New Delhi/Jammu,August 26 (Scoop News) -All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) convened a largely attended meeting of all Kashmiri Pandit (KP) organizations at India International Centre, New Delhi.The meeting was presided over by AIKS President Moti Kaul.
The meeting was attended by most of the KP organizations of Delhi-NCR predominant being Panun Kashmir, KPUF, IDKPYF, RIKS, KMWA – Noida, Kashur Sumchar, KP Sabha Bahadurgarh, JKVM, KKS – Gurgaon, KSS – Faridabad, AIKS Trust, National Peace Movement, Kashmir Welfare Society – Vaishali, and Koshur Samuth. The meeting was also attended and addressed by several leading opinion makers namely S/ Ashok Bhan, H. N. Nehru, Capt. S. K. Tikoo, Ajay Bharti, Sanjay Saraf, Rakesh Handoo, Ramesh Manvati, Prof. C. L. Sapru, Dr. Raj Kachroo, Utpal Kaul, A. N. Kaul Sahib, Sunil Shakdher, King C. Bharti, Ashish Zuthsi, Jatinder Kaw, Subodh Mukoo, Sanjay Wali and Ms. Sheen Handoo, a young social activist.
Moti Kaul, while welcoming the participants, apprised them of the need to hold this all party meet in the light of the crisis – like situation now prevailing in Kashmir . He said that the meeting had been convened to discuss the impact of autonomy to the J&K State . It was necessitated in the light of PM’s offer to consider autonomy for J&K in his all J&K party meet in Delhi on 10th August, 2010. Since the State is already enjoying the maximum autonomy with safeguards like article 370 within the Indian Constitution, the thought of giving more autonomy to the State is a step to take Kashmir away from the constitutional structure of India . It was under the present constitutional dispensation that Kashmiri Pandits became victims of terrorist violence and any further concessions in the constitutional relationship between India and the State will reduce the scope, visibility and relevance of the minorities living there, he said. This view was shared by most of the participants.
The members present responded by saying that the recent turmoil in the Valley was an offshoot of a well organized Pakistani constituency there, which has been creating mayhem all these past three months. The authors of separatism seem to be taking advantage of the fluid situation and have gradually spread their reach and influence to all the conceivable areas of the State and the society. Expressing grave concern over the ongoing turmoil in the Valley, synonymous with violence, stone pelting and loaded with anti-national sentiment, they urged the Government of India to be firm in its dealings with such elements in consonance with the spirit of the joint Parliamentary Resolution of 1994, which conveyed the resolute will of the nation.
Capt. S. K. Tikoo was of the opinion that the terrorism had become a big industry and that vested interests were keeping the militancy alive. Ashok Bhan was of the view that the statement made by Prime Minister of India on 15th August that Kashmir is an integral part of India should re-assure the people that no instrument of Govt. of India is discussing this issue of autonomy. A. N. Kaul Sahib pointed out a contradiction in the PM’s statement that J&K was an integral State of India and at the same time the Centre was open to consider autonomy for the State subject to a consensus emerging. The other speakers also said that the grant of more autonomy to the State would be a wrong step and Kashmiri Pandits need to respond unitedly to this challenge and save Kashmir for the country.
It was suggested that the best response would be to observe 14th September, throughout India to send a message of the resolve of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. They requested AIKS to take a lead in this matter.
While concluding, Moti Kaul thanked the delegates and all the organizations for their useful contribution and assured them that the decisions taken in today’s meeting would be communicated to all the affiliates of AIKS both within India and abroad with a request to act on the decisions taken in the meeting.