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But why the blood Money?



The below links will serve as background for our above comments. Early Times Report Jammu, Sep 4: The endorsement of return package by Apex committee to Government for Kashmiri migrants has given a serious jolt to Pannun Kashmir separate homeland demand for Pandits in valley. Out of 45 Apex committee members 41 were present in September 3 Apex committee which was held at Hotel Asia. Except Moti Koul of All India Kashmiri Samaj(AIKS), one or two members including H.L. Chatta of ASKPC all others fully endorsed the Government's proposal on return. The proposal as per the Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, Raman Bhalla will be submitted to centre for approval and grant of funds so that PM's return package will be given a practical shape. Though there is no unanimity among the cross sections of KPs on the return formula, various Pandit organizations have adopted wait and watch formula instead of over reacting to the move. However some KP leaders as well as all three factions have tooth and nail opposed the formula and termed it a sell out by the Govt. While making a dig at Apex committee members they term them as agents of Government who have played with the larger interests of community. The Panun Kashmir which stands for Homeland and Margdarshan resolution of 1991 in this regard has made it clear that Pandits can't return to Kashmir unless and until Homeland within valley is carried out for them. Accusing the Kashmiri Muslims of rejecting the co-existence and composite culture, the PK is of opinion that Pandits can't return to their homes and hearths under prevailing conditions to face another exodus later. "The PK stands for a separate homeland with union territory status where there is free flow of Indian Constitution and community will not budge an inch from this demand" said Ramesh Manwati a PK leader. He asked the community to be vigilant from vested inter-interests within who are playing with the cause of community. Kashmiri Panditconference(KPC) Chief Kundan Kashmiri who termed the Apex committee members as agents of Government said no decision can be thrusted on the community. He said "we had been forced to flee from valley and we will not compromise on our future". He said those who are siding with Government are traitors but they will be rejected by the people maintaining that they are with truth and will emerge victorious, Kashmiri said Pandav's were only five people but at last they defeated the Army of Koravs in Mahabharata. He however appreciated Dr. R.L. Bhat of VicharManch and Sanjay Saraf of Lokjanshakti Party who both are Apex Committee members for not attending the September 3 meeting and taking a principled stand. Deepak Raina

Kashmira Vahini launches awakening campaign against sellers of KP’s interests Close on the heels of a road map of a sell out of Kashmiri Pandit interests concerning the basic question of exodus and genocide by the government appointed members on the so called Apex Committee, in the form of giving” nod “ to each and every move of the state government for what they call return to the valley, KashmiraVahini, a frontal organization of the Kashmiri Pandit women, has embarked upon an awakening campaign among the community members to see through the tricks played on us which have far reaching connotations and perilous consequences. The community members are put on utmost caution to remain vigilant and increasingly conscious about the mechanizations of the State government to write off the very existence of this community the origin of which belongs to Kashmir for thousands of years. As a prelude to the campaign, a delegation of KashmiraVahini arranged a meeting today, ie; September 4, 2011 at Jagati tenements in which, in particular, a large number of women participated. Addressing the gathering Dr. Khema Kaul wondered how the members of the Apex Committee, having no representative character, or any mandate, participated in and attended the meeting called by the government and agreed in the” return to the valley” proposals put forth by the government . How can they call the shots very brazenly in matters concerning the most sensitive issue of the return and rehabilitation of the exiled community which lies only and only in the separate Homeland in the valley itself, to be administered by the central government in the shape of a Union territory, exhorted Dr. Kaul. The gathering responded whole heartedly by declaring that they were rejecting ab- initio, the offers and return plans put forth by the government and endorsed and accepted by the stooge Apex Committee and its agents. The acts of sell out indulged in by this Apex Committee by being a party to attaching draconian terms and conditions with the PM’s Employment Package by Omar Abdullah’s government was condemned and the treacherous endorsement and approval by this Apex committee of dubious return formulas was rejected, disowned and rubbished by the gathering at the meeting . The real face of the Apex members has been fairly exposed. The speakers stressed upon the need to give a united rebuff to the acts of sheer gadari done by the Apex Committee members who prostrated before Omar Abdullah by passing prologues and sonnets of praises and feeling of gratitude in the government sponsored and Apex pampered meeting. Why should not they , after all they are reported to be on the pay roll of His Master ? The delegation of the Vahini comprised besides Dr. KhemaJi, Smt. Sudesha Kaul, Smt. SarojniDhar, Smt.VijaySaproo, Smt.NirmalaTickoo and Smt. Dolly Ji. Jai karas of Homeland, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Ley karrahengeapnaHaq, Apex haihai, Gadarohosh main aao, reverberated the air of Jagati.

