Jammu (India), September 15, Kashmiri Pandit’s Orginastionn, Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM) organised a Symposium ‘Jammu Uprising & The Road Ahead’ on Monday at Jammu(India). A large number of prominent citizens and intellectuals of Jammu attended the programme.
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo the President of PKM, in his presidential address gave a vivid account of the processes, which the road ahead needs to focus upon. He said that the PKM has a clear vision so far as our duties are concerned. The Kashmiri Pandits have since rejected the Muslim majoritarian system of politics and will not subjugate themselves to the servitude of communal and fundamentalist designs in the Jammu and Kashmir State.
He said, the demand of Homeland represents the core aspirations of the community and the nationalist forces of the state and is a guarantee to reestablish the indigenous people of the Kashmir valley with a promise of living a full life in Kashmir.
In the days to come, the struggle shall intensify and in this context we declare that the 2nd phase of the KASHMIR SANKALP YATRA shall commence in the month of October this year, said Ashwani. He said, It shall now visit the areas of two states of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. He appeals to the people to come forward to join this Yatra to espouse the issues of our concern and be a part of the process of making a new history.
Dr. Om Prakash Mengi, Veteran leader of Praja Parishad movement was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Dr. Mengi in his acceptance speech lauded the role of the people who fought the recent Jammu struggle with dedication and commitment. He specially acknowledged the role of Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo for his services before and during the uprising and said that new standards of service and articulation have been created. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the national mission, which the PKM was pursuing and appreciated the role played by PKM and its overseas friends led by Ashwani Kumar.
On this occasion, the President of PKM felicitated Dr. Mengi on his role in the Jammu agitation and presented him a Saropa and the document-book KASHMIR DOCUMENTATION: Pandits in Exile.
Prof. M.L.Raina in his keynote address emphasized the need for unity in the rank and file of nationalist forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the victory in the Jammu agitation has given all of us a purpose to lead our generations to a life of dignity and honour. Half the battle has been won while destination is yet far ahead. He appealed for a unified agenda and action.
Arun Kumar in his address maintained that the sense of victory has a big meaning for the generations to come. He placed an analytical presentation about the agitation and the road ahead before the people. The central idea now should be to remain involved in the struggle to uphold the national point of view at all costs and at all available foras.
O.P. Sharma said that the intellectuals of both the communities, the Kashmiri Pandits and the Dogras, have a bounden duty to awaken the thinking minds and not stop till we achieve the final destination. There has to be no compromise on the rights that are due to us. The agitation has brought the two nationalist communities of Jammu and Kashmir very closer and we need to strengthen this bond of unity and brotherhood in future to fight unitedly.