Jammu, Jan 24: Panun Kashmir has welcomed the decision to withdraw the name of Rouble Nagi from the Panel of Community Leaders of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) at the national level with immediate effect.
The organization, representing the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, has termed the decision a “much-needed step toward restoring accountability and dignity in matters concerning minority rights.”
In an official statement, B.L. Koul, Organizing Secretary of Panun Kashmir, commended the NCM for taking this corrective action. “Rouble Nagi’s recent statements during her press conference in Srinagar were not only factually inaccurate but also deeply insensitive to the trauma and genocide endured by the Kashmiri Pandit community. “Her remarks displayed a lack of understanding of the complex realities faced by displaced Pandits and sought to trivialize the systemic ethnic cleansing of our people,” he said.
Koul emphasized that individuals occupying positions of influence in national institutions must demonstrate a thorough grasp of history and ground realities, particularly when addressing the plight of minority communities. “ Nagi’s attempt to distort the narrative surrounding the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and her misguided statements on our return have caused immense hurt to the community. Her removal from the panel reflects the seriousness with which such lapses are being addressed,” he added.
Panun Kashmir reiterated that any discourse on the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley must be rooted in justice, accountability, and the recognition of the genocide inflicted upon the community. “We hope this decision serves as a reminder to all public representatives and institutions that trivializing the suffering of genocide victims will not be tolerated. Only those who approach our issues with sensitivity and commitment to truth can contribute meaningfully to the cause of justice for Kashmiri Pandits,” Koul stated.
The organisation reaffirmed its demand for the recognition of the Kashmiri Pandit genocide and the establishment of a separate Homeland in Kashmir with Union Territory status, as outlined in the Margdarshan Resolution of 1991. “Panun Kashmir will continue to work tirelessly for the realization of our community’s aspirations and the protection of our identity, culture, and future,” Koul concluded.
Social activists slam Rouble Nagi’s statement
Prominent social activists, including Sunil Kaul and Sanjay Saproo, have strongly criticised Rouble Nagi, a member of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), for her recent remarks on the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) to the Valley.
During a press conference in Srinagar, Nagi claimed that KPs could return as there was “no negative attitude” toward them from local residents. In response, activists accused Nagi of either attempting to appease radical elements or being unaware of the circumstances behind the mass exodus of KPs in 1989-90.
“For over three decades, KPs have lived in exile due to lack of security, destroyed homes, and the absence of concrete rehabilitation plans. Her statement ignores this painful history. If there’s no hostility, why were Makhan Lal Bindroo and Rahul Bhatt brutally killed? These incidents reflect the grim realities KPs still face,” said Sunil Kaul.
Sanjay Saproo questioned how displaced KPs would return without proper planning, noting that many ancestral homes have been destroyed or sold under duress. “What is the roadmap for their safe return? Without addressing security and infrastructure, such statements are hollow and misleading,” he added.
The activists also criticized the lack of acknowledgment from Kashmiri leaders regarding the religious cleansing of KPs. “To this day, few political leaders in Kashmir admit that Pandits were forcibly driven out as part of a deliberate strategy orchestrated by Pakistan,” Koul emphasised.
Later, Kaul and Saproo asked Nagi to educate herself on the issue before making what they described as “irresponsible and dismissive” statements.
