indica News Bureau-
The Kashmiri Pandits residing in the United States on Monday, Aug.5, rejoiced the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the constitution, saying that this is a dream come true and paves the way for their return to the homeland in the near future.
Welcoming the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir, leaders of the Kashmiri community in various statements described these as historic and momentous efforts that will enable the free flow and applicability of Indian constitution and all its laws into the region of Jammu & Kashmir without any special considerations.
California based Jeevan Zutshi, Chairman, Kashmir Task Force and founding member Indo-American Kashmir Forum welcoming the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs initiative told indica, “Not only the Kashmir problem has been solved but it also vindicates all Kashmiris of all faiths some of whom lost their lives due to turbulence and some, like Kashmiri Pandits, who had lost their roots completely.”
“Now is the time for healing as all Kashmiris come together as Indian nationals and work toward making Kashmir the valley of saints once again,” he added.
Another member of the Indo-American Kashmir Forum Vijay Sazawal said, “The move by the Indian Government will also improve the security situation with respect to cross border terrorism and bring peace, harmony and stability in Jammu-Kashmir, now a new Union Territory of India.”
“Kashmiri Hindus who have been displaced from the Kashmir Valley hail the decision to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir,” said Sanjay Kaul from Boston.
“It’s a historic day for India and true Indian anywhere. The boil that Nehru had created has finally been excised, and the “tryst with destiny” properly redeemed. A common citizen of Kashmir is happy and supports this decision. We hope this will help them return to their lost homes,” Kaul said.
In multiple statements, Kashmiri Pandit community members said Articles 370 and 35A were unwarranted in the first place and only impeded complete integration of the state within the union of India and thus these legislative amendments were long overdue.
Kashmiri Hindu community hoped that these constitutional amendments will enable them to get justice, reverse ethnic cleansing and reclaim their ancestral homeland from where they were driven out since the early 1990s. These moves by the Indian government will also improve the security situation with respect to cross-border terrorism and bring peace, harmony and stability in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.
“The only people to lose from this historic decision are those special interests and corrupt political, community, and religious leaders whose only aim has been to hold onto power over their constituencies. With these amendments, their hegemonic days will soon be over and all the political and economic benefits will actually reach to the masses,” said Lalit Koul from Boston.
“We hope that our displaced people will find a path to their homes soon. We hope that reservations for the minority will bring education, employment and the healthcare to the needy,” said Shakun Malik.
Sazawal said the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir valley is a disgraceful chapter in the history of free India, and it happened because all successive democratically elected Kashmiri Muslim politicians in Jammu and Kashmir took an umbrage under the Article 370 to resist any Central Government efforts to address the plight and suffering of Kashmiri Pandits and other minorities in the State and reverse their ethnic cleansing. “Pandits have been living as refugees in their own country for the last 30 years,” he rued.
