The year 2025 was a year of struggle and achievements. The whole nation went through a number of tests and in many areas we, the people of India, proved our worth beyond our intrinsic value. The displaced community of the Kashmiri Pandits also went through a lot of struggle at many levels the past year. Most of the fronts included the issues related to their struggle for survival. Ever since their displacement in 1989-90 and thereafter, they are confronting different situations day in and day out which need urgent attention, resolution of the issues connected with their day-to-day survival and also expediting solutions of their problems.
The community that faced genocide and ethnic cleansing followed by their forced mass exodus in Kashmir were practically thrown on streets in 1989-90 period. Their refugee-life in their own country was full of pain and an uncertain future. However, the community’s three generations fought their battles together for survival and despite their colossal loss, they built a new life out of virtually nothing. The biggest sacrifice they made was to maintain a life decorum by imparting education to their wards in the most difficult times in the current context.
Refugee-life which included living in camps and rented accomodations at new places outside Kashmir valley was entirely a new experiment that everyone among the community had to undergo. The governments of the day took certain measures to bring a symbol of succor to the displaced population as a consequence of innumerable agitations, strikes, meetings, appeals and sit-in-protests by the community continuously during the last more than three decades.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the case of genocide and human rights violations against the displaced community filed by this author in March 1994 in its decision in the Commissions’s court in June 1999 said that the ‘Community of Kashmiri Pandits was not given the due understanding and relief that they deserved’. It also said that ‘the Commission is constrained to say that the acts akin to genocide were committted against the Kashmiri Pandits in the valley and…..a genocide type design may exist in the minds and utterances of the militants and terrorists against the Kashmiri Pandit community’. The governments and the administration failed to do what they were supposed to do for the victims of genocide in Kashmir even after their displacement from Kashmir.
The responsibility for their genocide rests with the Islamic fundamentalist and terrorist forces sponsored by Pakistan in Kashmir along with the cunning politicians who worked hands in glove with the radical elements in the valley to execute ethnic cleansing. The J&K government led by Farooq Abdullah connived with the conspirators to implement their planning of forced mass-exodus from Kashmir. Equally responsible is the government of India for its failure to take effective measures to stop the unfortunate happenings against the miniscule minority community in Kashmir for decades despite getting all intelligence and official reports about the same.
The Muslim majority community holds collective responsibility for its failure to protect the minorities -the indigenous population of the valley, the Kashmiri Pandits. Unfortunately, some of them joined the chorus for “raliv-chaliv-galiv” (get converted-flee-get killed) while others sat silent to see the eventual ‘Nazame-Mustafa’ replacing the rule of law and the constitution. Then there were also people who showed the road of exodus to the Pandit community and even provided all the logistics to make the mass-exodus a stark reality. This all happened for which it was falsely claimed by the dubious media and the so-called intellectuals and the compromised politicians that ‘the Pandits were encouraged by Governor Jagmohan to migrate outside the valley under his plan’. The world also kept silent when it was asked to speak, probably considering the Pandits the sons and daughters of “lesser god”.
Their jobs in the government and in the private sector in the valley were taken away by making appointments in their place simply by an order of the conniving government which was headed by V.P.Singh, the then Prime Minister and guided by Mufti Sayeed -the Home Minister. Their homes were looted and burnt in thousands, hundreds of their places of worship were also razed to the ground in their absence. While thousands of their houses were usurped without their consent, thousands were manipulated to be purchased under ‘distress sale’. All routes and causes for the return of the community to the Kashmir valley were mercilessly blocked with the help of the administration and the other political circles aiming for their “azadi”.
The displaced community kept fighting for every single right while in exile. Their fight for their existential issues is a story different from their fight for day-to-day survival. At every level, they had to face the apathy of the politicians and the government with the limbs of the administration doing what their bosses would dictate them to do. Inspite of all these negative developments, some positive developments also took place which kept hopes alive at the grassroot level. There were, however, always some sincere elements who would try to do whatever they could being a part of the government and the administration.
The monthly relief to those who were not gainfully employed in the government or semi-government institutions brought some semblance of minimum support to the ruined families after a great struggle by the community. The last enhancement in the monthly relief was made effective in 2016-17. It is now almost a full decade that there is no enhancement in the quantum of the monthly relief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself made an announcement in this connection to raise the amount of relief to the displaced relief holders in the year 2024 during the election campaigning. But nothing of the sort has been done yet despite a lapse of more than a year. It is a consistent demand that has remained unfulfilled till date. Now the issue has been raised at the level of the MHA and all eyes are focussed on them in this regard.
There were a number of issues about streamlining the Adhoc Monthly Relief (AMR) to the registered relief holders in the Delhi state. The BJP government in Delhi took some important steps in this regard and after the cabinet approval, the file is in the MHA for approval. There was a struggle going on in this context in Delhi for the last almost two years. The AAP government didn’t take any decision on the issue during their tenure. It is hoped that the MHA gives its approval for streamlining the whole process on the pattern of the J&K government.
After a lot of struggle at the political and administrative levels, the bifurcated ration-card holders otherwise eligible for monthly relief who weren’t categorized in the relief category by the Relief department at Jammu for a long period (without a valid reason) are now eligible for the monthly relief. An order dated 8 December 2025 bearing no. 288 has been issued by the Relief Commissioner’s office in this connection. The Relief Commissioner’s office is expected to expedite the solutions now in the cases that come up for review. Delays in the solutions of pending issues many a time become part of the processes in the Relief department which the current dispensation in the nodal office is expected to do away with. The delays give a lot of trouble to the people concerned and they form a negative opinion about the situation besides adding further distress to the people involved.
There are various issues that have been covered under the Citizens Charter which specify the time period in which the processes should be completed. The Citizens Charter needs to be brought to the notice of the staff of the department in particular and it should also be displayed at prominent places within the office complexes of the department. An in-depth study, research and work-out formula was done in this connection some six years ago and it should be given a holistic response by all the concerned. The primary victims of terrorism in the state irrespective of their region need all possible attention and care by the authorities in the government and the administration.
Many elements within the ruling dispensations over the last more than three decades took some important decisions that brought considerable relief to the victims of genocide in and outside the Kashmir valley. However, indecisions at various levels caused/cause heavy anguish and agony besides the pain among the victims. Their hopes always keep them alive in context of their issues that they raise from time to time. In the field of education, employment and other key areas like medical assistance etc some positive decisions have surely been taken but they seem insufficient keeping in view the gravity of the problem. The suffering of camp dwellers especially in Jagti township, their basic needs and human-life facilities and security are always a cause of concern. Health issues, dependence on monthly relief assistance and conditions of quarters are also a cause of concern for everyone concerned with the issue.
Matters related to Ayushman Card, linkage of ration cards with the NFSA formalities and the facilities under various government welfare schemes need to be taken to the logical conclusion by the authorities concerned and particularly by the Relief department. The Revenue Ministry, DMRRR department and the Relief Commissioner’s office have done some remarkable work over these years particularly after the adoption of the minutes of the meeting presided over by the then Revenue Minister in the year 2017. The usual administrative rigmarole in context of the implementation and interpretation of the government orders is a very serious issue and these orders need to be executed without causing injury to the doctrine of ‘natural justice’. Burning issues pertaining to the PM’s Package employees (virtual captives) are surely disturbing.
In view of what has been said above, it is hoped that the concerned authorities in the government and the administration will arise and awaken and make the necessary amends wherever applicable as the displaced community of Kashmiri Pandits is commemorating its 37th Holocaust Day this year on coming 19th January.
