30 Years have passed since the Kashmiri Pandits were forcefully evicted from the valley by militants. Kashmiri Pandits from across the city gathered at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to protest against the exodus of the community.
The protest was led by Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM), Kashmir Samiti Delhi, Roots in Kashmir (RIK) and Panun Kashmir.The protesters commemorating the black day demanded restoration of their human rights as they have faced discrimination over the years and have been alienated in their own motherland.
The community has been organising similar protests for many years now, but a certain boost of morale was evident in the community, due to recent developments in the valley , as they raised the slogans “Hum aa rahe hain”, “aaenge vo bhi apni sharton par”.
Anoop Bhat, Coordinator, Roots in Kashmir, said, “We have been made a forgotten community. Our entire culture is fading. Our existence is under threat.”
“Time has changed, no one would have thought the government will remove Article 370, but its done and soon we will also return. Wait for the right time to come.” said Vijay Tikko, who is Vice-Chairman of Panun Kashmir, explaining the slogans being raised.
“No single conviction has taken place against the people who have widely admitted that they were a part of the killings. Besides, these cases should be made to come out of the Kashmir region and brought to the forefront so that our community, which is on the verge of extinction, gets national attention and receives adequate justice.” said Mona Pandita , a protestor, demanding the rehabilitation of the community.
The event was concluded with lighting of lamps in memory of all those who gave their lives to preserve the unity and integrity of India in Kashmir.The date of 19th January 1990 will always be remembered as a black day which led around four lakh Kashmiri Pandits to resettle outside the valley as refugees.
#HumWapasAayenge trended on social media with people sharing memories of how they fled and their desire to return back to the valley.
Shikara, a bollywood movie is all set to hit the screens soon, depicting the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.
