To be able to put forward their demands, the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) today asked for adequate political space for Kashmiri Pandits in legislative institutions and civic bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.
Creating political space by government can also facilitate the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their native land, AIKS president Moti Koul told reporters here.
There are many ways for providing this space, including nominations, in legislative and civic bodies as has been the practice for certain people in the north-eastern region of the country, he said.
Koul said that another way could be consensus among political parties for reservation of Kashmiri Pandit candidates in certain constituencies to enable them to find representation in the democratic institutions.
The 'ethnic cleansing' of Kashmiri Pandits and then two decades in exile have thrown up massive existential issues, he said adding that not only have they lost their roots but have been forced to leave behind geographical and political space which defined them as 'pandits'.
"Along with it, we lost all democratic rights, including the right to vote, and we are today concerned that our return and survival as a distinct ethnic minority is not possible unless we are adequately politically empowered," the AIKS president said.
Referring to prime minister's package, Koul said that Kashmiri Pandit organisations, including AIKS, welcomed it although the package has many deep flaws in it.
"We, therefore, demand that the package be properly discussed with Kashmiri Pandit representatives and modified to suit the aspirations of the displaced pandits," he said.
He added that the first apex committee meeting of representatives of Kashmiri Pandits held about two months back had unanimously recommended three confidence building measures -- employment package, enhancement of cash relief and passing of temples and shrines bills.
"As far as employment package is concerned, we welcome the first step taken by the government," he said adding that the conditions, however, attached with it smell of foul play.
"The issue of offering proper relaxation was totally overlooked and we are still awaiting positive response from the government with regard to other issues of enhancement of cash relief and passing of temples bill," Koul said.
On justice Sagir Ahmed's report on strengthening centre-state relatioins in J&K, he said the report was submitted without any proper discussion and approval from its group members.
AIKS and its 60 affiliates within and outside the country have rejected this report, he added.
