Srinagar, Jun 03: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) president and former minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious twin occasions of Mela Kheer Bhawani, the revered Hindu festival dedicated to Mata Ragnya Devi, and the annual Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA), also known as Shah-e-Hamdaan (RA) the legendary Sufi saint who laid the foundations of spiritual and socio-cultural transformation in Kashmir.
In his message, Yaseen said that Mela Kheer Bhawani holds immense cultural and religious importance for Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) and symbolises the deep-rooted pluralistic ethos of the valley. He stressed that such festivals reinforce the inclusive and harmonious spirit of Kashmir, where communities of different faiths have coexisted with mutual respect and dignity for centuries.
On the occasion of Urs of Shah-e-Hamdaan (RA), he paid rich tributes to the revered saint, recalling his monumental contribution to the spiritual and cultural legacy of Kashmir. He said that Shah-e-Hamdaan (RA) not only propagated the message of peace, love, tolerance, and brotherhood but also played a vital role in shaping Kashmir’s unique identity through the promotion of traditional crafts, education, and social reform.
“The spiritual vision and civilisational mission of Shah-e-Hamdaan (RA) continue to guide us in these turbulent times. His legacy is a timeless reminder of how faith, culture, and compassion can transform societies,” he said.
Addressing the concerns surrounding the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, the former minister said the KPs are an inseparable part of the Kashmiri society, and their absence has created a cultural void that needs to be filled.
“Kashmir is incomplete without our Pandit brothers and sisters. Their return should not be politicised or reduced to hollow rhetoric. Those who now talk about their rehabilitation must introspect their own failures when they were in power,” he said.
Hakeem said the reintegration of Kashmiri Pandits can be meaningfully achieved through community-led initiatives and the support of civil society, rather than merely relying on government-sponsored or politically motivated packages.
The PDF chief appealed to both communities to rise above past wounds and work together to rebuild the syncretic heritage of Kashmir. “We must reject divisive narratives and stand united to preserve our shared history, culture, and future,” he said.
