KP organizations urge parties to address core issues ahead of polls

Jammu, Sep 03 : In the lead-up to the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, three prominent Kashmiri Pandit organizations—All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD), and Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM)—jointly addressed a press conference at the Jammu Press Club.
The focus of the conference was to demand clear commitments from mainstream political parties regarding the resolution of the ongoing issues faced by displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ramesh Raina, Dr. Utpal Koul, Daleep Mattoo, Ashwani Bhat, and Dr. Manorama Bhakhshi represented their respective organizations. They collectively called for political parties to present a concrete roadmap for the return, rehabilitation, and preservation of the cultural heritage of Kashmiri Pandits.
Key demands included the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the passage of the Temples and Shrine Bill, and improved living conditions for those residing in migrant camps. The organizations also voiced strong opposition to the renaming of sacred Hindu sites and emphasized the need for the well-being of PM package employees and those who remained in the Valley during the years of conflict.
The organizations urged an action-oriented response from political parties, emphasizing that mere rhetoric would not suffice. They vowed to remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice and rehabilitation for the Kashmiri Pandit community, committing to follow up on these issues with the relevant authorities. (KNS)