J-K elections: Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora welcomes BJP's manifesto

New Delhi: The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) has welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

It has also urged that the rehabilitation, resettlement, recourse and restitution of Kashmiri Pandits need to be grounded in Constitutional frameworks validated by Parliament with Judicial closure.

In a letter addressed to BJP President JP Nadda, GKPD stated, "On behalf of the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora community, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for the commitments laid out in your 2024 Jammu & Kashmir election manifesto."

It has hailed the promises like the inclusion of rehabilitation initiatives such as the Tika Lal Taploo Visthapit Samaj Punarvas Yojana, the promise of temple restoration under the Rishi Kashyapa Pilgrimage Rejuvenation Drive, the provision of two reserved seats for Kashmiri Pandits in the state assembly through the delimitation process.

It has also appreciated the BJP's commitment to the continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, which is supported by certain local elements have been positively received by our community.

"These steps reflect your acknowledgement of the unique struggles and aspirations of the Kashmiri Pandit community that is facing near extinction. We would encourage your party to advise the Lieutenant Governor to go ahead and implement these recommendations right away which will have an electric impact on the upcoming elections," it stated.

The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora also urged its community to vote for political parties which proactively take up their cause. It, however, also said that steps outlined in BJP's manifesto are commendable but fall "considerably short of community expectations."

The GKPD further proposed that the initiatives related to Pandits be grounded in a framework that draws upon the Indian Constitution, is validated by Parliament and has judicial closure. "The Constitution offers many RESETTLEMENT options, such as Union Territory, the Fifth Schedule, the Sixth Schedule, Autonomous Development Councils, and Special Administrative Regions, to name a few. This is the only safeguard against the recurrence of horrors we have endured," it stated.

The GKPD also asserted the need to address the "grave injustices" of the past and emphasised on the private member's bill recognising the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits, that has been tabled in Parliament. "It would provide formal acknowledgement of the atrocities we've suffered, aligning with India's commitments under international law, including the Genocide Convention, which India has ratified," it added.

(ANI)