CJP demands justice for non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits Sign our petition to support campaign by KPSS for inclusion of the community in government schemes
13, Aug 2020 | CJP Team
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has launched a new campaign to demand justice for non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit families in association with our partner organisation Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS).
We have launched an online petition urging the people of India to come together to appeal to the Central Government and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to walk the talk on alleviating suffering of these families.
Sign the Petition!
CJP stands with the KPSS in seeking an immediate redressal of all grievances, jobs for 600 non-migrant KP youth in the Valley, a monthly cash relief package for the most needy families, and preservation of cultural and religious sites in the Valley. Join CJP in this campaign as we stand with the Kashmiri Pandit community in Jammu and Kashmir. To help us advocate for their safety and rights, please donate generously here.
It is well known the militants and religious extremists led to a forced exodus of over 1,50,000 Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in 1990. What isn’t well known though is how 808 Kashmiri Pandit families are still living in 242 locations in the valley. Of these, 150 families live Below Poverty Line (BPL) struggling to put food on the table every day. Today they are a minority Hindu community in the region.
While successive governments have paid lip service to the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, and even announced various employment schemes and economic packages for the community, non-migrant families have been left out of these programs. What’s worse, the security cover provided to these families was also withdrawn in 2018.
KPSS has highlighted this in multiple representations to different central, state and now Union Territory (UT) authorities, but their memoranda and pleas appear to have fallen on deaf ears. On August 12, KPSS sent its final communication addressing various authorities including the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Lt Governor. The letter may be viewed here:
KPSS president Sanjay Tickoo has resolved to go on a fast-unto-death if the government does not respond to this memorandum within 10 days. You too can support this campaign to ensure that India honours its commitment to Kashmiriyat and the Indian Constitution by protecting and preserving diversity and secularism.
Sign the Petition!
Watch CJP secretary Teesta Setalvad in an exclusive interview with KPSS president Sanjay Tickoo here:
Related:
Here’s why non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits feel betrayed
