The Union government said in the Lok Sabha on Monday that denial of permission to Kashmiri Pandits to go on the Kousar Nag Yatra through the South Kashmir route was not linked to the rehabilitation of the displaced community and cast no shadow on their return to the Valley.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre was committed to their rehabilitation. He was responding to a calling attention notice moved by K. Kavitha of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Anurag Thakur and Sanjay Jaiswal of the BJP and B. Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal.
Mr. Singh said those who chose to take the Reasi (in Jammu) route could finish the Yatra at Kousar Nag on Nag Panchami day. After initially stating that the Kashmir route was not “traditionally followed”, the Minister later said the permission was denied following protests by a section of separatists.
He, however, said the government was moving ahead with the rehabilitation plans. “The government has announced packages for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. The Prime Minister’s Rs. 1,618.4-crore package has been implemented since 2008. Financial assistance is being offered for purchase, construction and repair of houses in the Valley; construction of transit accommodation; scholarships; job creation; assistance for self-employment; assistance for agriculture and horticulture; waiver of interest on unpaid loans,” he said.
Rehabilitation, the Minister said, was a continuous process and a Rs. 500-crore package was announced in the Budget for it. He said that based on experience, the new package for return and rehabilitation was being finalised in consultation with the State government and Pandits’ representatives.
‘A national issue’Mr. Singh said rehabilitation was not a political issue, but a national one. “What can be a bigger challenge than our own people being uprooted … It has to be seen as an issue of justice, humanity, self-respect and not as an issue of caste and creed,” he said. Parliament should pass a unanimous resolution that the members would not rest until every displaced person in the country was rehabilitated.
Intervening in the discussion, BJP leader L.K. Advani said that instead of a debate, the House should look at implementing recommendations of a Standing Committee during United Progressive Alliance I rule.
Earlier, Ms. Kavitha, citing cases of brutality against Pandits and four Air Force personnel, asked what steps were being taken for rehabilitation. She questioned the Centre on the delay in the conviction of those involved in the killings.
Mr. Thakur wanted to know why the yatra was disallowed from the South Kashmir route and questioned the State government’s silence on the issue.
Outside Parliament, Union Minister of State for Home Jitender Singh said the Centre would take a structured view of the rehabilitation issue and ensure the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits.
