Return of Migrants
- Some Issues
by P. N. Kalla We
stand at a juncture of time, when it might be necessary to take a review
of the backdrop of events to appreciate the complexity of the situation
confronting the uprooted segment of Kashmiri population called migrants.
A bomb blast
here and a bomb blast there signalled the onset of militancy in the Valley
towards October 1989. An armed attack on a senior police officer gave a
sense of seriousness tor the first time to what was to follow. Shocking
as the news spread, it was a dare-devil act of a rare occurrence, the people
had ever witnessed.
An action programme
conceived and planned by the neighbouring country to be executed through
a network of indoctrinated and paid agents established and positioned all
over the state tor subversion did, not attract any serious attention on
the part of the government, despite possible intelligence reports.
The Kashmiri Pandits, in particular, had remained ignorant of the fact of a large number
of Muslim youth having crossed the borders to receive training in the use
of arms and subversion in Pakistan. Perhaps, it was the result of complacency
of living in relative harmony amongst the majority community coupled with
a false sense of assurance of living under the constitutional guarantees
of the right to live with dignity and honour, practise faith of one's belief
and opportunity for progress. Backed by a cultural heritage, we had come
to live in an era when universally held human rights gave a sense of assurance
to every human being living in an organised and civilised society anywhere
in the world.
Pan-Islamic
Fundamentalism
Pan-Islamic
fundamentalists and the theocratic state of Pakistan were ill at ease and
worked to destabilise the unity and integrity of secular India. The Kashmir
leadership backed by wrong policies of the Central Government progressively
prepared the ground and made it fertile for any adversary to foment trouble.
This helped the leadership to exploit the geo-political situation solely
to perpetuate their self-interest and hold on to power drawing huge funds
from Central grants. By undue stress on Muslim character and special status
of the state, the leadership succeeded in obstructing an emotional integration
with the mainstream. Corruption, nepotism, favouritism in the body politic
and administrative machinery left the people largely discontented, as the
fruits of development did not reach those for whom it was meant. The Kashmiri
Pandits, in particular, suffered a patent discrimination in all walks of
life, be it political, economic or educational, with restricted opportunities
available in their own land of origin for growth and progress. This was
in utter violation of the provisions and spirit of the democratic, secular
Constitution of India. Ultimately, the inability on the part of government
to protect the life, honour and property of Kashmiri Pandits against the
militancy of Islamic crusade in spite of elaborate law and order, administrative
and security structure shattered their confidence. The exodus started following
the selective killings, kidnappings, torture and more. This was the only
option an unarmed minuscule minority could exercise to save its life and
honour in the face of various threats issued.
Loss of
Identity
The wrongs
seem to be so deep-rooted and measures so inadequate and ineffective that
despite seven years of fight against the militancy and terrorism, the Valley
is still away from the normalcy of the kind where a migrant can think of
returning to his home without fear. With the passage of time, the displaced
people have grown restive as they continue to suffer indignity, besides
physical and mental agony. The damage wrought to the social base, in terms
of breaking up and dispersal of families, the loss of identity and psychological
set- back is incalculable. The type of ethnic cleansing has an adverse
implication and damaging effect on the secular fabric of India and deserve
all seriousness in the unity and integrity of the country are to be maintained.
Thc national
scene has changed lately. A multi- party coalition government has taken
over after the recent Lok Sahha elections. Kashmir stands as a testing
ground for the survival of India as an integral nation. The policies of
the last 50 years have amply proved that there was something patently wrong
with the perceptions, approaches and methods used in dealing with the Kashmir
problem.
No doubt, elections
to Parliament and the State Assembly have been held, yet it is clear that
the turmoil brought in by the militancy resulting in large- scale migration
has changed the very basis of the constituency representation as far as
the migrant voters were concerned.
India cannot
afford to leave weak spots where its secular character, security and integrity
are undermined. At the social level, it is necessary to promote a sense
of patriotism and national identity. The nation should be intolerant to
anti-national activities, no matter where it breeds as it should be for
safeguarding human rights of all its citizens.
Sustaining
Hope
Given this
scenario, would it be possible for the Kashmiri Pandits to return to their
homes in the immediate future, a hope on which every displaced individual
has sustained himself so far. What would be his future destiny like? What
would be the type of safeguards for his survival in the land of his birth
and origin, particularly against fanatic Islamic fundamentalists, who do
not believe in co-existence and composite culture that Kashmir essentially
represents? What is the type of social environment and attitude that awaits
him in his own land? How far would he be allowed to partake in the political,
economic, social, cultural and administrative activities as some one who
belongs to Kashmir as much as Kashmir belongs to him? Where does he fit
in when the idea of granting greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir is talked
about and aired by the United Front government leaders? Why can't a minority
status be given to this community when the same is allowed at the national
level to other minorities and ethnic groups?
Tremendous
Material Loss
In regard to
the tremendous material loss suffered by the community with houses damaged
and burnt, property looted, lands and houses occupied, business shattered,
incomes and resources shrunk - what would be the extent and manner of compensation
for rehabilitation? What would be the timeframe? How does the government
plan new settlements in Kashmir to house the homeless?
These are some
of the vital questions to which answers have to be found without any more
delay These are the questions which cannot he wished away. The generation
of Kashmiri Pandits cannot afford to wait indefinitely as, with the passage
of time, they will get absorbed in the struggle of existence in the length
and breadth of the country and lose their identity and moorings for all
times to come. All social and political organisations which operate at
different levels within and outside the state will be failing in their
bounden duty if they do not agitate on these issues with all their vigour
and with a sense of urgency and objectivity.
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