We Fear For the 400 Kashmiri Pandit Families in South Kashmir: Sanjay Tickoo / Humanitarian Appeal for the Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar valley
On the evening of the first day of the All
Party Delegation to Kashmir a forty minute conversation with Sanjay
Tikoo of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti has been sobering.
Living in Srinagar, a vocal and sane voice for the minority pandits whose
number has shrunk to less than 4,000 in the valley, here is what Sanjay Tikoo
had to say.
“Nothing. I expect nothing to come out of this visit or this delegation. For two long months, the anger in the youth has been allowed to simmer. Somewhere it all began on July 8 when Burhan’s body and funeral were so badly mishandled. The agencies knew, the media knew, and the government knew what the social media depicted--that he had become a poster boy an icon for the youth; they had his photo and videos on their moboile phones! Now if you know he is a poster boy at the age of 20 – how can the establishment, agencies and the think tanks not know this? How do you deal with the funeral and mass presence? Either you do not allow it, use an iron hand or leave it and let it happen; you do not deal with it the way it was dealt with.
We have had this problem for 26 years now, it is not new. This afternoon news of the under construction district collectorate building was burnt down in Shopian, came in. I spoke to our people there, the pandits: what was the rationale behind the attack? Built with Indian tax payers money, Hindustan ka nishaam nahin rahega; ham mita denge: that was the message. What the media is not showing -- neither Indian nor Kashmiri -- what the government is not admitting is this: South Kashmir is a liberated zone today; the writ of the security forces does not run there. Pakistan has not lost a single soldier and the way India is handling things we are handing over South Kashmir on a platter. Even today on all or most buildings in South Kashmir it is the Pakistani flag that flies aloft buildings: are we blind, do we not want to see it?
We are very worried, as minorities. I am especially worried about the 400 Kashmiri Pandit families in South Kashmir; they are vulnerable today as the mind of the mob rules. In the midst of the night anything can happen; our people live under threat. The irresponsibility of sections of the Indian media is shocking. Times Now etc will be responsible for starting a war on Kashmir..Srinagar is okay, north Kashmir is okay…but South Kashmir is gone.
The slide and rot started when even the previous government lost two windows and golden opportunities. NDA II under Modi was seen to be disastrous, is disastrous. But Chidambaram’s role was not much better. We lost 144 youth in 2010; historic opportunities to recover lost ground were lost in both 2008 and then in 2010.
The scary part today in 2016 is that the so-called movement for Azaadi is under no one’s control. Each village has its own leader; its own mobiliser and organizer. No one is following a calendar of protests. None of the separatist leaders have any followers or say. They did earlier in 2008 and 2010. The youth is not listening to their own parents, how do you expect them to listen to Mehboobaji, Modi or Geelani? India is living in a fool’s paradise today, in 2016. Already we have news that Geelani has turned down Sitaram Yechury’s invitation to talk, so what can we expect from this visit?
South Kashmir is lost to us, to the security forces: districts of Shopian, Phulwama, Anantnag. The way the mob mentality works, the Kashmiri Pandit families are in real danger. Does India understand that for the last 60 days the national highways cannot be operated? What are the state and central government doing? Fifteen to twenty days back a bus was stopped at night on the highway and a mob asked if non-Muslims were on it. There is palpable fear even as ISIS videos are being widely circulated and a new kind of mentality holds sway.
There are strong rumours that October 25, the day of the Darbar Move – when the government shifts from the Valley to Jammu — will be used to test the authority of the government. Will the highways be open and free to run? Hundreds of vehicles, cavalcades go through every year. What if they are not allowed to pass? I don’t expect any respite for two months until winter sets in; I hope there are no repercussions or blood spills before that because these will impact India too.
It was the historic opportunity between 2004-2008 when the separatist sentiment had died down that India lost it’s big chance. Today even the National Conference and the bureaucracy that does not want Mehboobaji, a woman to be successful, are playing a cynical role. All in all, we remain worried in Srinagar. Not expecting much at all from the All Party delegation visit.
