“Talks with Government, Not Hurriyat”: Kundan Kashmiri on Return and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits

jj correspondent
Delhi, Feb 17: Recent statements and video clips suggesting that the return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits should involve talks with figures like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other separatist leaders have sparked controversy. Kundan Kashmiri, President of the Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC), strongly condemned such claims, calling them misleading and disrespectful to the community’s decades-long struggle and sacrifices.
Kundan Kashmiri emphasized that any discussions on the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits must take place only with the Government of India, not with Hurriyat or separatists. He reminded that the responsibility of ensuring their safe and dignified return lies with the Indian state, which has the constitutional duty to do so-not those who were directly or indirectly responsible for the community’s forced exodus.
“The Hurriyat and other separatist factions have never acknowledged the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits. Instead, they propagated an agenda justifying our migration, indirectly endorsing terrorism and anti-India sentiments,” Kundan Kashmiri stated. He further argued that engaging with such forces would only legitimize those who destroyed the cultural fabric of Kashmir and shattered the trust of its minorities. Separatist leaders like Mirwaiz do not represent the interests of Kashmiri Pandits and hold no authority to negotiate on their rehabilitation.
Kundan Kashmiri stressed that before any discussion of return, the Government of India must commit to delivering justice for the atrocities committed against Kashmiri Pandits. The wounds of the 1990 genocide remain fresh, and justice has not been served. He added, “Until perpetrators are held accountable, any talks with separatists who protected these criminals would be a betrayal.”
He also rejected the idea of “inclusive rehabilitation,” which expects Kashmiri Pandits to reintegrate into the existing demographic structure without security guarantees. The displaced community has unanimously opposed this notion, insisting that rehabilitation must ensure safety, political empowerment, and economic viability in consolidated settlements.
“The demand for a dignified return is not charity but a fundamental right,” Kashmiri stated. “The Government of India has the constitutional responsibility to ensure justice, security, and a rightful place for Kashmiri Pandits.” He further noted that any engagement with separatists or Hurriyat-backed voices in the community would dilute the issue.
The rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, according to Kashmiri, must be led by the Government of India, with full security, political representation, and justice guaranteed. He also questioned the ability of separatists to engage in the rehabilitation process, pointing out that they lack the financial and moral authority to assist the community. “The government must take decisive action to rehabilitate displaced Kashmiri Pandits and ensure their safety,” Kashmiri concluded. “The return of Kashmiri Pandits is not just a community issue but a test of India’s commitment to justice, secularism, and national integrity.” The community, he reaffirmed, will never accept talks with Hurriyat or separatists and will not compromise on its rightful demands for justice, security, and dignity. The road to rehabilitation runs through New Delhi, not through the corridors of separatist politics in Srinagar.