Nobody on earth can deny the fact that the Kashmir pandits belong to Kashmir; they have a connection with this part of the world, which is possibly long and strong than any other community; they are as ancient as this place, but the uncertainty around not only has made their survival in Kashmir difficult but at the same time has made them look like aliens. It was this constant threat factor that made them live like migrants in the mainland areas of the country way back in the 90’s as well, however then, there was a bright hope as things started getting better; some people returned to their homes to start afresh, but the darkness, a constant life threat has once again made a strong comeback. The targeted killings are indeed out of control and that’s visible.
While all such killings are tragic and make no sense at all, the killing of an orchardist, Puran Krishan Bhat from north Kashmir’s Shopian had an added factor in it: one more innocent killed for reasons known to no one. The killing, however, touched something within; something that pitched for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits in identified and secured places by going out of the box. These people deserve to live with dignity like other people in Kashmir, because: how dark and heavy is it that a person sees his life in danger in his home and just wants to flee?
The killings must end and it is high time for going ahead with a comprehensive rehabilitation-cum-protection plan for Kashmiri pandits for that, to begin with, they must be brought together and settled in an identified area that could be near or around Qazigund. The area needs to be kept reserved for Kashmiri Pandits and should have the proper security rings, liveable homes, hospitals, educational institutions, and other necessary facilities. While they are made to feel secure, they should also be provided with the necessary financial help until things are brought under control in Kashmir.
What happened in the 90’s is a tragic history that cannot be changed, but what Government now needs to focus on is to prevent another possible migration of Kashmiri pandits from the Valley, which might be in the offing if the lawlessness, lack of state control over the situation—which is on these days keeping in view the killings—continues any further. There is a need for looking at the issue with a human eye rather than politicizing the matter for points scoring.
