Prominent Kashmiri Pandit Activists Reiterate Demand for Homeland in Kashmir Valley
On December 29, in a national webinar organized by Panun Kashmir (PK) to commemorate significant events, prominent displaced Kashmiri Pandit activists reiterated their demand for a “Homeland in Kashmir valley.” Additionally, they urged the Centre to enhance migrant relief and announce a special recruitment drive for the unemployed youth of the community.
The webinar saw the participation of distinguished activists of the displaced Hindu community of Kashmir living across the country, including Utpal Kaul, Virender Raina, Anupam Kaul, Upinder Saroop, Upinder Kaul, Kamal Bagati, Vijay Handoo, Rajinder Kaul, Pradeep Handoo, and R K Dhar.
Senior BJP and Kashmiri Pandit leader, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, also attended the program as a special guest speaker. The event included a briefing by K K Bujoo from Vitasta Desk on the latest updates regarding relief issues in Jammu and Delhi.
Participants from various locations like J&K, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurgaon paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the community’s cause and their right to live with dignity and religious freedom.
The community activists emphasized the two crucial facets concerning the survival and existence of the indigenous population of Kashmir. They focused on relief issues in Delhi and Jammu, highlighting the recent Government order that allowed certain community members to receive monthly relief post the family bifurcation.
Regarding relief in Delhi, the concerned members were informed that final approvals were being processed at the Government level, with an expected announcement in January 2026. The participants also emphasized the need for enhanced relief at the Government of India level.
Looking ahead to 2026, the community urged the central government to prioritize job opportunities for the unemployed youth of the displaced community, proposing a special recruitment drive to address this issue.
In terms of the community’s “existence” issue, participants reiterated the importance of the establishment of a Homeland in the valley for the displaced community or the balancing of population in Kashmir. They acknowledged partial implementation of the Margdarshan resolution of 1991 post the reorganization of J&K into Union Territories in 2019.
While recognizing the significant changes brought about by the Modi government in Kashmir, the participants stressed the need for detailed planning at the grassroots level for the resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. They also appealed for the institution of a special crimes tribunal to address atrocities against the Hindu community in Kashmir.
The activists paid tribute to advocate P N Bhat for his contributions in Kashmir, highlighting his role as an intellectual bridge between nationalistic forces in Kashmir and the national leadership.
Finally, the webinar concluded with the recitation of songs and hymns in memory of the martyrdom of the “Singh Sahiban” in their courageous fight against the Mughals.