Background:
Sanjay Tikoo, president of Kashmiri Pandit Sangaresh Smiti, a valley-based group of Pandits who preferred to stay back in Kashmir when the insurgency broke out in early nineties, told Firstpost in 2015 that instead of creating a separate township the Centre should build smart cities which will help in the larger process of reconciliation between the people of the two communities. “I want Habba Kadal back where there used to be 60:40 population of Hindus and Muslims respectively, not separate ghettos. Where the azaan and the temple bells would ring out at the same time. At least Pandits who lived in villages still own their properties but in cities, there is congestion and these smart cities could provide space to people belonging to all religions,” Tikoo said.
"Those who stayed back for these 25 years are already living in a composite culture and sharing their life with their Muslim brethren, but building confidence among those who migrated and convince them to return is an uphill task. We don’t want another Palestine here,” he said.
Other References
Kashmiri Pandits: Why we never fled Kashmir
“Nothing. I expect nothing to come out of this visit or this delegation. For two long months, the anger in the youth has been allowed to simmer. Somewhere it all began on July 8 when Burhan’s body and funeral were so badly mishandled. The agencies knew, the media knew, and the government knew what the social media depicted--that he had become a poster boy an icon for the youth; they had his photo and videos on their moboile phones! Now if you know he is a poster boy at the age of 20 – how can the establishment, agencies and the think tanks not know this? How do you deal with the funeral and mass presence? Either you do not allow it, use an iron hand or leave it and let it happen; you do not deal with it the way it was dealt with.
We have had this problem for 26 years now, it is not new. This afternoon news of the under construction district collectorate building was burnt down in Shopian, came in. I spoke to our people there, the pandits: what was the rationale behind the attack? Built with Indian tax payers money, Hindustan ka nishaam nahin rahega; ham mita denge: that was the message. What the media is not showing -- neither Indian nor Kashmiri -- what the government is not admitting is this: South Kashmir is a liberated zone today; the writ of the security forces does not run there. Pakistan has not lost a single soldier and the way India is handling things we are handing over South Kashmir on a platter. Even today on all or most buildings in South Kashmir it is the Pakistani flag that flies aloft buildings: are we blind, do we not want to see it?
We are very worried, as minorities. I am especially worried about the 400 Kashmiri Pandit families in South Kashmir; they are vulnerable today as the mind of the mob rules. In the midst of the night anything can happen; our people live under threat. The irresponsibility of sections of the Indian media is shocking. Times Now etc will be responsible for starting a war on Kashmir..Srinagar is okay, north Kashmir is okay…but South Kashmir is gone.
The slide and rot started when even the previous government lost two windows and golden opportunities. NDA II under Modi was seen to be disastrous, is disastrous. But Chidambaram’s role was not much better. We lost 144 youth in 2010; historic opportunities to recover lost ground were lost in both 2008 and then in 2010.
The scary part today in 2016 is that the so-called movement for Azaadi is under no one’s control. Each village has its own leader; its own mobiliser and organizer. No one is following a calendar of protests. None of the separatist leaders have any followers or say. They did earlier in 2008 and 2010. The youth is not listening to their own parents, how do you expect them to listen to Mehboobaji, Modi or Geelani? India is living in a fool’s paradise today, in 2016. Already we have news that Geelani has turned down Sitaram Yechury’s invitation to talk, so what can we expect from this visit?
South Kashmir is lost to us, to the security forces: districts of Shopian, Phulwama, Anantnag. The way the mob mentality works, the Kashmiri Pandit families are in real danger. Does India understand that for the last 60 days the national highways cannot be operated? What are the state and central government doing? Fifteen to twenty days back a bus was stopped at night on the highway and a mob asked if non-Muslims were on it. There is palpable fear even as ISIS videos are being widely circulated and a new kind of mentality holds sway.
There are strong rumours that October 25, the day of the Darbar Move – when the government shifts from the Valley to Jammu — will be used to test the authority of the government. Will the highways be open and free to run? Hundreds of vehicles, cavalcades go through every year. What if they are not allowed to pass? I don’t expect any respite for two months until winter sets in; I hope there are no repercussions or blood spills before that because these will impact India too.
It was the historic opportunity between 2004-2008 when the separatist sentiment had died down that India lost it’s big chance. Today even the National Conference and the bureaucracy that does not want Mehboobaji, a woman to be successful, are playing a cynical role. All in all, we remain worried in Srinagar. Not expecting much at all from the All Party delegation visit.
