National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah made a heartfelt appeal to Kashmiri Pandits on Monday. He called on them to return to their ancestral homes in the Kashmir Valley. However, Abdullah expressed skepticism about a large-scale permanent return. He believes most Pandits have settled comfortably in other parts of the country.
A Visit, Not a Homecoming
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Abdullah shared his candid thoughts. He was attending a two-day party event when the topic arose. "They will come like visitors," Abdullah stated. "I do not think that they will come to live permanently." He pointed out practical reasons for this belief. Many Kashmiri Pandits have built lives elsewhere over the decades.
Roots Elsewhere
Abdullah elaborated on the challenges facing a mass return. "First of all, they have to think about it as they have settled everywhere," he explained. He noted that an older generation now requires consistent medical care. Their children are deeply embedded in educational systems across India. They attend schools, colleges, and universities far from Kashmir. Uprooting these established lives presents a significant hurdle.
Observances and Demands
The National Conference leader's comments come amid annual observances. Kashmiri Pandit groups mark January 19 as "Holocaust Day." They hold demonstrations demanding a dignified and safe return to the Valley. When asked about these protests, Abdullah posed a direct question. "Who is stopping them from returning home?" He reiterated his encouragement for them to go back to their native places and live comfortably.
Those Who Stayed
Abdullah also reminded people that not every Pandit left. A number of Kashmiri Pandit families chose to remain in the Valley. They continue to live there to this day. Their presence is often overlooked in broader narratives about exile and displacement.
Promises and Politics
On the issue of rehabilitation, Abdullah referenced his own tenure. He said his government had promised to construct houses for returning Pandits. They pledged to provide all necessary support. After his government fell, he stated, the responsibility shifted to the Centre. He implied that follow-through on those plans has been lacking.
Meanwhile, several Kashmiri Pandit organizations advocate for a separate homeland within the Valley. They argue this is essential to address ongoing safety and security concerns for the community.
Warning Against Division
Abdullah turned his attention to the political climate. He warned against forces trying to engineer a communal divide. He suggested some groups are exploiting Hindu-Muslim tensions for votebank politics. "This nation belongs to all, and it has unity in diversity," Abdullah asserted. "But if some people intend to engineer a communal divide, then who can stop them?"
Incident in Jammu
He cited a recent controversy to illustrate his point. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence had its permission to run an MBBS course withdrawn. Protests had erupted against the admission of Muslim students. Abdullah pointed to this event, asking, "Who are the people spreading hatred in the Jammu region?" His question underscored his concern about rising sectarian sentiments.
Farooq Abdullah's statements paint a complex picture. They blend a genuine invitation with a pragmatic assessment of reality. The dream of a full return for Kashmiri Pandits faces the hard truths of time, settlement, and contemporary politics.
