SRINAGAR: A senior government advisor in Jammu and Kashmir has emphasized the need for reconciliation and dialogue for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, stating that the entire Kashmiri society should not be held accountable for the circumstances leading to their displacement. The government plans to revive the Apex Committee, a key institutional mechanism aimed at facilitating their return and rehabilitation.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Chief Minister’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, addressed the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave in Srinagar on Saturday. The conclave, themed “From Exile to Excellence,” saw Wani articulate the administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the Kashmiri Pandit community. He stressed that any lasting solution would require a collective roadmap, moving beyond reciprocal blame.
Wani highlighted the shared history and social fabric of Kashmir, stating that it was unfair to attribute the actions of a few individuals to the entire Kashmiri populace. “You cannot paint everyone with the same brush. There were people whose hearts beat for Kashmiri Pandits then and continue to do so even today,” he remarked, recalling an era of communal harmony where religious identities were secondary to social relations.
He acknowledged the turmoil that led to the migration of a significant portion of the Pandit community, describing it as a period of immense suffering that affected all residents of Kashmir, including Kashmiri Muslims. “A storm came that affected everyone, bringing immense suffering to Kashmiri Pandits, but Kashmiri Muslims also suffered,” Wani stated. He added that a specific group with a divisive agenda was responsible, and not the entire society, noting that many Kashmiris have consistently desired the return of their Pandit neighbours.
To move forward, the advisor announced the government’s intent to revive the Apex Committee. This body, previously constituted to oversee the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, will be re-established. The government aims to engage actively with representatives of the Kashmiri Pandit community and other stakeholders to develop a practical and consensus-based roadmap. Consultations will be held to ensure a collaborative approach towards reconciliation.
Wani further underscored the integral role of the Pandit community in the cultural and social landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. “Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Kashmir, is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits. The Valley cannot be complete until Pandits return and become part of its social fabric once again,” he asserted. He recognized that while various government initiatives, including employment packages and transit accommodations, had been implemented by successive administrations, the overarching goal of a dignified return and reintegration remained unfulfilled.
The advisor maintained that administrative measures alone were insufficient for the Pandits’ return, emphasizing the critical need to rebuild trust between the communities. He called for open dialogue and mutual understanding, stating, “If we continue blaming each other, we will never reach a solution. We need to sit together, talk to each other, and collectively find a way forward.” He invoked a sense of shared identity and destiny, reminding attendees of their common history and future.
Preserving the rich linguistic, cultural, and traditional heritage of Kashmir, Wani noted, necessitates the participation of both communities. He expressed optimism that renewed dialogue would help bridge existing differences and foster an environment conducive to the dignified return and resettlement of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
The Chenab Times News Desk