[Reader-list] SANKALP YATRA : From the site of Global Human Rights Defence

[Pawan Durani]

*GHRD
Global Human Rights Defence
The Hague


Jammu and Kashmir: Sankalp Yatra pilgrimige to raise awareness to the
Kashmir issue*

 *The Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM) is organising a 7,000 kilometre
pilgrimage, the Sankalp Yatra, to continue the struggle for Kashmir to
become the homeland of the Kashmir Pandits. The two-month journey is to
start in November, according to a PKM's official, visiting 41 places in nine
states and two union territories of India. * Among the important sites are
the Pandit refugee camps in Jammu and Kashmir, where large-scale supporters
are due to join the journey.

The Yatra also expects to visit the birth and work places of four prominent
Indian political figures in history: Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Dr.
K.B. Hedgewar and Lokmanya Tilak; and will also meet with several
politicians and leaders of India. Religious sites will also be visited to
bless the pilgrimage.

Another goal of the pilgrimage is to raise awareness to the human rights
violations and displacement of the Pandits in the area, at the same time as
it seeks the affiliation with the younger generations to educate them about
the values that may ensure the establishment of the Pandit Kashmir. Material
support such as books, folders, and photographs are planned to be taken
along the trip for the dissemination of the Pandit Kashmir cause.

PKM leader, Ashwani Kumar Churangoo, is said to have stated that the Yatra
focus not only on the Kashmir issue and terrorism, exodus and displacement
of Kashmiri Pandits, but as well on other minorities of Kashmir, their
present status, and the human rights situation of minorities in the Jammu
and Kashmir state. He reportedly encouraged the Kashmir Sikh Displaced Forum
to join the event.

The Pandit leadership is hoping that the Sankalp Yatra will trigger
solidarity among the people of the Pandit Kashmir and the Indian people.
They are expecting to gather more political support from the Indian
government for a viable solution in the establishment of the homeland of the
Pandit community in Kashmir.


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