Kashmiri Pandits' return to Kashmir must focus on trust, brotherhood: BJP’s Ashok Koul

Srinagar, Aug 24 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jammu and Kashmir General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul said on Monday that the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley should be based on rebuilding trust and strengthening brotherhood among different communities, rather than focusing solely on preventing targeted killings. 

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Monday, Koul said that the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley was a positive development as the need of the hour is to strengthen brotherhood and social cohesion in Jammu and Kashmir.

“It is encouraging to see Kashmiri Pandits returning to the Valley and resuming their connection with their ancestral places”, he said.

Talking about recent targeted killings in south Kashmir districts, the BJP leader said that targeted killings were not confined to any particular place and claimed that such incidents existed in different parts of the world, adding that there was no place where complete security could be guaranteed.

Koul said Kashmiri Pandits would have to face challenges and struggle in the process of returning and rebuilding their lives in the Valley.

“Targeted killings won’t stop and it is important to create brotherhood,” he said, stressing the need for greater social harmony.

On the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Koul said they had left the Valley before the arrival of the then Governor Jagmohan, while alleging that some people in Kashmir had supported external forces at the time, which, according to him, encouraged such forces.

Koul said efforts to strengthen brotherhood between different communities was important for creating conditions conducive to the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Facing grave threats to their lives from Pakistan-backed terrorists, there was mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in 1990s. This community left their properties, livelihoods and everything they owned behind and escaped barely with their lives.

Since the last 37 years, Kashmiri Pandits been living as refugees in their own country. Thanks to the resilience, resolve and education of this community, Kashmiri Pandits have established themselves in different parts of the country and abroad.

But, as the idiom goes, you may take a Kashmiri Pandit out of Kashmir, you can never take Kashmir out of him/her.

--IANS

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