Extolling the governance and security provided by Kashmiri Hindu king Lalitaditya to his citizens, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said displaced Kashmiri Pandits will return to the Valley soon based “on their conditions” and under guarantees of security.
“We have been hearing they [Kashmiri Pandits] will be returning next year. They had to leave Kashmir for the eighth time for the same fundamentalism. This time they will return [to Kashmir] on their conditions. They will return as Hindus and Bharat bhakts, with appropriate security and livelihood. If anyone would think of planning or repeating their migration, he will have to face dire consequences,” Mr. Bhagwat, who addressed the Navreh function organised for Kashmiri Pandits by the Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra, said.
Mr. Bhagwat said Kashmiri Pandits will be in their homes “very soon now”. “This is not a prediction but a statement based on my calculation. There’s not much time left for this sankalp (resolve) now. We have to continue our efforts for this and ensure we don’t dither at the last moment,” he added.
He called upon Kashmiri Pandits to display patience and not to repeat the history of “Kashyap Rishi’s wife Vinata”. “The lord provided Vinata with two eggs for bright and intelligent sons but she lacked patience and extracted one son from the egg in just six years. The son born was bright but lame. She paid a cost for her impatience,” he said.
Mr. Bhagwat said that when Kashmiri Pandits return this time “they should never face the threat of getting uprooted again”.
“They will mix up with others there, settle and live together. Work is on to create a conducive atmosphere so that they are never displaced again. Such conditions need to be created. We are making efforts and working on a mindset. It may take time but we will reap the fruits. The entire India is behind the efforts to settle displaced Kashmiri Pandits,” he said.
Referring to the 8th century Kashmiri king Lalitaditya, Mr. Bhagwat said, “Lalitaditya fought wars far off places in Tibet and Pamirs to ensure citizens are safe and secure.”
He said India was witnessing people’s awakening on Pandits’ migration. “People feel the pain and show sympathy. We shouldn’t accept defeat and [we should] face challenges,” he added.
On The Kashmir Files movie, he said it showcased the unfortunate reality of the tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits. “It has shocked all of us,” Mr. Bhagwat said.
The RSS chief earlier visited Jammu & Kashmir for four days in 2021 and took feedback from the organisation’s cadres on the evolving Kashmir situation. That was his first visit since the Centre ended J&K’s special status position in 2019.
