Pandit Amar Nath Vaishnavi: A True Karmayogi, Remembered for His Unwavering Integrity

By Rajinder Koul ‘Premi’

Some are born with God-given extraordinary abilities, creative acumen, and talent, who by virtue of such sublime qualities give the world new direction. These people look and behave as ordinary citizens, but their intellect and sensibilities make them towering figures, carving out a niche for themselves, making an everlasting impact, and leaving behind a great legacy. Lalla Ji, as we called him out of our love and respect, was one such legendary soul.

Shri Amar Nath Vaishnavi was born in August 1925. As a child, during his school days, he developed a social and political commitment which grew with the passing years. He possessed the innate qualities of a pure Hindu heart and remained a devout Hindu throughout his life.

Late Lalla Ji was interested in community affairs from his infancy. As a conscious Kashmiri Pandit, he became an unchallenged leader of the Kashmiri Pandits and became the President of the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC). He was not only popular within his own community but was also respected by the majority Muslim community in Kashmir, as well as by the Dogras of Jammu and the Ladakhis.

Vaishnavi Ji was appointed as a teacher in the State Education Department and was posted outside the Valley for most of his service career.

Post migration, Pt. Vaishnavi Ji was an inspiration for the younger generation. He took control of the displaced affairs of the exiled community in Jammu and worked closely with the KP Sabha Jammu. This resulted in the setting up of tented accommodation, relief organizations, and the adjustment of displaced people in schools or other government buildings. He cherished the dream of continuing the publication of the daily ‘Martand’, a voice of the KPs of Kashmir.

Late Vaishnavi Ji’s unwavering integrity and his love for his community cannot be forgotten by the exiled community. His untiring services to humanity will always be remembered by all, as he devoted his entire life to the human cause, for which he remained a lifelong activist.

Since I joined the arena of social service after we landed in Delhi in May 1990, after being forced to flee from our homeland, Kashmir, in the backdrop of the martyrdom of my illustrious father and beloved younger brother, I became the first Kashmiri migrant to be associated with the Kashmiri Samiti Delhi. I was appointed as chief coordinator in 1991 and subsequently became the secretary of KSD in 1992, when it was headed by Shri Chaman Lal Gadoo as President. During these two years of my stay in KSD, we were coordinating with our Jammu biradari through Shri Vaishnavi Ji only.

My contact and rapport with Shri Lalla Ji developed more frequently and became thicker when the BJP constituted a Kashmiri cell in the Delhi State Unit at 14, Pandit Pant Marg, under the chairmanship of Sh. C L Gadoo, and I was made the founding General Secretary of “J&K Sangam”. This was when Late Kidar Nath Sahni was the President of the Delhi Pradesh BJP.

Late A N Vaishnavi would come to attend our meetings, seminars, and symposia directly from Jammu and would discuss all matters of migrant relief, rehabilitation, and welfare measures.

After three years of our stay in JK Sangam, I was advised by Sh. J N Kaul (Papa Ji) who came calling at my Lodhi-Road residence on a hot humid morning in August. He desired me to assist him in the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), of which he had recently been elected President. He said, “We have watched you during your stay in KSD and recently in JK Sangam, and I have been personally impressed with your untiring services for the exiled community.”

I vividly remember AIKS, under J N Kaul, visiting migrant camps in Jammu, Nagrota, Udhampur, and Batal Bali for the first time. There was a close interaction with Mr. Vaishnavi. I started understanding more about this leader.

Late Vaishnavi Ji was part of the delegation of Kashmiri Pandits who were invited by the Standing Committee of the Parliament Ministry of Home Affairs to hear about our hardships, difficulties, and problems faced by the exiled community outside their homeland. The delegation was led by Sh. M K Kaw, President, AIKS. A joint community representation was made by Late Kaw himself, which was unanimously prepared by all of us earlier. Shri Vaishnavi was very happy with our conduct and approach during the whole exercise.

When the Standing Committee prepared its report and submitted it to the Government of India, I took a copy of its recommendations to Jammu for Late Vaishnavi Ji. On seeing this copy, he was impressed by my concern and respect for him.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was hearing us during the petition of genocide during the years 1993-1999. During some hearings, Mr. Vaishnavi was also present on my request. He was impressed by my documentation work and arguments, after which he came to my Lodhi Road residence to give me a pat for all this.

It was only during one of the hearings at the NHRC when we were asked, as petitioners, to nominate one Kashmiri Pandit for the apex committee for displaced people, to be constituted for the welfare of the exiled community by the commission. Shri Vaishnavi Ji was the unanimous choice, although the NHRC wanted a KP petitioner for this job. As a petitioner, I had been requesting the NHRC to include a KP in the redressal mechanism, which the NHRC had agreed to upon my continuous persuasion for the formation of an apex committee at the J&K State Government level.

Besides this, Late Vaishnavi Ji participated in most of the regional conclaves and meetings of the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) held in Jammu in 1992-93, Chandigarh in 1996, Delhi in 2000, 2001, 2003, and Faridabad in 1997 and 1999. He also participated in the Bengaluru conclave in December 2004 and in Calcutta in 2006.

Shri Vaishnavi has inspired the younger generation with the qualities of his head and heart. I pay my humble tributes to this great man, who has left an indelible impression on all of us with his honesty and dedication to the community’s welfare.