Kashmiri Pandit Leaders Demand Amnesty, Action on Pressing Community Issues

Jammu, February 09, 2026: A mammoth meeting of prominent Kashmiri displaced migrants, including socio-political activists, philanthropists, and intellectuals from both camp and non-camp areas of Jammu, was held today at the Press Club. The gathering was organized to discuss and deliberate upon the most crucial issues and problems that have plagued the community during its over three decades of forced exile, with a strong focus on the contentious NAFSA form, a comprehensive amnesty for migrants, and other long-standing pertinent issues. The significant meet was organized by senior community leader Shri M.K. Yogi, while Shri Vinod Pandita, a notable social activist, presided over the session.

Shri Vinod Pandita, in his address, highlighted a spectrum of critical problems, including the unresolved issues of return and rehabilitation, the urgent need for a special recruitment drive for unemployed youth in various government departments, and the strict implementation of the Migrant Immovable Property Act of 1997 in letter and spirit. He also called for a fast-track disposal system for migrant grievances at the office of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner in Jammu. Shri Pandita expressed grave concern and profound disappointment over the complete lack of any allocated assistance for the Kashmiri displaced migrants in the current Jammu and Kashmir budget, appealing to both the Union Territory and the Central Government to address the genuine problems of the community forthwith.

Shri M.K. Yogi, the organizer of the large-scale meeting, delved in-depth into the plight of the displaced community. He strongly advocated for a one-time general amnesty for migrants, a complete relaxation from the NAFSA form requirement, and immediate attention to the deteriorating living conditions in migrant camps, including the provision of pure drinking water and the urgent repair and renovation of quarters that are currently in a dilapidated state. A key proposal put forth by Shri Yogi was the formation of an Apex Committee of Kashmiri Pandits. He envisioned this committee to be comprised of genuine socio-political activists from both camps and non-camps, as well as the heads of various socio-political organizations, to serve as a unified and representative body for the community.

Shri M.L. Malla, who also graced the meeting, provided a detailed overview of the community’s pertinent problems and urged both the Union Territory and Central Governments to personally intervene and address the core issues faced in exile. He too voiced his deep disappointment regarding the current budget, noting that nothing had been allocated for the seven lakh uprooted Kashmiri Pandits. Adding to the discourse, philanthropist Shri M.K. Bangroo and Professor B.L. Zutshi addressed the assembly, appealing to all community activists and leaders to work more concertedly and unitedly, rising above their respective party and political affiliations to ensure that their collective problems are addressed at the earliest.

Another notable social activist, Shri Kuldeep Kashmiri, highlighted crucial issues such as the NAFSA form and pending bifurcation cases, urging the concerned department to streamline its working for the swift disposal of migrant grievances. He also lent his strong support to the formation of an Apex Committee. The meeting saw a host of other prominent members speaking on the occasion, including Shri Mohan Lal Comrade, Shri Nazir Ahmed, Shri Sunil Bhat, Shri Harmohinder Singh, Shri Ravinder Kumar Bakshi, Dr. Romesh Bhat, Dr. T.K. Bhat, Shri P.K. Raina, Shri Raju Sehgal, Shri Nana Ji Wattal, Shri Sunderi Lal Koul, Shri Ravinder Koul, Shri Ashok Kumar Dhar, Shri Abhay Bakaya, Shri Anu Ji Koul, Shri J.L. Pandita, Shri M.K. Koul, Shri Navin Bushan Handoo, and Shri Rakesh Koul, among others.

Towards the end of the meeting, several key resolutions were passed with a unanimous voice. These included the demand for a concrete return and rehabilitation policy, a significant enhancement of the monthly relief, the creation of ten thousand new posts for educated unemployed displaced youth, and the doling out of the remaining compensation for damaged and gutted properties. The attendees unanimously adopted a resolution to work more concertedly on all the issues discussed. The vote of thanks was presented by Shri Abhay Bakaya, a young Kashmiri Pandit leader, with the proceedings and resolutions publicized by Shri Shuban Ji Raina, the Publicity Secretary.