Rebuilding Hope: Key Support Needed for the Resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir

 

The resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in their ancestral homeland of Kashmir remains one of the most poignant and complex issues in modern Indian history. After being forcibly displaced in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to escalating violence and insurgency, the Kashmiri Pandit community has struggled with exile, loss, and the longing for a return to the land that was once their home. Despite decades of displacement, many members of the community continue to express a deep desire to resettle in Kashmir, but the process is fraught with challenges.

For Kashmiri Pandits, the return to Kashmir is not just about reclaiming lost homes and properties; it is also about restoring a sense of security, cultural heritage, and identity that was violently uprooted. As they look to resettle, the community seeks both government support and the involvement of Hindu organizations to ensure a safe, dignified, and sustainable return. This article explores the key areas of support that Kashmiri Pandits seek from both the Indian government and Hindu organizations like the RSS, VHP, and others, focusing on their demands for security, legal rights, economic assistance, cultural preservation, and social integration.

Understanding these needs is critical for creating a comprehensive and effective resettlement plan, one that not only addresses the past grievances but also builds a hopeful future for the Pandit community in Kashmir.

What Kashmiri Pandits want

Kashmiri Pandits, who were displaced from Kashmir during the violent insurgency in the late 1980s and early 1990s, have expressed various needs and concerns regarding their potential resettlement in the region. These needs are primarily centered around security, economic support, cultural preservation, and social integration. Here is a breakdown of what Kashmiri Pandits typically seek from both the government and Hindu organizations for their resettlement:

1. Security and Safety:

• Guaranteeing Personal Safety: The foremost concern of Kashmiri Pandits is the security of their lives and families. Many are still haunted by the violence and forced exodus of the 1990s. They want the government to provide concrete measures to ensure their physical security, including the deployment of security forces in areas where they would resettle, ensuring protection from militants and anti-national elements.
• Specialized Protection for Families: Given the history of targeted violence, they seek specialized protection for their families, especially during the resettlement phase. This includes protection for women, children, and elderly members.
• Security in Villages and Rural Areas: Many Kashmiri Pandit families come from rural areas where the security situation can still be precarious. They require assurances that their return will not trigger violence or unrest, and that local law enforcement will be adequately trained and equipped to handle the situation.

2. Property and Legal Rights:

• Restoration of Properties: A significant portion of Kashmiri Pandit families left behind homes, businesses, and lands during their exile. They seek the restoration of their ancestral properties, or at least adequate compensation if the properties have been legally transferred or sold during their absence.
• Legal Support for Property Reclamation: They need legal assistance to reclaim their properties, including land and homes, from encroachers or those who occupied their properties after their exodus. This would require the government to establish a transparent legal framework and help expedite cases related to property disputes.
• Land Rights and Housing: For those whose properties cannot be reclaimed, there is a demand for alternative land or housing solutions. This could involve government-provided housing or affordable housing projects where they can resettle with dignity.

3. Economic Support:

• Financial Aid and Compensation: Many displaced Pandits have struggled to rebuild their lives. They seek financial assistance or compensation for the hardships faced during their displacement. This could include one-time settlement grants, assistance for building homes, or funding for business startups.
• Employment Opportunities: Many returning Pandits are concerned about their livelihoods. They require job opportunities and support for self-employment or entrepreneurship. The government and Hindu organizations can help by offering vocational training, funding small-scale businesses, and creating job programs.
• Industry and Skill Development: For the younger generation, especially, they seek opportunities for skill development in industries like tourism, handicrafts, education, technology, and healthcare, areas where they can reintegrate into the local economy and contribute to the rebuilding of Kashmir.

4. Cultural and Religious Preservation:

• Reconstruction of Temples and Religious Sites: Many Pandits wish to restore and preserve their religious and cultural heritage, including temples, shrines, and community halls that were either destroyed or abandoned. They seek the government’s support in the rebuilding and maintenance of these sacred spaces.
• Cultural Revitalization Programs: They desire programs that promote the celebration of Kashmiri Pandit culture, traditions, and language. This could include cultural festivals, language schools, and community activities to help the younger generation reconnect with their roots.
• Education in Kashmiri Pandit Heritage: Establishing educational institutions that offer courses on the history, culture, and philosophy of Kashmiri Pandits could help the community preserve its identity. This would also help integrate younger generations back into their cultural traditions.

5. Psychological and Social Support:

• Addressing Trauma and Mental Health: Many Kashmiri Pandits carry emotional and psychological scars from the violence, loss, and exile they experienced. They require access to counseling services and mental health support to deal with the trauma of their past.
• Support for Resettling Families: Returnees need help with the social and emotional aspects of reintegration. Many have lived outside Kashmir for decades and need social networks, mentorship, and support systems to rebuild their lives and connect with the community again.
• Social Integration with Local Communities: They seek a harmonious reintegration into Kashmiri society, with both Pandits and Muslims working together for peace and coexistence. There is a desire for dialogue and cooperation between communities to foster understanding and eliminate the tensions that arose during the conflict.

6. Political and Legal Guarantees:

• Constitutional and Legal Safeguards: Kashmiri Pandits seek guarantees from the government that their rights will be protected under law. This includes ensuring their rights as citizens are safeguarded and that they are not politically or socially marginalized.
• Special Legislative Measures: Many Pandits seek the creation of special laws or policies that ensure their welfare, economic opportunities, and cultural preservation. This might include a separate policy for Kashmiri Pandits in the state of Jammu and Kashmir or specific provisions for their integration.
• Active Political Representation: They want to ensure political representation in the government and institutions in Kashmir. This includes supporting Kashmiri Pandit leaders who can advocate for their needs and act as a bridge between the community and local authorities.

7. Role of Hindu Organizations:

• Support in Advocacy and Awareness: Hindu organizations like RSS, VHP, and others should continue to advocate for the resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits at national and international levels. They can engage in campaigns to bring attention to the issue and mobilize resources for the community’s resettlement.
• Providing Community Support Networks: These organizations can help create social and emotional support systems for returning Pandits, such as counseling services, cultural gatherings, and family support groups.
• Promoting Unity and Reconciliation: Hindu organizations can help facilitate dialogue between Kashmiri Pandits and local Muslim communities to ease tensions, promote mutual respect, and foster a spirit of reconciliation.
• Resource Mobilization: They can also help with fundraising and mobilizing resources for the community’s welfare, including setting up scholarship programs, building houses, and creating employment opportunities.

Conclusion:

While there are calls for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland, the complex interplay of security, political, economic, and social factors continue to hinder their permanent return. The solution likely requires a combination of improved security measures, political reconciliation, economic opportunities, and broader social efforts to heal the wounds of the past. Until these challenges are addressed comprehensively, the return of Kashmiri Pandits remains a difficult and uncertain prospect.