The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a significant outreach programme aimed at engaging with the displaced Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community living in the Delhi-NCR region. The event, hosted at the residence of Union Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, at 4, Kushak Road, provided a platform for the community to voice their concerns and explore possible solutions to their challenges.
The gathering witnessed participation from people across diverse walks of life, with discussions centering on core issues affecting the Kashmiri pandit community. Among the top concerns raised was the discontinuation of the monthly Assistance for Migrants and Rehabilitation (AMR), which dominated the discourse.
Ravinder Pandita president of All India Kashmiri Samaaj led the meeting of large group of kashmiri pandits of Delhi NCR. While speaking on the occasion, AIKS president said that AMR issue was burning issue and thanked MoS PMO for part redressal on spot. He further asserted that similar issues are prevailing in other states as well,that also need to be addressed. Further all such cases be referred to J&K or an Addl secy level officer be posted in resident commission to look after immediate grievances. The minister acknowledged Ravinder Pandita’s and gesture for counting him as member of extended Kashmiri pandit Family.
Dr. Ramesh Raina, Alka Lahori, Dr. Manorama Bakshi, Shri Puran Patwari, and Bansi Razdan also shared their concerns and insights. The event also saw the presence of Jugal Kishore, MP from Jammu, several MLAs from Jammu and Kashmir, and BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva.
Ravinder Pandita, President of the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), delivered a powerful address emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention to alleviate the hardships of displaced KPs in NCR. He proposed the following actionable measures:
- Converting KP Migrant Cards into multipurpose identification cards.
- Establishing an extension office of the J&K Relief Commissioner at Kashmir House, 5-Prithvi Raj Road, New Delhi.
- Posting an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for Kashmiri Migrants at Kashmir House to liaise on critical issues with the Government of NCT Delhi.
- Creating a “Kashmir HAAT” to provide employment opportunities for skilled and talented Kashmiri Pandit youth.
- Promoting entrepreneurship by offering soft-term loans for business ventures.
AIKS President Ravinder Pandita highlighted the pivotal role of Kashmiri Pandits as India’s natural line of defense in Kashmir and underscored the need for a sustainable rehabilitation policy. He urged the government to create a blueprint addressing the long-term needs of the displaced community and called for granting KPs a legitimate minority status to pave the way for their safe and dignified return to their homeland.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the resilience and commitment of the Kashmiri Pandit community. “It is heartening to see the unwavering dedication of this community to their roots, despite enduring the nightmare of mass exodus,” he remarked, emphasizing the government’s determination to address their concerns. The programme served as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community while offering a glimpse of hope for future solutions.
