Sir,
This is in reference to the article, “Kashmir is Incomplete Without K Ps” by A K Chrungoo (Daily Excelsior; 09 March:19).
Though Mr.Chrungoo’s oft repeated demand for Panun Kashmir is as idealistic and impraractical as that of Hurriat’s Independent Kashmir;the issue raised in this article is worth consideration and I think political parties which claim to be the well wishers of Pandits should take practical and pragmatic measures to appreciate and remove the genuine grievances of Kashmiri Pandits.The community has suffered from centuries and is presently out of its homeland.If Kashmir is really incomplete without them,we have to preserve their distinct and valuable age old culture,way of life,traditions and of course contribution to the highly evolved civilization of Kashmir.Despite negative efforts by a section of religious bigots, majority of Kashmiri Muslims have not delinked themselves from their past heritage.Tolerance is badly bruised but not cremated.
Ideally a minimum of four to five state assembly seats (non territorial) should be reserved for Pandits for which only Pandits could vote.They should also be extended the right to vote for other territorial seats.One or two seats could be reserved in the Legislative Council also.This could lead us on the way of safeguarding the interests of minorities in a democratic system.As this is not possible at the present juncture and needs constitutional amendment,the prominent party with secular tag should offer one Lok Sabha ticket to a outstanding member of the community in Kashmir.Similarly four to five Assembly seats should be offered to the estranged community.This would be a small but meaningful step forward.To be fair to N.C.it had done something like this in the past;let it come forward and nominate one of its prominent workers (and they do have such workers in their fold) for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.
As a Kashmiri I feel deeply anguished by the ill treatment meted out to this community in 1990.I share my DNA with the group and understand that existence precedes essence.
Mohammad Yousuf Ganaie Nairang
IIS Retd.
Tawi Bihar Sidhra, Jammu.
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