Srinagar: The proposal mooted by the Centre to have separate enclaves in Kashmir for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits has not found favour with the mainstream political and separatist groups in the valley, and has also been rejected by most organizations representing Kashmiri Pandits.
There are reports that three identified ‘settlements’ will be carved out of existing populated areas of Kashmir for the Kashmiri Pandits. A total of17, 000 Kanals of land was proposed be given for this purpose. The prime objection of all concerned people is that the idea of creating ‘Bantustans’ within Kashmir violates Kashmiryat, which has defined both Muslims and Hindus living in the valley for centuries. Those opposing the idea say that this will create social and communal tensions in the valley, and is fraught with dangerous consequences.
As a result, even though all political groups and most people in the valley are supporting the return and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, stiff opposition to the proposal of separate enclaves has derailed the rehabilitation process. What has made matters worse is that no clarity has emerged as to the nuances of the proposed resettlement plan. Most Kashmiri Pandit leaders other than the Panun Kashmir are opposing the idea of rehabilitating the exiled community in separate enclaves.
National Spokesperson of opposition PDP Dr Sameer Koul told KNS that there are vested interests in the state establishment as well as at Centre, who do not want the reunion of the two communities for their partisan interests. Dr Koul said the ulterior motive to create permanent barricades between the two communities should be opposed tooth and nail. “Is there any opposition to the return of the exiled community to their home and hearth from anyone?” Koul questioned. He appreciated that the majority community has been asserting since long that they will ensure the safety and security of their brethren and want to revive the Kashmiri culture of peaceful co-existence between the two communities.
Koul said that on one hand, the government at the Centre and in the state have been saying that the situation has improved tangibly. On the other hand, there seems to be a conscious effort to vitiate the atmosphere of coexistence and the composite culture of the valley. The dominant feeling is that these separate enclaves for Kashmiri Pandits are aimed at creating a wall between the elements of Kashmiri society that have always co-existed peacefully. “Even the fateful days of 1990 did not see a ‘communal riot’. There were targeted ‘murders’ of the Pandits at a time when there were more targeted murders of Kashmiri Muslims,” said Dr Koul. Bhushan Lal Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit and an NC leader, said the proposal to create separate enclaves was actually an effort to divert attention from the main political problems of J&K, and give it a religious and communal colour. “We have been living together for centuries, and will continue to live as loving neighbours. These separate enclaves will create barriers among Hindus and Muslims. We cannot accept any such proposal,” he said.
Leaders of most Kashmiri pandit organizations agree with this viewpoint. “Separate enclaves for Kashmiri Pandits are neither workable nor practical. They will only add to the problem,” Sanjay Saraf, National Youth President of Lok Janashakti Party told KNS. Saraf said only the affluent young Kashmiri Pandits who have settled outside the state favour the idea of separate enclaves. The majority of middle-class and poor pandits living in migrant camps want to return to their villages and live with their brethren of the majority community. Saraf said that rehabilitating the exiled community in separate enclaves goes against the spirit and ethos of Kashmiryat.
“These separate settlements are the idea of those who want to visit Kashmir as tourists during summers, stay here for some days with their families and go back,” Saraf said. He asserted that the Kashmiri Pandits who want to return to their homeland, and live and work here, do not subscribe this idea. Saraf highlighted that such a proposal only suits the right wing BJP and its subsidiaries in J&K, not the suffering Kashmiri pundits. “All political groups in the Valley support the idea of the return and rehabilitation of the Pandits. Therefore, the proposal of settling the Pandits in separate colonies is illogical” Saraf said.