No separate townships for Pandits: CM

Kashmiri Pandits at a government colony for the migrants in Sheikhpura, Budgam, Thursday.

There would be no separate clusters for settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed told the Assembly on Thursday. He said Kashmir’s composite culture would not be allowed to destroy at any cost.

Referring to his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, Sayeed said: “I have made it clear to him that they (Kashmiri Pandits) cannot live separately. Whosoever lives will live together.” “This is an example of Kashmir’s composite culture and our unity in diversity which will not allowed to get destroyed at any cost,” the CM said during the question hour.

The CM asserted that his government was committed to create a favourable environment for “honourable and dignified return of the pandit community to their homes in the Valley”.

The PDP-BJP government’s reported plan for separate colonies for the Pandits had faced protests from several quarters, including the Opposition and separatists.

Describing Kashmir as an epitome of secularism and brotherhood that has withstood the test of time even during 1947 partition when Mahatma Gandhi saw a ray of hope in the Valley, Mufti sought cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the honourable and dignified return of the pandits. “Don’t play politics, it is a human issue,” he added.

The CM, however, noted those having no land or property left in the Valley could be accommodated in composite townships, but those settlements would be open to all communities, including Muslims who too have migrated.

Ruing that Kashmir’s composite culture was severely hurt after thousands of people left the Valley during turmoil in 1990s, he said there have always been efforts to bring the pandits back as they are highly qualified people.

Sayeed also referred to his earlier government’s efforts to bring the migrants back in 2002 by constructing accommodation for them at Mattan, Khir Bhawani and Sheikhpora, He, however, said it did not work as most of them wanted to stay at their native places.

Source:: Indian Express