Background:
Sanjay Tikoo, president of Kashmiri Pandit Sangaresh Smiti, a valley-based group of Pandits who preferred to stay back in Kashmir when the insurgency broke out in early nineties, told Firstpost in 2015 that instead of creating a separate township the Centre should build smart cities which will help in the larger process of reconciliation between the people of the two communities. “I want Habba Kadal back where there used to be 60:40 population of Hindus and Muslims respectively, not separate ghettos. Where the azaan and the temple bells would ring out at the same time. At least Pandits who lived in villages still own their properties but in cities, there is congestion and these smart cities could provide space to people belonging to all religions,” Tikoo said.
"Those who stayed back for these 25 years are already living in a composite culture and sharing their life with their Muslim brethren, but building confidence among those who migrated and convince them to return is an uphill task. We don’t want another Palestine here,” he said.
Other References
Kashmiri Pandits: Why we never fled Kashmir
Humanitarian Appeal for the Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar valley
October 7,
2016
Dear Citizen of
India & The World,
As you may know,
a few Kashmiri Pandits have, over 27 years of conflict in Kashmir
(Valley), taken a brave and principled stand to stay, preserving home, culture
and hearth. The Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) represents them lead by
Mr Sanjay Tickoo, it’s dynamic President. (Please see details in
articles below).
The escalation of
conflict in recentmonths this year, has left the Pandits particularly
vulnerable. 808 Pandit families still live in the valley, according to KPSS of
which 125 are facing a deep economic crisis today. Subsistence depends upon
private sector employment. With offices shut and salaries not paid,
starvation looms. Besides, sufferers of chronic ailments need help with medical
expenses.
Yesterday, I had a
call from Mr Sanjay Tickoo. In his quiet and dignified way he explained the
dire circumstances I urged he detail the requirement. Basically it is food and
medicines. He has suggested transfer of donations into his personal bank: he
promises full details of the disbursement. Since the amounts are modest but
urgently needed, I urge that we do not delay.
MUMBAI alone can claim
the humanitarian credit for responding. And quickly.
I request that you
kindly copy Citizens for Justice & Peace on any communication you may have
with Mr Sanjay Tickoo of the KPSS so that we can monitor how this appeal has
been received.
Immediate need
Financial assistance,
for monthly minimal rations, for at least 35 Kashmiri Pandit
families living in Kashmir Valley @ Rs.5000/- per family per month. Please
consider initially supporting for at least 4 months since winters in the Valley
are fierce.
Rs. 5,000 X 35
families= 1,75,000
1,75,000 X 4 months =
Rs 7,00,000 (Seven Lakhs)
Financial assistance,
for monthly medical expenses, for at least 52 patients living in
Kashmir Valley @ Rs.3000/- per patient per month. Again, please
consider initially supporting at least for 4 months through winter.
Rs.3,000 X 52 patients
= Rs. 1,56,000
Rs. 1,56,000 X 4
months = 6,24,000 (Rs Six lakhs, Twenty-four thousand)
Contact Details:
Sanjay K. Tickoo,
President, Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS)
Mobile: 09906564741
Email: sanjay
tickoo <kpss.kashmir@gmail.com>
Bank Account Details:
Sanjay Kumar Tickoo
State Bank of India
Branch Srinagar
Residency Road
SB A/C No
33807621676
IFSC Code:
SBIN0000722
The Kashmiri Pandit
Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home
Minister Rajnath Singh for the urgent implementation of rehabilitation package
tabled before Parliament in 2009 and 2014. Attached is a copy of this communication.
We would be extremely
grateful and obliged if you respond compassionately to this appeal.
Sincerely,
Teesta Setalvad
Secretary &
Trustee
Attached:
Appeal to the Prime
Minister and Home Minister, date October 3, 2016
References:
In Dire Need of
Rehab Package, Appeal Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley
We Fear For the 400
Kashmiri Pandit Families in South Kashmir: Sanjay Tikoo
See also
Samar Halarnkar demands justice for the victims of Pathribal'
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M) MLA, J&K: ‘Serious dialogue need of the hour’
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M) MLA, J&K: ‘Serious dialogue need of the hour’
