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Mint
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Mehbooba Mufti seeks dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley: ‘Time to remove blot on Muslims'
People's Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has sought dignified return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley while while batting for reservation in the assembly for the community. The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the reintegration of Kashmiri pandits must not be viewed merely as a symbolic return, but as an opportunity to build a shared, inclusive and forward-looking future for Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan on 2 June. This was her first one-on-one meeting with the LG in about five years since the abrogation of Article 370. Mufti also submitted what she called an "inclusive and phased roadmap" to facilitate "meaningful progress" on the front. Mehbooba also submitted copies of the proposal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Quoting the date from Relief Office established by the government of Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, Mehbooba said 44,167 migrant families were officially registered as having fled the Valley due to security reasons in 1990s. Of these about 90 per cent (39,782) families were of Kashmiri pandits. By 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the number of displaced Kashmiri pandit families had risen to 64,951. In her proposal, Mehbooba said every displaced Kashmiri Pandit family should be allotted half-a-kanal (one kanal= 505.87 sq mt) of state land in their district of origin, contingent upon their willingness to return. The families whose original homes still exist, but are in dilapidated or semi-damaged condition, should be provided targeted financial grants or interest-free loans for structural repairs and modernisation, she added. She also demanded establishment of two reserved assembly constituencies for the community. "This issue goes beyond politics and touches the very core of our collective conscience. It is a moral imperative and a societal responsibility to ensure that our Pandit brothers and sisters, who were tragically displaced from their homeland, are provided with the opportunity to return in a manner that is dignified, secure and sustainable," she said in the letter. Mehbooba said every political party in the union territory, irrespective of ideology, has consistently supported the idea of their return. "The shared pain of their displacement and the yearning for reconciliation bind us all in the belief that Kashmir can once again be a place where communities coexist peacefully. To facilitate meaningful progress on this front, an inclusive and phased roadmap has been attached for your consideration," she said. The PDP president said the proposal emphasises an all-stakeholders approach, ensuring that any policy or plan pitched is rooted in empathy, mutual trust and most importantly, the on ground realities. "I urge your office to initiate a dialogue driven process involving representatives from the community, civil society, local leaders and relevant administrative agencies. Only through inclusive deliberations can we chart a future where no community feels alienated in their own land," she added in the letter to the LG. Mehbooba described the mass displacement as one of the largest internal migrations in post-independence, which necessitates a comprehensive, justice-oriented and sustainable policy framework. "The return of Kashmiri Pandits is not merely a demographic or administrative concern but stands as a matter of historical justice, reconciliation and the restoration of Kashmir's pluralistic ethos," she said. The PDP chief said the return of displaced individuals must be anchored in a sense of security for government employees who play a critical role in rebuilding community confidence. She called for amending and strengthening the provisions under the Prime Minister's Special Rehabilitation Package to include a clearly defined, enforceable mechanism for the secure transfer and redeployment of Pandit employees. "Those posted in vulnerable or high-risk zones must be given the option to be transferred to safer, more stable areas without jeopardizing career progression or benefits," she said. Mehbooba called for holding an annual "Return & Reconnect" summit, bringing together displaced Kashmiri Pandit families, local communities, government officials, civil society organisations and academic experts. She also demanded appointment of dedicated officers in every district of the valley to serve as single-window facilitators for displaced families. 'It is time to work jointly to remove the blot on Kashmiri Muslims over their exodus from the valley,' she told reporters. Later, speaking to reporters here, she said no political process is complete without Kashmiri Pandits. "This is not just the responsibility of the government, but of the people and political parties," she said. The PDP chief also said that the return of KPs cannot be possible without empowering the community and it was the time to work jointly to 'remove the blot on Kashmiri Muslims over their exodus from the valley.' This issue goes beyond politics and touches the very core of our collective conscience.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mufti gives proposal for return & rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, on Monday handed over a proposal for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stating that no political process is complete without Kashmiri said she has also sent a copy of her proposal to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This was the first formal meeting of the People's Democratic Party chief with the LG at Raj Bhawan in recent years. Mufti has proposed that the government should provide 0.5 kanal of land in their native districts to Kashmiri Pandit families, who want to return to Kashmir willingly. She also proposed that instead of nominating two Kashmiri Pandits to the J&K assembly, two assembly seats should be reserved for Kashmiri Pandits, from where they can be voted to the assembly by the common people."The issue of the dignified return and rehabilitation of our Kashmiri Pandit brethren goes beyond politics and touches the very core of our collective conscience," said Mufti adding, "It is a moral imperative and a societal responsibility to ensure that our Pandit brothers and sisters, who were tragically displaced from their homeland, are provided with the opportunity to return in a manner that is dignified, secure and sustainable." She has suggested that the transfer policy of Kashmiri Pandits working in sensitive areas should be relaxed and there should be an annual 'return and reconnect' summit to start consistent inter community per the Ministry of Home Affairs data presented in 2020, the number of displaced Kashmiri Pandit families had risen to 64,951, including 43,618 families in Jammu, 19,338 in Delhi and 995 families in other states and Union Territories."Every political party in J&K, irrespective of ideology, has consistently supported the idea of their return. This proposal emphasises an all-stakeholders approach, ensuring that any policy or plan pitched is rooted in empathy, mutual trust and most importantly, the on-ground realities."
