Kashmiriyat burns bright as Ravan goes up in flames

Dussehra is celebrated in the Valley after a gap of 20 long years, with pandits, Muslims and Sikhs alike participating

SRINAGAR: It’s victory of good over the evil, finally. A Ravan effigy was burnt by the miniscule Kashmir Pandits population here on Sunday as Dussehra returned to the Valley after 20 long years.

As the age-old tradition was revived after 1990, the pandits, Muslims and Sikhs alike thronged the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium to witness the spectacle that was once a hallmark of Kashmir’s composite culture.

“We were very much encouraged by the success of the shoba yatra on Janmashtami that passed through the sensitive Lal Chowk,” said Sanjay Kumar Tikoo, president Kashmir Pandit Sangrash Samiti, who organised the show.

As many as 56,462 families of Kashmiri Pandits have migrated from Kashmir since militancy set in, in 1990. Of these 34,878 are registered in Jammu and 21,684 in other parts of the country. However, 5,000 pandits chose to stay back. A majority of them live in the twin districts of Anantnag and Pulwama in south Kashmir.

The pandits worked overtime to make the Dussehra celebrations a success. Success came, but not without hiccups.
“Initially, we were denied permission to stage the event. But we approached the chief minister and were permitted, but with a change of venue,” Sanjay said. “Also, workers refused to come to Kashmir to make the effigy of Ravan and we had to ship it from Delhi,” he added.

Keeping the torch of Kashmiriyat (composite culture) burning, Kashmiri Muslims thronged the venue to witness the show. “It is a great day for Kashmir because for the first time after two decades this festival is being celebrated with such gaiety.

Now, as a common Kashmiri I appeal to my pandit brethren to forget the past and return to their roots in the Valley,” said Sonaullah Sofi, a local Muslim visitor.