Srinagar, Mar 09 (KNO): President Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen on Sunday emphasized that Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part of Kashmir's social and cultural identity, stressing the need for comprehensive efforts to ensure their dignified return to their homeland.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Hakeem Yaseen said that the people of Kashmir have always been ready to welcome their Kashmiri Pandit brethren, irrespective of the circumstances under which they left the Valley.
He described the Kashmiri Pandit community as an essential pillar of Kashmiri society, whose absence is deeply felt, particularly during festivals such as Ramadan, Eid, and other cultural celebrations.
Recalling his tenure as Revenue Minister, PDF President said that both former Chief Ministers Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly advocated for the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
“During that period, we initiated several measures to facilitate their return, including the construction of transit accommodations and introducing schemes aimed at their rehabilitation,” he said.
Hakeem Yaseen acknowledged that these efforts, though well-intentioned, were temporary and lacked a sustainable, long-term approach. “The initiatives taken in the past were like short-term remedies. What is needed now is a permanent solution that ensures their dignified return to their original homes,” he stressed.
Emphasizing the cultural and social vacuum left by the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Hakeem Yaseen said, "The people of Kashmir are incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits; their presence is vital — like a garden without flowers. Their absence is deeply felt in our social gatherings, cultural events, and festivals."
The senior PDF leader lamented that despite multiple attempts, no government has been successful in ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits. He stressed that while the government must take responsibility, there is also a need for proactive efforts from within the Kashmiri Pandit community itself. “Kashmiri Pandits must play a vital role in reclaiming their rightful place in their ancestral land,” he said.
Hakeem Yaseen expressed concern over certain elements deliberately obstructing the return of Kashmiri Pandits. “Just as some elements in the Valley misled youth by advocating poll boycotts and jeopardizing their future, there are also forces within the Kashmiri Pandit community exploiting their concerns for personal and political gains,” he said.
The PDF President also pointed out that when Kashmiri Pandits visit their Muslim friends in the Valley, they face no security concerns, indicating that their fears are often manipulated for vested interests. “The bond between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims has always been one of mutual respect and brotherhood,” he said.
Hakeem Yaseen urged the government to adopt a holistic approach that goes beyond temporary measures and focuses on creating an environment conducive to the return of Kashmiri Pandits. He called for economic incentives, improved security arrangements, and community-driven initiatives to facilitate their seamless reintegration into Kashmiri society.
“We must ensure that Kashmiri Pandits return not as guests but as rightful inhabitants of their land, with dignity, security, and respect,” he added—(KNO)