Grand Herath Milan Celebrates Culture, Calls for Kashmiri Pandit Rehabilitation

Jammu, February 16, 2026: A grand Herath Milan was organized today at the Vintage Court in Durga Nagar, Jammu, bringing together a large gathering of displaced Kashmiri migrants along with notable socio-political activists, intellectuals, and academicians from the community. The event, a vibrant celebration of the holy festival of Maha Shivratri, also served as a poignant platform to highlight the long-standing issues faced by the community in exile. The Chief Guest for the occasion was , former Minister and President of the Jammu Kashmir Apni Party, who was joined by senior party leaders including Ghulam Hassan Mir, Senior Vice President; Shri Vijay Bakaya, General Secretary; Sardar Manjeet Singh, Provincial President Jammu; and Abdul Majid Paddar, a senior leader and former Minister, all of whom graced the event with their benign participation.
The function, meticulously organized by senior Kashmiri Pandit and Apni Party leader Shri M.K. Yogi, who serves as the Incharge for Shangus Constituency East Anantnag, began on a deeply spiritual note. Oshvi Sadhu commenced the Herath Milan with a soulful rendition of the Sarswati Vandna, followed by Rudhra Abhishek and Geeta Sholak. The traditional rituals were beautifully performed by Smt. Urmila Kanth and her team, who used Isband for purification, and a Deep Parjwalan ceremony was also carried out by the Chief Guest and other senior leaders present on the stage, illuminating the hall with a sense of hope and devotion.
In his welcome address, Shri Vijay Bakaya, former Chief Secretary and General Secretary of the Apni Party, extended warm greetings to all community members on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivratri Festival and the Herath Milan. Shri Bakaya eloquently explained the deep cultural and religious importance of this holy festival. He also took the opportunity to appeal to the Government of India for the formulation of a tangible and time-bound rehabilitation policy that would ensure the early resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits back in the valley with full honor and dignity.
The Chief Guest, Shri Sayeed Altaf Bukhari, in his address, warmly greeted the displaced community on Herath Parv. He delivered a heartfelt speech, stating that “Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits” and that the people of Kashmir wholeheartedly miss their Pandit brethren. He strongly urged both the Government of India and the Union Territory Government to take concrete and tangible steps to address the genuine problems the community faces in exile, with a primary focus on the formation of a concrete rehabilitation policy for their honorable settlement back in the valley. A special felicitation ceremony was also held, during which the Chief Guest and other dignitaries honored Padma Shree Shri Brij Lal Bhat, and State Awardees Shri Vivek Suri and Shri Krishan Langoo for their outstanding contributions.
In his vote of thanks, organizer Shri M.K. Yogi said that the Kashmir displaced community has suffered immensely during its more than thirty-seven years in exile. He urged the senior leadership of his party to take up the burning issues of the displaced community at the highest concerned forums for their immediate addressal. He concluded by stating that events like the Herath Milan are crucial as they cement communal harmony, brotherhood, and amity within society, and proudly exhibit the composite culture that is the ancient heritage of Kashmir. The program was expertly hosted by Shri P.K. Raina.

The Herath Milan was a significant gathering of the community’s intellectual and socio-political fabric, with many prominent figures in attendance, including Professor Ashok Aima, Padamshree K.N. Pandita, Professor B.L. Zutshi, Shri Vinod Pandita, Shri Abhay Bakaya, Advocate Vinod Wali, Retd. Judge B.L. Saraf, Smt. Sharda Nandan, Shri Mohan Lal Comrade, Professor G.L. Koul, Shri Kuldeep Kashmiri, Shri M.K. Malla, Shri B.N. Sadhu, Shri Ashok Sathu, Shri Ravi Jogi, Shri Rohit Bhat, Shri T.K. Dhar, Shri Rakesh Koul, Shri Sanjay Ganjoo, Shri P.L. Thusoo, Dr. T.K. Bhat, Shri Ashwani Bhat, Shri Babloo Gosani, Shri Kuldeep Raina, Shri Shuban Dhar, Smt. Daisy Bhat, Smt. Urmila Kanth, Shri Sanjay Raina, Smt. Anuradha Pandita, Shri Ravi Kachroo, Shri Satish Kandru, Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Shri Kamal Ganjoo, Smt. Kusum Tickoo, Shri Sunderi Lal Koul, Shri M.K. Bangroo, Shri Muktesh Yogi, Shri Ashutosh Pandit, Dr. Rohit Koul, Shri Vaibhav Mattoo, Shri Naveen Gosani, Advocate C.L. Bhat, Shri Raj Kalam, and singer Shri Rajesh Kher along with his team members.