Idea of secular India With reference to the article, ‘The Journey Back Home’ (August 22) by Minhaz Merchant, the plea to end Kashmiri Pandits’ exile is welcome. However, ignored for two decades post their persecution in the Valley, the community is witnessing a sudden outpouring of sympathy and espousals of its return home. Is the coinciding of this with the interlocutors’ anticipated recommendations – speculated to take Kashmir further beyond Article 370 – an attempt to secularise an out-of-thebox Kashmir solution? Kashmiri Pandits aren’t passive victims to be targeted by extremists as symbols of Indian presence in Kashmir only to now be used to camouflage surrender to those who regard Kashmir as Partition’s unfinished agenda. Their rights can be guaranteed only by creating a Union Territory in Kashmir for those across faiths who believe in the idea of a secular India. LA Recommended Reading: Homeland After Eighteen Years (A 48 hour travelogue in Kashmir) by Dr. K.L. Chowdhury KPSS Statement After going through news papers we the valley based pandits are disheartened and dejected from the apex committee members that they have not put strongly the cause of ours in this meeting it was and is AIKS who are advocating our cause before the govts time to time since 2001 when Mr M K Kaw was the president of AIKS and after that MrMoti Koul is carrying the voices of left over community. SECRETARY, KPSS Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Maintaining that Hindu Shrines and temples are the living civilization symbols of KPs, All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) has urged the Government to pass the Kashmiri Hindus and Shrines Bill. The demand was made by president of the SamajMoti Koul while talking to reporters here today. He said the demand was also made in the Apex Committee meeting yesterday and it was urged to Government to pass the Bill in ensuing Assembly session. He said the KPs being the religious minority should be politically empowered without which the survival of the community was not possible. He while hinting at reports that interlocutors have recommended pre 1953 status to J&K State and such a recommendation will be disastrous for both the State and the country as a whole. There is no issue other than addressing the legitimate aspirations of the exiled community. He warned that appeasement policy can't be tolerated at all as KPs will not allow J&K to loose its knot with India, which is absolute and final. Koul who was flanked by DrUshaTickoo convener AIKS Women Wing and Aryan Ramesh, organizing secretary, AIKS, Jammu said that in yesterday's meeting he strongly advocated for recruitment of all the remaining posts under PM's package, age relaxation so that the over-aged community youth could be given employment, providing all basic facilities at Jagati township, benefits of package also to be given to Kashmiri Pandits living in Valley besides announcement of financial ]support to them and redressal of problems of recently appointed KP youth in Valley. He said that by giving employment to few KP youth the Government can't create the impression that return process has started. AIKS stands for setting up of Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge to bring to the world the conditions and the circumstances that led to tragic exodus, he added. RR Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC). Press Release Dated 04-09-2011. Packages & Concessions In No Way Help Govt. In Return Of KP'S To Valley While highlighting the opinion of majority of KP community about decision taken in Apex committee including unanimous nod given to the prime minister’s package by enhancing its amount form rupees seven lacs to twenty lacs and other concessions, Kundan Kashmiri National President KPC, in its party meeting at New Delhi, Stated that proposed enhancement of PM’s packages and other concession will in no way help to mobilize all displaced KP’s for return to their homes & hearths as return policy of Government of India for displaced KP’s has already been rejected by community in General and its organization in particular. He demanded that whatsoever the package granted by the prime Minister to be given to all displaced KP at present location for their temporary rehabilitation and development and at the same time modalities to be formulated for purpose-full return of KP’s at consolidated place in Kashmir valley having rite and Control of Indian constitution. He further said that consolidated rehabilitation at the land of Kashyap is only solution of the KP’s Problem. He further said that KP’s return is not an ordinary issue, as it is return of ethnically cleansed minority, it is return of indigenous people to their birth land, it is return of religious minority which has been persecuted by the majority community and it is return of an exiled community abandoned by democratically elected governments. He further said that return of KP’s under