JAMMU, Dec 27: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh underscored that the cultural, linguistic and civilisational legacy of the Kashmiri Pandit community is central to Kashmir’s composite and pluralistic identity, asserting that the Valley’s cultural fabric remains incomplete without their presence and contribution.
Addressing a commemorative programme organised here on the death anniversary of Pandit Prem Nath Bhat, a noted lawyer and journalist who was killed by terrorists on December 27, 1989, the Minister expressed deep concern over the gradual erosion of the Kashmiri Pandits’ cultural and linguistic ethos. Paying tribute to Pandit Bhat, Dr Singh said his martyrdom symbolised the immense suffering endured by the community due to terrorism and targeted violence.
Dr Jitendra Singh said terrorism had inflicted profound human suffering in Jammu and Kashmir and severely disrupted the region’s social harmony. He noted that for years, the plight and human rights of terrorism victims, particularly Kashmiri Pandits, were often overlooked due to what he described as a selective and inconsistent interpretation of terrorism, which further deepened the injustice faced by displaced families forced to abandon their homes and ancestral roots.
Highlighting the government’s security approach, the Minister said the past eleven years have witnessed decisive and sustained action against terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that the sharp decline in terror incidents, stone-pelting and targeted killings reflected a strong political will and a clear departure from earlier policies that lacked firmness in addressing terrorism.
Dr Singh praised the resilience of the Kashmiri Pandit community, describing it as a testament to its strength and capacity to endure decades of displacement and adversity. He said the community has consistently demonstrated its ability to survive and contribute meaningfully despite prolonged challenges.
Reflecting on Kashmir’s centuries-old composite culture, Dr Jitendra Singh said Kashmiri Pandits have been an inseparable part of the Valley’s civilisational journey. Their contributions to education, literature, administration and social values, he said, have historically played a stabilising and rational role in society, benefiting all communities.
Expressing concern over the continuing dilution of cultural and linguistic traditions, the Minister stressed the need for sustained and focused efforts to preserve the Kashmiri Pandit legacy. He emphasised that safeguarding the community’s cultural and civilizational heritage is essential not only for the Pandits themselves but also for sustaining Kashmir’s broader composite culture.
Dr Jitendra Singh assured the community that the government remains sincere, credible and fully committed to addressing its long-pending demands. He said efforts would be made to take up these issues and resolve them to the maximum extent possible.
He also suggested that the community undertake a structured exercise to document demands that have already been fulfilled by the government and clearly identify the remaining concerns. Such a consolidated representation, he said, could then be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for focused consideration.
The Minister added that the government’s approach is aimed not merely at rehabilitation but also at preserving the Valley’s social and cultural fabric, ensuring that the legacy and contributions of the Kashmiri Pandit community are recognised, respected and sustained for future generations.