Jammu, Dec 27: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday expressed deep concern over the gradual erosion of the cultural and linguistic identity of the Kashmiri Pandit community, stressing that sustained efforts are essential to safeguard its legacy. He said Kashmir’s composite culture remains incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandits, whose civilisational contribution is integral to the Valley’s identity.
The Minister said the Modi government has pursued a firm and consistent policy against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir over the past eleven years, leading to a marked decline in terror-related incidents, stone-pelting and targeted killings. This, he said, reflects strong political resolve and a decisive shift from earlier approaches that lacked the will to confront terrorism effectively.
Dr Jitendra Singh was speaking at a programme held here to mark the death anniversary of Pandit Prem Nath Bhat, a prominent lawyer and journalist who was killed by terrorists on December 27, 1989. Paying tribute, the Minister said Pandit Bhat’s sacrifice symbolises the immense suffering endured by the Kashmiri Pandit community due to terrorism and targeted violence.
He said terrorism inflicted profound human suffering and severely damaged Kashmir’s social harmony. For years, he noted, the human rights of terror victims—particularly Kashmiri Pandits—were ignored due to selective and inconsistent interpretations of terrorism, compounding the injustice faced by those forced to abandon their homes and ancestral roots.
Highlighting the resilience of the community, Dr Jitendra Singh said Kashmiri Pandits have shown an extraordinary ability to endure decades of displacement and adversity. He underlined that Pandits have been an inseparable part of the Valley’s civilisational fabric, contributing significantly to education, literature, administration and social values, thereby providing a stabilising and rational influence on society.
Reiterating his concern over the dilution of cultural and linguistic traditions, the Minister emphasised that protecting the Kashmiri Pandit ethos is crucial for sustaining Kashmir’s plural and composite culture.
Dr Jitendra Singh assured that the government remains sincere and fully committed to resolving the long-pending issues of the Kashmiri Pandit community. He said he would personally ensure that these demands are pursued and addressed to the maximum possible extent. He also suggested that the community prepare a structured account of demands already fulfilled and clearly identify pending issues, which could then be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further consideration.
He added that the government’s approach extends beyond rehabilitation, focusing equally on preserving the cultural and social fabric of the Valley and ensuring that the contributions of the Kashmiri Pandit community are recognised and carried forward for future generations. (KINS)
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