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mehbooba seeks dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits
People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday (June 2, 2025) sought the dignified return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, saying their reintegration must not be viewed merely as a symbolic return, but as an opportunity to build a shared, inclusive and forward-looking future for Jammu and Kashmir. The former Chief Minister, who called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar, submitted an "inclusive and phased roadmap" to facilitate "meaningful progress" on the front. The PDP chief also submitted copies of the proposal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "This issue goes beyond politics and touches the very core of our collective conscience. It is a moral imperative and a societal responsibility to ensure that our Pandit brothers and sisters, who were tragically displaced from their homeland, are provided with the opportunity to return in a manner that is dignified, secure, and sustainable," Ms. Mufti said in the letter. Ms. Mufti said every political party in the Union Territory, irrespective of ideology, has consistently supported the idea of their return. "The shared pain of their displacement and the yearning for reconciliation bind us all in the belief that Kashmir can once again be a place where communities coexist facilitate meaningful progress on this front, an inclusive and phased roadmap has been attached for your consideration," she said. The PDP president said the proposal emphasises an all-stakeholders approach, ensuring that any policy or plan pitched is rooted in empathy, mutual trust and, most importantly, the on ground realities. "I urge your office to initiate a dialogue-driven process involving representatives from the community, civil society, local leaders, and relevant administrative agencies. Only through inclusive deliberations can we chart a future where no community feels alienated in their own land," she added in the letter to the L.G..
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Bridge Of Friendship, Not Theatre Of War': Mehbooba Mufti On J&K's Role In India-Pakistan Ties
Last Updated: Mehbooba Mufti said that Jammu and Kashmir has consistently suffered the consequences of war and violence People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said on Saturday that Jammu and Kashmir should serve as a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan, rather than becoming a battleground for conflict. While addressing party workers in Srinagar, Mufti said that Jammu and Kashmir has consistently suffered the consequences of war and violence, comparing the region to 'grass trampled under the feet of two fighting elephants." 'The PDP will continue to raise its voice for peace and channel the sentiments of people. We must end the spectre of war so that people can plan their lives and revive the economy. Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge of understanding, friendship and cooperation, not a theatre of war," she said. Reacting strongly to recent remarks made by the National Conference (NC) leadership, including party president Farooq Abdullah's call for intensified military action against Pakistan, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said such statements reflect a dangerous mindset. 'When the Indus Waters Treaty was put in abeyance by the government of India, it was (Jammu and Kashmir) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who hailed the move and even advocated for an immediate halt to water supplies to Pakistan. 'We may have political differences with the government of Pakistan, but not with its people. It is saddening that such remarks are being made by the leader of the only Muslim-majority state in the country," she added. 'These leaders want more war and more dead bodies. It is, however, only the PDP that has consistently advocated for an end to hostilities and spoken for the people's right to live a life of dignity," she said. First Published: May 31, 2025, 23:09 IST
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘J&K should be a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan': Mehbooba Mufti
People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan and not a theatre of war. Addressing party workers in Srinagar, Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir has always borne the brunt of war and violence, according to PTI news agency. 'The PDP will continue to raise its voice for peace and channel the sentiments of people. We must end the spectre of war so that people can plan their lives and revive the economy,' Mufit was quoted as saying by PTI. 'Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge of understanding, friendship and cooperation, not a theatre of war.' She also reacted to calls for intensified military action against Pakistan from Kashmiri leaders, saying that such statements reflect a dangerous mindset. Also Read | Counter intelligence wing of J&K Police conduct raids across Valley 'When the Indus Waters Treaty was put in abeyance by the government of India, it was (Jammu and Kashmir) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who hailed the move and even advocated for an immediate halt to water supplies to Pakistan,' she said. "We may have political differences with the government of Pakistan, but not with its people. It is saddening that such remarks are being made by the leader of the only Muslim-majority state in the country," she added, according to PTI. Also Read | J&K's development won't stop, terror will get stronger reply: Amit Shah in Poonch Mufti also warned against the "rising tide of war rhetoric" that, according to her, continues to impact the people of the region. "These leaders want more war and more dead bodies. It is, however, only the PDP that has consistently advocated for an end to hostilities and spoken for the people's right to live a life of dignity," she said. Operation Sindoor was India's direct military response to the April 22 terror strike at Pahalgam in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians in what was the worst attack on civilians since the 26/11 Mumbai strikes. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The pre-dawn strikes – which killed at least 100 terrorists – sparked a series of attacks and counter attacks across the western border, involving fighter jets, missiles, armed drones, and fierce artillery and rocket duels. In one such counterattack on the night of May 9-10, the air force struck targets at 13 Pakistani air bases and military installations. After four days of fighting, military hostilities were stopped on May 10 as the two nations reached an understanding.
