Kashmiri Pandits Observe ‘Exodus Day,’ Stage Silent Protest

19 January, New Delhi

A silent protest was staged here at Jantar Mantar today by various organisations of Kashmiri Hindus to mark 27th ‘Kashmir Pandit Exodus day.’Displaying placards, which read ‘ recognise genocide of Pandits’ and ‘ punish culprits of Kashmiri Pandit Exodus,’ the protesters demanded that the Centre ensure safe rehabilitation of their community.Donning traditional Kashmiri attire, pheran, the demonstrators vowed to “keep alive the struggle for homeland’ and accused the central and state governments of ignoring their cause.

”The Central government must act against separatists, who first evicted us and are now blocking our return to valley,” Aditya Kaul, a protester, said after having torched the effigy, a symbol of inaction of administration and separatists leaders.

Voicing ‘disappointment’ with the central government, Sushil Pandit, Co-Founder of Roots of Kashmir, described Article 370 a major roadblock in safe return of Pandits and said current regime must provide a sense of security to them so that they could return to their homeland.

”The BJP led central government itself selects some people and meet them to show as if something is happening on our issue. We are disappointed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi if I say mildly,” Pandit said.

The displaced community of Pandits observed January 19 as ‘Exodus Day’ across the country. On January 19, 1990, Kashmiri Pandits, fled the Kashmir valley leaving behind their ancestral homes after hundreds of them were killed by terrorists.The protest was organised by organisations including Roots in Kashmir, Panun Kashmir and All Parties Migrant Coordination Committee.