Where are the Promised Jobs, Ask Protesting Kashmiri Pandits

Jammu: Nearly 250 Kashmiri Pandits marching under the banner of “Lal Chowk Chalo” were detained by Tikri police in Udhampur district on  October 21. They were protesting against the Narendra Modi government’s failure to fulfill their demands, including jobs promised by the BJP government. The protesters were met with lathi-charge which resulted in several injuries.

The march, organised by Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS), demanded jobs for youth under the much-hyped Prime Minister’s employment package. The package was announced in 2008 for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants wherein they were promised jobs and transit accomodation in the valley.

“We were initially stopped at Udhampur where we were met with lathi-charge and were later detained. We were really trying to cooperate with the security forces but a massive force was deployed at Udhampur and they didn’t allow us to proceed further. Instead, we were beaten up and detained,” said RK Bhat, president of YAIKS.

Of late, Kashmiri Pandits feel betrayed by the government which, they say, has adopted tactics to delay their rehabilitation in the valley.

“The government had come up with a proposal of 6,000 jobs for the displaced youth but they have not been able to implement the scheme. We had high hopes from the Modi government but even they have failed to fulfill our demands,” said Bhat.

The rally, named “Lal Chowk Chalo”, was a seven-day-long protest through the Valley from Muthi Camp, Jammu, via Jagti Camp of Kashmiri Migrants, Jajjer Kotli before they were detained at Udhampur. 

Some of the protesters said the Modi government had made a “joke” of their community's plight. “We were forced to organise this protest because the government has failed to provide us with job security, but what we got in return was lathi-charge,” said Sunita Koul, who said she had injuries on both of arms in the lathi-charge.

“We had high hopes from the Modi government. We thought that Modi government will improve the condition of Pandits but we were betrayed and lied to. We never expected this treatment from Centre. We have gathered over 2,000 youth who are willing to work in Kashmir but their is no job opportunity under the package. The few Pandits who are working in Kashmir are not provided with proper facilities in the valley,” added Koul.

Bhat termed the rehabilitation package as a “total failure”. “It is a pity that helpless Kashmiri Pandits are leading an exiled life for the last 29 years and the Government, which owes responsibility for the same, is unmoved at our plight,"  the local Daily Excelsior quoted Bhat as saying.

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandits have condemned the ‘ruthless’ police action. “They are treating us like Kashmiris in the valley for just raising a demand. We have not pelted a stone yet,” said an agitated youth on the condition of anonymity.