Kashmiri Pandits integral to valley’s social fabric: Hakeem

Srinagar, Mar 09: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Chairman, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen on Sunday said Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part of Kashmir’s social and cultural identity. He stressed the need for comprehensive efforts to ensure their dignified return to their homeland.
In a statement issued here, Hakeem said the people of Kashmir have always been ready to welcome their Kashmiri Pandit brethren, irrespective of the circumstances under which they left the valley. “Kashmiri Pandit community is an essential pillar of Kashmiri society, whose absence is deeply felt, particularly during festivals such as Ramadan, Eid and other cultural celebrations,” he said.
Recalling his tenure as Revenue Minister, the 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.
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.
Emphasising the cultural and social vacuum left by the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the former minister 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 PDF Chief lamented that despite multiple attempts, no government has been successful in ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits. “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 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 jeopardising their future, there are also forces within the Kashmiri Pandit community exploiting their concerns for personal and political gains,” he said.
He 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.