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(Translated from Urdu)
Para 1: Some days ago, the Indian website Rediff.com published a column, written by a Kashmiri Pandit, Mr. Lalit Koul, titled "Daddy, why can't we return to Kashmir". The writer, in a sentimental reply to this question by his six year old daughter, has described the story of Kashmiri Pandits from 1990 exodus, to the present day. (Note: word used is Naqal-e-Makani, which could translate into Exodus or Migration from home). Mr. Koul has blamed the Pandit exodus on Muslim biradari, and shed tears on the miserable conditions of Pandits in their life away home (Watan). Mr. Koul has quoted UN Resolution of 10 Dec 1948, "Universal Declaration of Human Rights", and appealed to world to take note of the conditions of Pandits.
Para 2: Kashmiri Hindus are commonly known as Pandits. At the time of 1990 exodus, 350,000 Pandits lived in Kashmir, together with Muslims under pleasant circumstances (Khushgwar Mahole). Since 1947, there was no Indian state, where Hindu-Muslim riots did not occur. But there was no retaliation by Kashmiri Muslims against Pandits. Muslim & Pandit Biradiri shared sorrowful and joyful events together. To blame the break in such biradari on Muslims, is one sided, and needs to be judged on the basis of Kashmir history. Are these not the truths that India has maintained unfair occupation (Najayez Kabza) on Kashmir; that UN Resolutions have declared Kashmir a disputed region; that Kashmiri people have suffered Indian atrocities (Bharati Jarihat) since 1947; that Kashmiri people have raised their voices, one way or other, against Indian occupation? Was Pandit Biradari unaware of all this? Did Pandit Biradari not know that at the time of partition, it was decided that Muslim majority regions (Alaqas) would be part of Pakistan? Did they not know that Hindus migrated from Pakistan to India of their own will, and some Hindus stayed in Pakistan of their own will? The same was true of Muslims in India. Did Pandit biradari not realize this historical fact that, movement against Indian occupation would strengthen day by day? Was there a curtain on their eyes that they ignored all these facts & conditions? Actually, a curtain was deliberately put on their eyes- curtain of Greed, High Posts, and Unlimited Benefits (Be-panah Marawat). India needed to strengthen its occupation of Kashmir, and they (Pandits) played an important role in that. In fact India used their brains for that. It was a Pandit brain that set the policy (Khaka) of India's premier intelligence agency, RAW, whose conspiracy resulted in 1971 break-up of Pakistan. Also, recruitment of Pandits to various Indian intelligence agencies is known to every one, because of which India could further harden their hold on Kashmir. This way, Pandits rendered their services to India on an important front, and played a vital role in making India succeed in its intentions.
Para 3: After 40 years of unsuccessful, peaceful struggle, when Kashmiri people resorted to armed struggle, Kashmiri Pandits got frightened because of their own guilty conscience (Chor ki dhadi mein tin-ka). The Governor of Kashmir at that time, Jag Mohan, prepared a plan for crushing the Kashmiri Muslims, and told the Pandits to leave Kashmir. Jag Mohan spread a rumor that "in the next 24 hours, Pandits have to choose to get killed by armed Kashmiri Muslims, or to save their lives by leaving their homes & going across the tunnel". On this warning, based on rumor, Pandits decided to leave their homes; and within one night, left in buses arranged by Jag Mohan government. Did Pandit Biradiri have no realization of what would happen to the Kashmiri Muslims after they left Kashmir? Thus, their leaving their home was a historical mistake, a criminal act (mujrimana fail), their own decision, and for this they should now make amends (aiteraf). For Pandits to blame Muslims for their exodus now, is meaningless. Even if, for a moment, Pandit biradari's claim that they were forced to leave their homes because of Islamic Militants, is considered, it carries no weight. That is because armed struggle effected not only Pandit biradari, but other people also, and that too beyond limits. Were not Jamati Islami workers and sympathizers subjected to campaign of murder & torture (katale-garat) in late 1994, with the result that they became homeless in their own land, and hundreds got slaughtered? This also proves that, in fact, flight of Pandits was a plan of Indian government. If the government wanted, with their 700,000 troops present, they could afford safety to Pandits. The situation of Pandit biradiri was not that serious, as 700,000 troops were on their side, whereas all this army and entire government machinery was against Jamati Islami. They (Jamati Islami) boldly faced the forces against them, and temporarily left their houses, but did not leave their land. Later it was proved, that with passage of time, situation became favorable for them.
Para 4: Pandit biradari should think as Kashmiris rather than as Indians; if they want to return, they should keep Kashmir's history in view, and respect the opinion of the majority. If they prefer to side with Indian interests, they have to make their decisions.
Para 5: Now Mufti government has made plans for rehabilitation of Pandits. In the first phase, 500 flats will be built in Mattan in southern Kashmir; 150 Pandit families will be housed there, and provided various incentives and full security. If this phase succeeds, Pandit rehabilitation plans will be extended to other areas. This means that the puppet (kath-putli) Chief Minister Mufti Sayed wants to, on one hand enhance his political image within Pandits, and on the other hand, turn Pandits into sacrificial goats (kurbani ka bakra) to check the extent of normalcy. In this connection, a film "Sheen" (Snow) about Kashmiri Pandits is under production, and is to be released soon. In Kashmiri there is a saying - Wanda Chali, Sheen Gali, Beyi yi Bahar (winter will be over, snow will melt, & there will be spring). Purpose of "Sheen" is to persuade Pandits to return to the Valley. The main character of the film is a Pandit girl, played by a Muslim girl from Lucknow, named Sumren Zahida. It is notable that no Pandit girl was ready to act in this role. Perhaps that is because Pandit biradari has retained the values of decency and honor (sharam-wa-haya), that is in keeping with the Kashmiri tradition. Lucknow Muslims have expressed sadness and anger against Sumren for accepting this role. Her own relatives are aghast at her working in the film. According to Sumren, her relatives say "if a girl goes into films, it means she is destroyed". In view of the opposition, Sumren has said she will not work in films any more, and "Sheen" will be her first & last film. In other words "Sheen" is a flop before its release. It remains to be seen, what will be the fate of the Purpose for which this film was made. Question arises if the Pandits should give credence to the screen images of the film, or give a serious thought (gor) to the image of their future, in the light of "mirror of history".
Your decision is in your hands,
Pandit ji. (Faisla tera, teray hathoon me hai, Pandit ji).
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