[Reader-list] Kashmiri Pandits seek Obama help to return to homeland

[Aalok Aima]

personally i have strong disagreements with some of the platforms we kps use to highlight the concerns of the community
 
i like this statement issued by american-kps in the usa 
 
it does not demonise an entire religious community in kashmir but refers simply to "the armed insurgency two decades back"
 
personally i would have preferred a more specific reference to the 'hounding out of and forcing kps to flee kashmir because of the targetted killings and the creation of an environment of fear by the extremism and terrorism of religious fundamentalists backed by armed insurgents from pakistan'
 
the statement does well to highlight what is of  critical importance to kps "Kashmiri Pandit culture is at the verge of extinction and can prosper only in its native land of Kashmir Valley" 
 
.......... aalok aima
 
 
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/14061201.htm
 
 
Kashmiri Pandits seek Obama help to return to homeland 
 
Want US Prez to discuss issue of protection of fundamental rights 
 
WASHINGTON: Kashmiri Pandits in the US have appealed to the President, Mr Barack Obama, to take up their cause and the need to protect their fundamental rights in the Valley during his meetings with top Indian leadership. 
  
Preservation and protection of fundamental rights of economic, social, religious and political freedom in their homeland Kashmir alone will guarantee the preservation of Kashmiri Pandit culture and community, the Indo-American Kashmiri Forum said in a st atement here. 
  
It also welcomed and supported Senator Sherrod Brown’s contention that Kashmiri Pandit culture is at the verge of extinction and can prosper only in its native land of Kashmir Valley. 
  
Mr Brown had recently raised the issue of Kashmiri Pandits with Mr Obama, who is arriving in India today on a three-day visit. 
  
The forum agrees with Senator Brown’s position that “it is imperative that the minority community of Kashmiri Pandits be included in any regional dialogue concerning the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. 
  
“IAKF wishes to remind the Government of India and President Obama that the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced to flee from Kashmir during the armed insurgency two decades back, remains unchanged with no economic, religious, social and political rights in their native land of Kashmir,” the statement said. 
  
“It is an unfortunate fact that there has been no concerted effort by the Central Government in New Delhi to develop a specific policy regarding the return of Kashmiri Pandits or engage them in any serious dialogue to ensure their timely return to the ho meland,” it said. — PTI