Resources for all concerned with culture of authoritarianism in society, banalisation of communalism, (also chauvinism, parochialism and identity politics) rise of the far right in India (and with occasional information on other countries of South Asia and beyond)
'Don't allow self-styled leaders to oppose resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits'
'No one has the right to
dictate anyone’s return to their own home,' write a group of Kashmiri
Muslims in response to Hurriyat's call.
Image credit:
IANS
A couple of days ago, the pro-Pakistan faction of Hurriyat issued a press statement
in which it (once again) opposed the resettlement of the minority
Pandit community of Kashmir in composite colonies. The same faction has
been consistently opposing
such proposals seeking to resettle the internally displaced Pandits in
the valley. We are a group of Kashmiri Muslims (and there are many like
us) on whose behalf any faction of Hurriyat – which portrays itself as
the representative voice of all Kashmiris – does not speak.
We are
distressed that the minorities are being treated insensitively by
self-styled leaders in the name of secularism. If the separatists really
wish to remove their taint of communal intolerance, nothing could be
more counter-productive than opposing the return of Pandits. In fact,
this obstructionism only provides the definitive confirmation that the "tehreek’"
is indeed what it is alleged to be. Through this open letter, we wish
to make an appeal to Kashmiris of all denominations, including
separatists, to support the resettlement of Pandits and leave the
modalities of return for the Pandits to decide.
The fact is, before the start of their exodus in 1989, the Pandit population was already cloistered in certain localities and mohallas
in Kashmir. Where 1-3 families used live in a joint household, now they
have become 3-9 families. To make the Pandits relocate to their native
places means to squeeze them in a suffocating atmosphere, thereby
ensuring the quality of life remains dismal for them. The vicious
propaganda against the colonies is exposed when we consider that there
is no land available in the city, at least not at the scale required to
settle the displaced. Any large scale resettlement has to be
done though new colonies. This perhaps is the only pragmatic way,
considering that mostly Muslims are now occupying – legally and
rightfully – the properties that Pandits sold to them.
During the
decade that followed 1989, Kashmir witnessed unspeakable violence, the
brunt of which was faced by ordinary people who paid with their lives.
Under such circumstances, the minorities were left with no option but to
flee from their homeland. This was also a time when members of the
majority community fell short of assuring the Pandits safety, even as
the administration itself proved ineffectual in assuring security to
anybody who needed it. 1989-90 is a dark chapter in the history of
Kashmir when the entire fabric of the society was torn. If Kashmiriyat
ever existed, it died in 1990. We regret that not many of us came to the
rescue of Pandits in 1990 because we were also afraid of the gun or
were ignorant of their plight. We have witnessed and shared in the
suffering that common Kashmiri people went through in these years of
incessant armed conflict. As such, we have only empathy for the pain the
displaced minority community has suffered. A shrinking window of opportunity
However,
now, 26 years later we, the Kashmiri Muslims, are being offered an
opportunity to set things right, and all we have to do is not oppose
any resettlement plan of Pandits. No one has the right to dictate
anyone’s return to their own home. Pandits are as much Kashmiris as we,
the Muslims, are. In any case, the Pandits, being the state subjects,
have every right to live in any part of the Jammu and Kashmir state. On
the other hand, if this time too the “silent Muslim majority” allows
self-styled leaders to speak and act on our behalf, we will be
stereotyped in the eyes of the world as intolerant people who not just
drove away a religious minority but also resisted their return, thereby
adding one more taint on our secular character. In that case, history
will never remember our generation in a positive light. Indeed, over
this issue of return of Pandits, we Muslims have only our own reputation
at stake. We must act sensibly and facilitate their return rather than
create hindrances.
As for our Pandits friends, they should return
to Kashmir – not because they are being welcomed (or not), but because
it is their right that no one can take away. Pandits too have a
shrinking window of opportunity to return, as the new generations, who
never grew up in the valley, exhibit less interest and nostalgia
associated with Kashmir. This is a chance to infuse a new life into the
Kashmiri Pandit culture that got diluted in the diaspora.
Of
course, we would love it if Pandits were to choose to live amongst us
with full dignity, as our neighbours, in their erstwhile addresses, like
in the days prior to the dawn of the 90s. This indeed is what most of
us want. However, we will understand if the Pandits choose to resettle
elsewhere – what with their houses having been sold or destroyed, and
the situation still being volatile in the valley. We wish for them to
settle wherever they feel comfortable – the whole of Kashmir is their
home. They are free to settle in separate townships, if that is what
will make them feel secure. We will understand that and accept it as a
start, hoping someday we will all live together. Signatories:
Aamir Ahmad Amin, medical student
Abid Mushtaq Wani, scholar
Abrar Mustafa, self-employed
Arshia Malik, teacher
Ausifa Munshi, management professional
Haroon Rashid, doctor
Ifra, student
Khalid, student
Khalid Baig, entrepreneur
Mushtaq Dar, salesman
Sabahat Malik, learning and development professional
