The return of Kashmiri Pandits back to the valley remains a key agenda of the BJP Government. With Amit Shah at the helm of affairs, the rehabilitation process seems to have picked up the pace. Kashmiri Pandits have sent a rehabilitation proposal to PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah which includes a comprehensive plan and package.
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The unofficial members of the Kashmiri community members who recently visited Mata Kheer Bhawani temple during the annual festival stated – “The involvement of the local Muslim leadership is very important in order to build confidence and the necessary environment to facilitate the return of the Kashmiri Pandits back to the valley.”
The roadmap for rehabilitation suggests a three-fold package — physical and economic rehabilitation along with the safety and security of the families.
The pandit community in their proposal have demanded multi-storey apartments in six districts – Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Sopore and Ganderbal. Each residential complex should be capable of accommodating approximately 40,000 people. The migrant community have also demanded the government to provide one-time compensation of Rs 30 lakh to families.
The economic rehabilitation according to the letter which EurAsian Times has access to calls for the construction of shopping complexes for migrant traders in Lal Chowk in Srinagar and land at subsidised rates to start a business like schools, hospitals, colleges etc.
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On the reservation aspect, the statement said that at least 10% reservation should be allocated in government jobs and professional institutions by granting minority status to the community members.
Emphasizing on the safety of the community, the statement read: “The community will live in clusters within the majority Kashmiri Muslim areas. The KP community, represented by unofficial delegates insisted on living with local Muslims brothers than being segregated like goats and sheeps.
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Even though this appears to be a noble initiative, the statement received a severe backlash as the unofficial leaders did not consult the KP community members and went ahead to share the action plan.
