced youth, and addressing the dilapidated state of quarters for displaced community members currently residing in camps.
The outcomes of the meeting will form the basis for further discussions and actions, ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of the Kashmiri Pandit community are effectively addressed during the upcoming elections.
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