present circumstances is not possible as Kashmir is under debate through various channels of which KP’s are kept away and unaware. He said some option seems to be actively considered by the government mainly autonomy/ pre-53 position to the state of J&K, which is totally unacceptable to our community. He said that political demands like Autonomy, self-rule or Azadi of NC,PDP and Hurriyat are also main Hurdles for will full return of KP’s to Kashmir valley as these demands are neither suitable not acceptable to us. KPC Chief suggested to the government selected Apex committee members not to become party to Govt. in manipulating KP’s return to the valley at their previous locations and appealed whole KP Biradari not to get lured or fall in their trap. Press secy. KPC All Parties Migrants Co-ordination Committee (APMCC) Shanti Complex, near Post Office, Main Road, Roop Nagar, Jammu. Press Release Justice Trivedi flags off Ganga Charri on Annual Harmukt Ganga (Ganbal) Yatra 2011 NaranNaag (Kangan-Kashmir), September 04: The All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) today organized 3rd Annual Harmukt Ganga (Gangbal) Yatra 2011, for which the Holy Ganga Charri was flagged off from Historic NaranNaag by Honble Mr. Justice D.K. Trivedi, Chairman, Higher Cast Commission, Bihar The Yatra which is an annual affair was started by APMCC in 2009 after 100 years to protect and preserve the rich cultural and religious heritage of Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir Valley. The yatra falling for the first time on Ganga Ashtami, started from Jammu on Sept 3 while the final on foot yara commenced today Sept 4 at 7:30 am from the base camp at NaranNaag in Kashmir while the return journey to NaraanNaag would begin on Sept 7. Speaking on the occasion Honble Justice DK Trivedi while appreciating the efforts of APMCC for preserving the religious cultural heritage exhorted Kashmiri Hindus to work for preserving their rich cultural heritage in Kashmir Valley. Giving details of the programme VinodPandit Chairman APMCC said that the yatra would explore the possibility of using the traditional route of Chittar next year so that devotees can pay obeisance at SukhNaag and DukhNaag on the way to Harmukt Ganga. He thanked the whole hearted supported of Commander Sector 3, Manasbal, Brig AK Sharma and 24 RR officiating Commanding Officer MajBhanuSatyal for their support for the last three years to conduct the Historic yatra smoothly. He said that after the yatra reaches Gangbal the Vedic Mahaygya would start on Sept 05 at 6am and culminate on Sept 5 at 10 am where large number of devotees participated on Puranahuti. Deliberating about the Gangbalyatra he said that Gangbalyatra has a long history and immense religious value for Kashmiri Hindus as this place is holier than the holy Ganga for Kashmiri Pandits from times immemorial. He said that in ancient times Kashmiri Pandits would organize yatras on this treacherous route to immerse the ashes of their departed souls as this lake was considered as the holiest one adding after immersion of the ashes a unique kind of insects like thing would appear in the lake and consume the ashes which was the uniqueness of this holly lake. He said that Kashmiri Hindus of yore would consider visiting this place as a holy opportunity due to the religious value and treacherous route in those times. He said the route was same even after hundreds of years as this shrine falls in far off mountains of the Himalayans in North East Harmukt Mountain Range. Vinod said this yatra assumes significance due to the fact that the yatra falls exactly on Ganga Ashtami which is directly linked with this holy adding the yatra has been swelling by the day adding next year more yatries are expected to join the yatra. Prominent among those who attended the flag off ceremony include Brig AK Sharma, Commander Sector 3, Manasbal, DIG Yoginder Koul, DY Commissioner GandherbalShoukatHussain, SSP GandherbalShahidMehraj,AddlDy Commissioner, Gandherbal, Director Forests Dr OP Sharma IFS, Senior Journalist and social activist King C Bharati, Vijay Kumar Koul, senior Citizen and veteran Social activist, RavinderPanditaSecy APMCC and other dignitaries besides ladies and children who were also part of the yatra this year. Charri Pujan was conducted by Pt Rattan Lal Sharma. Issued By: General Secretary AIKS Explained AIKS has been debating the issue of eventual return of KPs to the valley. Several conferences have been held and the consensus of the community can be summarized as under: KPs will return when they find the conditions to be conducive and not otherwise. KPs would like to return to a multi-cultural society as in the rest of India. If Hindus and Muslims can coexist in the whole of India, why not in Kashmir? The slogan of Panun Kashmir was just a slogan to counter the Muslim slogan of Azadi. Today, every Muslim knows that Azadi is a chimera. Hindus also know that you