Jammu:
The existence of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir Valley is in danger. Here the population of non-resident Kashmiri Pandits continues to decline. If this remains so, then the day is not far when there will be no Kashmiri Pandit left in Kashmir Valley. According to a survey, in the year 2021, the number of families of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir Valley was 808. At the same time, by 2024 only 728 families have survived in Kashmir Valley.
Now why the migration of Kashmiri Pandits happening from the valley?
The recent survey conducted by the organization ‘Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti’, which represent the non-resident Kashmiri Pandit, has highlighted the current socio-economic challenges. In this survey, economic difficulties, lack of employment opportunities, safety concerns and growing age of youth, the main reason for decrease in the population of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. The migration of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in 1990 affected the number of community, but the current decline is due to today’s challenges.
Target killing big problem in the valley …
According to the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, the migration of 80 families between 2021 and 2024 has been mainly due to target killing in the valley. Target killing is a serious problem in the Kashmir Valley which has increased in the last few years. These murders often target citizens, especially minorities and outsiders. Many village sarpanches have also been targeted.
Central government has given plans for rehabilitation and development of Kashmiri Pandits
- Prime Minister Vikas Package: Under this package, 6,000 jobs have been prepared for Kashmiri Pandits. According to the official data of August 2024, 5724 Kashmiri migrants have been appointed.
- Right to Property Safety: Jammu and Kashmir protects the property of Kashmiri Pandits under the migrant real estate (protection, security and crisis sale) Act, 1997. The government launched an online portal in August 2021 to report migrant encroachments and sales in crisis.
- The Government of India is providing cash relief to about 18,250 Kashmiri migrant families living in Jammu, including free monthly ration, Rs 6600 per family, per month.
- Displaced from Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri families living in various cities of the state are provided a maximum of Rs 5000 per family financial assistance at the rate of Rs 1000 per month.
Bureaucracy is also heavy
According to the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, despite the support of the majority Muslim community, Kashmiri Pandits are facing many types of difficulties in getting government benefits. Their decades -old efforts to get employment and rehabilitation benefits under SRO 425 are delayed due to bureaucracy obstacles. One of the most pressure issues facing the community is the increasing number of unmarried Kashmiri Pandit youth. Recently, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke of restoration of confidence to encourage the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir, while Kashmiri Pandits say that the return of Kashmiri Pandits without concrete government action is unlikely to return.
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