The Hindu : New Delhi News : Kashmiri Pandits observe `Holocaust Day'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 21, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

New Delhi

New Delhi

Kashmiri Pandits observe `Holocaust Day'

Staff Reporter

Community alleges that it is being ignored

NEW DELHI: Kashmiri Pandits, who fled the Valley in the wake of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, observed `Holocaust Day' here on Saturday. The community has been observing January 20 as `Holocaust Day' for the past 17 years to mark the mass exodus of Pandits on the night of January 19, 1990.

Lack of representation

Piqued at the lack of representation at various talks and negotiations, the community has alleged that it is being ignored and no efforts are being made to find solutions to their problems.

In a statement here, Kashmiri Samiti, a nodal agency of the community, said: "Direct victims of the Kashmir problem, the Kashmiri Pandit community finds its identity under strain. Its existence is being ignored and talks and negotiations are going on without any mention of their problems and their solutions."

The Kashmiri Samiti, as a representative organisation of the Pandits, has also rejected the four-point formula enunciated by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

"It is a trap in which India should not fall," the Samiti warned, demanding that all suggestions regarding joint control, joint management, earmarking zones and free travel across the Line of Control be rejected.

The Samiti has also demanded that pending a solution to the Kashmir problem all Kashmiri migrants be rehabilitated located wherever they are currently.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations, sit-ins and poster campaigns were also organised in the Capital by the All-India Kashmir Samaj (AIKS) and the Kashmiri Samiti. Members of the Samiti held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar here demanding immediate rehabilitation measures for the displaced community.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently stated that minority communities of the country must be given special status but he forgot to mention the Pandits. We demand our right to return home with dignity and safety," said the Political Affairs Committee Chairman of the Kashmiri Samiti, Sunil Shakdher.

Fernandes invitation

NDA convener George Fernandes, who joined the sit-in, has assured that the process of safeguarding the identity of the community will be initiated and has invited the Samiti representatives to the National Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Party meeting next week.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi