Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: The Kashmiri Pandits-Right and Wrong in Kashmir -2019 Conclave was attended by eminent panelists including Abdul Rahim Rather, former Finance Minister and senior National Conference (NC) leader, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Member Parliament and senior leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The conclave through teleconferencing was organized by Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD).
In her introductory address, Dr Shafalica Bhan Kotwal said “GKDP is committed to hold accountable those who are guilty of genocide and terrorism. GKDP will invoke international recourse to supplement what Indians will do inside India and we will be submitting our petition to United Nations and affiliated bodies in Summer this year followed by similar exercise at the European Economic Community and other international venues”.
Dr Shafalica Bhan gave reference to the joint memorandum submitted by GKDP with 30 affiliate organisations and nearly 15,000 individuals of the community reflecting the common demand of the community.
In his introductory remarks, Chairman, GKPD UN Initiative, Dr K L Chowdhary stated that Kashmir once a place of saints and sages has turned into the breeding ground of terrorists and the paradise on earth has been transformed into hell. He, while addressing the panelists said you have to take a call before we are all left irrelevant in Kashmir; You are both aware of the atrocities and violence unleashed on our community that led to our exodus”, Dr Chowdhary further said GKPD is hosting this conclave `Right and Wrong ‘ and let me take this clear that GKPD is not another organization but the resolve of the community to fight the trauma and to convert the collective conscience of genocide and ethnic cleansing perpetrated on the community”.
In his address Abdul Rahim Rather senior leader of NC said “I have immense love and respect for the KP community and KPs are an important and integral part of our society and culture”. Applauding the manner in which the exiled community was facing all vagaries of exile and carried itself, he said, “the best thing I like about the community lies in fact that despite living in most difficult conditions the community never compromised on the education of their children”.
He said the issues being faced by the community is not their issue alone. It is our composite issue considering this community is an inalienable part of larger self of composite society and it has immensely contributed for entire society of Kashmir.
MP Muzaffar Hussian Baig while addressing said “1990 will go down in the history of Kashmir and perhaps the rest of India as the one darkest days”, adding “it was in this year that the mass exodus of the community who were the original inhabitants of Kashmir took place in the wake of mass uprising, millions of people marched and the community made to feel so insecure that some of them left only with the clothes that they were wearing.”
While replying the questions of Dr Chowdhary Baig said “so far as the minority status is concerned, they (KPs) have a right to be declared as minority in the J&K State , just like Muslims are a minority in the rest of the country”.
While addressing a direct question by Dr Surinder Kaul about his opinion regarding genocide and ethnic cleansing of the community and if it comes under the purview of genocide and if KP community qualifies for genocide as per Rome Statue, Baig empathetically said “it does, you certainly qualify, I think there should not be any question about that”.
Dr Surinder Kaul lamented the lip service offered by leaders of J&K over past 30 years and expressed deep sorrow and resentment over continuous inaction on matters of grave importance for the community. He asked why the three parts of the State had become so estranged that they were ready to split apart.
Rakesh Kaul concluded the conclave and Anil Kachroo moderated it.
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