Jagti: Living away from their homeland of Kashmir for the past 36 years, displaced Kashmiri Pandits on Wednesday voted with a collective demand to establish a ‘homeland’ in the valley.
They also sought resettlement that ensures continuity for the younger generation with their roots through this initiative.
The community members termed the government’s proposal to provide jobs and official quarters in Kashmir to 5,000 Kashmiri migrant youths, including Muslims and Sikhs, as merely symbolic. They argue that this gesture undermines the return and rehabilitation needs of the 300,000-strong community.
There was little effect of the poll boycott call given by Panun Kashmir and other organisations, who were pressing for the enactment of a law to ensure legal recognition of alleged atrocities against the community.
“The only demand we have consistently voted for over the years is our collective right to a homeland in Kashmir. It is disheartening that this demand has continuously fallen on deaf ears,” said 70-year-old Avtar Krishen.
Krishen, a retired teacher, voted in the Kulgam assembly segment at a polling station in Jagti.
He lamented that government policies on “return and rehabilitation” announced over two decades ago have never been effectively implemented. Instead, they have served as mere symbols of intent, he added.
“Subsequent governments, including the Congress and later the BJP, have treated the rehabilitation of just 6,000 out of our 300,000 population with government jobs and official housing until retirement. Is this truly rehabilitation?” he questioned.
The community which fled from the valley in the early 90s under fear of militancy demanded their permanent return and rehabilitation with guarantee of peace and security.
Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) lined up in long queues amid tight security to cast their votes in 16 assembly constituencies of Kashmir in the first phase of elections.
Similarly, 67-year-old Poshkar Nath, who voted in the Shangus-Anantnag constituency where three Kashmiri Pandits are contesting elections, voiced concerns over political commitments to the return and rehabilitation of KPs in the valley.
“We hope that the BJP, which has governed this country for over a decade, fulfills its promise of the Tika Lal Taploo Rehabilitation Scheme for our return to the valley, as stated in their manifesto. They must also investigate the reasons behind the rise of terrorism and subsequent exodus of KPs from the valley, as promised,” Nath added.
Accompanied by his wife Tosha, Nath emphasised the urgency of restoring their residences and postal addresses in the valley in their lifetime, providing solace and connecting the younger generation to their roots rather than prompting them to leave the country.
However, the younger generation of KPs emphasises the need for job opportunities in both government and private sectors in the valley for a sustainable return and rehabilitation.
“We believe that any return and rehabilitation plan must ensure employment opportunities alongside settlement to prevent the large-scale migration of our youth abroad. This is a critical concern for preserving our 5,000-year-old civilization,” said Vaibhav, a young voter studying medicine.
Young voters from the community advocate for innovative solutions to address this humanitarian issue and call for a united effort by all parties to save their ancient civilization in the valley.
“Through our votes, we urge all political parties to adopt a unified approach to safeguard the existence of this ancient civilization from extinction. Short-term and superficial approaches must be avoided to ensure their return, rehabilitation and promotion in the valley,” said Rosy, who voted in the Pulwama constituency.
Most voters expressed optimism about participating in assembly elections after a decade, unaffected by the poll boycott calls.
“We are very pleased that elections are being held after 10 years. This is a positive development, and I encourage everyone to come out and vote,” said Vaibhav Tickoo.
Over 35,000 displaced KPs from across the country are eligible to vote at 24 polling stations in the first phase of the three-phased assembly elections in J&K on Wednesday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole, who visited various polling stations designated for Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, said polling is proceeding peacefully in the first phase of elections without incident.
“We have established 19 polling stations for Kashmiri migrants to vote in 16 assembly segments of Kashmir,” he said.
Pole said he had visited several polling stations for Kashmiri migrants in Jammu and reported nearly 20 per cent voter turnout.
Displaced KPs exercised their right to vote in 16 constituencies across south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts.
Six candidates from the community are contesting in the first phase of elections.
Sanjay Saraf is contesting from the Anantnag seat as a Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJSP) candidate, BJP’s Vir Saraf, Apni Party’s M K Yogi and Dileep Pandita, an Independent, is in the fray from the Shangus-Anantnag seat.
Rosy Raina and Arun Raina are contesting as the Republic Party of India (RPI) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidates from the Rajpora and Pulwama seats respectively.
