New Delhi, Feb 01: A delegation of Kashmiri Pandits, representing the JK Peace Forum, met with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at Hotel JW Marriott, New Delhi, in a pivotal discussion aimed at fostering greater cooperation and healing between the communities of Kashmir.
The meeting, which lasted about one and a half hours, represents a crucial step towards addressing historical grievances and working towards a peaceful and inclusive future for Jammu and Kashmir.
During his opening remarks, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasized the shared suffering of both Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits over the decades.
He acknowledged the painful exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989-90, a chapter that continues to affect both communities. Mirwaiz reaffirmed that the plight of Kashmiri Pandits is a humanitarian issue and must be addressed with care and urgency. Mirwaiz said Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits.
"The suffering of Kashmiri Pandits needs to be addressed earnestly, and this has been a point I have raised repeatedly in my discourses,” Mirwaiz added.
He said the younger generation must be made aware of Kashmir’s composite culture.
In response, the Kashmiri Pandit delegation expressed the deep hardships they’ve faced as a community they were hounded out for none of their faults.
“We suffered in scorching heat, snake bites, selling all their earnings, properties to educate their children,” the delegation said.
The Pandit delegation highlighted that despite being forced out of their homeland, they have always extended support to their Muslim brothers and sisters in times of distress, and vice versa.
They emphasized that religious leaders, particularly Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, hold the moral authority to lead this initiative given their influence across the region.
Furthermore, the delegation reminded Mirwaiz that as the spiritual leader of Kashmir, he represents not just the Muslim community, but also all minorities, and that his leadership is crucial in restoring the region’s peace and harmony.
The meeting culminated in a historic agreement to form an Inter-Community Committee under the leadership of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
This committee will represent all communities of Kashmir, with a focus on:
Facilitating the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland
Addressing the concerns of other minority communities
Promoting economic development, trade, and employment generation
Preserving Kashmir’s unique cultural heritage
Encouraging cooperation among the region’s young professionals
Additionally, the committee will explore initiatives such as government support for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, including the creation of inclusive designated colonies to aid their reintegration into society.
The Kashmiri Pandit delegation strongly encouraged Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to lead this initiative as a confidence-building measure, and he committed to taking proactive steps towards this goal.
It was agreed that this collaborative effort will serve as a pathway to healing, unity, and a more prosperous future for Jammu and Kashmir. (ANB)
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