cannot, under the Indian Constitution, create a Union territory where people professing just one faith can live. Much water has flowed down the Vitasta since the Margdarshan resolution. AIKS filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court. As a result, Government of India was forced to announce a package for KPs. Although it is not the best deal we could get, it is a step forward. Already 5000 jobs have been promised to the KPs, 1800 have been offered and 1300 persons have joined their duties. The Supreme Court is about to announce some fresh concessions in favour of KPs. Muslim organizations have invited the KPs back and said loud and clear that Kashmir is incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandits. Pakistan has been fully exposed . The discovery of Bin Laden in Pakistan has come s a great shock to the US. The credibility of Pakistan is at an all time low.Kashmiri Muslims have lost any enthusiasm they might have had for Pakistan. The arrest of Fai has exposed the ISI. The action of the US against Fai shows the changing equation between US and Pakistan. The interlocutors, who are supposed to submit a report suggesting pre-1953 status, have been already exposed as friends of Fai. The BJP or other opposition parties will never accept any such recommendation. There is a tremendousf difference between AIKS and PK. AIKS is a global federation of all KP organizations in the world.All its affiliates are elected in a democratic manner. On the other hand, the three factions of PK are self-created bodies announced by some individuals. There have been no elections in the PK. I think that a time has come when all mature voices in the community should call a spade a spade and strengthen the hands of the AIKS and its affiliates.We must support all good initiatives of the Governments, both Central and State. We should not be afraid that PK and its sympathisers will dub us as anti-community and agents of the Government. The future of humanity lies in democracy , inter-faith amity and multiculturalism. Any body of individuals propagating extremism, fundamentalism, conversion, jihad and violence is bound to lose and fade out. Enough of confusion and darkness. Let us walk together towards the Light! MK Questions to AIKS Explained It helps the community in building a consensus when thoughts and opinions are so meticulously explained. Even divergent points of view expressed after thought and research are helpful because they help to cover more bases and check off more boxes in the process of decision making. That is why the best of teams have a "devil's advocate" or a "negative tester". We all know that many times choices are to be made even when there are pros and cons for each of the options. Following further on the path of decision making, the actual decision is important but what is equally important is what one makes of the decision in terms of actions as well as how that decision is explained to those who are as much a party. A few questions emerge from your email:-- 1. If we are accepting jobs inside Kashmir today and some money to build homes in Kashmir today as the solution, are we saying that the conditions are conducive for our return to Kashmir today? 2. Is there a difference in how Hindus and Muslims live together in Hindu majority areas/ countries vs in Muslim majority areas/ countries? Consider also the influence of Pan Islamic forces in Kashmir today. 3. Does Panun Kashmir not say that there will be "free flow" of the Indian Constitution in Panun Kashmir? So is that not going to make Panun Kashmir more secular India like vs the autonomous Islamic religion dominated and secured like that - Kashmir? 4. You seem to believe that the interlocutors are going to propose Autonomy for Kashmir? If we do not agree to that and you believe that the BJP will also not agree to that, should we be part of the game plan which has put the interlocutors in place or should we go against that game plan? Is the promise of some jobs and money to build homes in a suffocating, insecure environment a good enough bargain to deal with those who are acting against our real wishes? 5. I have not had an opportunity to vote directly or indirectly (through the Kashmiri Hindu organizations of which I am a part) on the deliberations of the apex Committee. I have only been informed by the Daily Excelsior. Now, I am willing to blindly follow a leader/ group of leaders who are devoted to the community cause because they already thought through all these questions I have asked and came to the only/ best possible decision, which at least provides succor to a few of the most needy. Please do confirm that indeed all these questions have been fully and honestly answered in the deliberations of the Apex Committee, that there is no other way, this is the only time for our final decision and we need to live with it for times to come. Warm regards AK

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