New Delhi, January 18 (KNS): Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Kashmir (Policy & Strategy) Group, Ashok Bhan, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through an open letter to prioritize the return of exiled Kashmiri Pandits to their ancestral homeland.
The letter comes on the eve of January 19, which marks the anniversary of the 1990 mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, described by Bhan as “Kashmir’s Black Day.” Reflecting on the tragic events, he wrote, “On this day, a carefully drawn-out strategy of ethno-religious cleansing by armed insurgents was executed, forcing the Kashmiri Pandit community into exile. Thirty-five years later, they remain scattered, devastated, and on the verge of extinction.”
Bhan highlighted the lack of progress in fulfilling promises of rehabilitation for the displaced community despite the infrastructural and developmental push in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019. He emphasized, “The Kashmiri Pandit community is still waiting for tangible benefits. The promises made in Parliament and at the highest levels of government remain unfulfilled.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel”
While recognizing positive societal changes in Kashmir, Bhan underscored the growing demand for the return of the community. “Leaders, religious heads, and civil society have repeatedly said that Kashmir is incomplete without the physical presence of its native Kashmiri Pandits. There is a national political consensus on their Ghar Wapsi,” he noted.
In his appeal to the Prime Minister, Bhan urged for a comprehensive policy to ensure their safe and sustainable return. “This includes providing adequate security, economic incentives, political empowerment, and social support,” he wrote. He added, “The return of Kashmiri Pandits is essential for promoting peace, stability, and communal harmony in the region. It is also a matter of justice and human rights.”
Bhan concluded with a direct plea: “I beseech your government to prioritize the reversal of the Kashmiri Pandit exile and take immediate action to address their concerns. It is time to honor the promises made to this illustrious community and ensure their rightful return to their homeland.” (KNS)