Rajinder Premi Urges J&K Administration to Commemorate Father’s Birth Centenary

Srinagar, August 7, 2024: Prominent social activist Rajinder Premi, the eldest son of slain freedom fighter and renowned scholar Sarwanand Kaul Premi, met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar yesterday evening. During the meeting, Premi highlighted the family’s efforts to honour his father’s legacy during his birth centenary year, 2024.

Premi brought to the LG’s attention various initiatives taken by the family, including the publication of several of his father’s works. He expressed gratitude for the small commemorations undertaken by the UT and Union governments, including naming a school in Soafshali, Kokernag after his father, installing commemorative panels in Delhi Metro stations, issuing a special postal cover, and including his name in the National Heroes list as an unsung hero of the Freedom Struggle.

However, Premi urged the LG to take further steps to commemorate his father’s birth centenary. He requested that the LG recommend to the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, and other relevant authorities the recognition of his father’s significant contributions.

Premi also briefed the LG on the progress of the long-pending case regarding the family’s rightful compensation and relief, as recommended by the erstwhile State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in 2012. He noted that the J&K High Court, in its order dated May 2, 2024, disposed of the writ petition filed by the UT Government, deeming it infructuous in light of the NHRC’s final order of April 18, 2024.

He informed the LG that a committee had been constituted by the UT Government on May 22, 2024, to examine the SHRC recommendations in conjunction with the NHRC order. This committee has held two meetings thus far, and Premi expressed hope for swift resolution and action on the long-pending case.

Premi extended thanks to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home Department), Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, and DIG Srinagar for their personal interest and intervention in the case.

During the meeting, Premi also discussed the ongoing plight of the Kashmiri Pandit community, emphasizing the need for the government to engage with the displaced community for their delayed rehabilitation back in their homeland. He also raised the issue of job security for the Prime Minister’s Package (PMP) employees and their families, urging the extension of SRO 43 benefits to this category of UT employees in light of recent sudden deaths.

The Lieutenant Governor listened attentively to Premi’s submission and assured him of support and appropriate action at all levels to see the cases reach a logical conclusion. He acknowledged his personal involvement in the matter.

This meeting serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community, both in terms of seeking justice for past injustices and ensuring a secure future for those displaced from their homeland. It also highlights the importance of recognizing and honouring the contributions of figures like Sarwanand Kaul Premi, who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and dedicated his life to social welfare.