Mela Kheer Bhawani: Farooq, Mehbooba call for return of Kashmiri Pandits

Ganderbal, Jun 03: Amid spiritual fervour of the annual Mela Kheer Bhawani at the revered temple in Tullmulla, top political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir joined thousands of devotees in offering prayers and called for the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.
National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah, accompanied by Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Sogami, Minister Satish Sharma and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, paid obeisance at the temple, calling the festival a symbol of interfaith harmony.
“I wish all Kashmiri Pandits would return to the valley. Kashmir is a spiritual land, and this mela is a reflection of the deep bond between Hindus and Muslims,” Dr Abdullah said while speaking to reporters.
He said the large gathering of devotees at the Mela, despite the recent attack in Pahalgam and a four-day military operation that followed, is a positive sign that fear is slowly fading among the people. “This huge presence is not ordinary. It’s Mata’s blessing. She called her children back to their roots,” he said, referring to the revered deity of the shrine.
“This gathering is a symbol of peace. Devotees come here to pray for the country, and we must build on this spirit to heal old wounds,” Dr Farooq added.
The NC chief said that Kashmir’s essence is deeply rooted in the legacy of saints, sages and Sufis, and the Kheer Bhawani Mela stands as a symbol of that shared heritage.
Abdullah encouraged people from across the country, especially those hesitant after the recent attack, to visit Jammu and Kashmir without fear. “People in Jammu are also afraid and avoiding Mata Vaishno Devi’s darshan. I want to tell everyone don’t fear, come and seek blessings,” he said.
The former chief minister said that during his tenure, efforts were made to bring back displaced Pandits and ensure they had access to housing, land and employment. He acknowledged the efforts of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in providing jobs to displaced Pandits.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, during her visit to the shrine, said: “Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits. The issues here cannot be solved with guns.”
Calling for the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits, Mufti said they must be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the region’s peace and future.
The Mela Kheer Bhawani, celebrated at the temple dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, is one of the most significant festivals for Kashmiri Pandits. This year, the festival witnessed participation from devotees across the country, with tight security arrangements in place and an atmosphere of communal harmony prevailing.