JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday reaffirmed that the dignified and secure return of Kashmiri Pandits remains a firm commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the gathering, he said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a profound transformation since 2019. “The sinister designs aimed at crushing the dreams and destiny of the people of this Union Territory have been decisively defeated. Through sustained and tireless efforts, the region’s ancient glory is being restored and development has gained unprecedented momentum. Soon, this soil will be completely freed from the scourge of terrorism,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the release of the book “Kashmir-Nativity Regained”, authored by Prof. Ashok Kaul. The book delves into the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, vividly recounting the भयावह days of terror and the enduring trauma of being uprooted from ancestral homes.
Describing the work as more than a literary contribution, the Lieutenant Governor said it is a courageous effort to break the silence that has overshadowed the collective conscience for decades.
“I salute the indomitable spirit of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Every displaced family carried within them a living ember of Kashmir. In the crucible of struggle and adversity, they safeguarded their philosophy, spirituality, culture, language and traditions. Even in the face of immense pain, they discovered new possibilities and reached remarkable heights of achievement,” he said.
Highlighting government initiatives, he noted that the Kashmiri Migrant Web Portal was launched in 2021 to facilitate the restoration of houses and land belonging to members of the Kashmiri Pandit community that had been encroached upon.
“I firmly believe that among the gravest sorrows in the world is the pain of becoming a stranger on one’s own soil. That is precisely what happened in Jammu and Kashmir. The anguish of the 1989–90 killings of Kashmiri Pandits runs so deep that even the passage of time has not healed it. The trauma of leaving homes overnight and being torn from one’s roots still pierces the hearts of displaced families,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor added that attempts were made by the terror ecosystem in J&K to bury the truth, but the sacrifices of innocent lives can neither be forgotten nor forgiven. “Those who spread terror and scarred generations must be remembered for their crimes,” he said.
He also emphasized that Pakistan-backed terrorists claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Kashmiri Muslims. “Many incidents are so heartbreaking that words fail to capture their pain. Since last year, efforts have been intensified to ensure justice for affected families, including addressing their employment and essential needs,” he stated.
Recalling the developments of August 2019, he said that the abrogation of Article 370 and the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed hope among the younger generation of Kashmiri Pandits, assuring them that they could reclaim their roots without fear.
“Prof. Kaul’s book is a poignant testament to the resilience of the Kashmiri Pandit community. This is an era of rebuilding and reconciliation. Through his words, he reminds the world that the Kashmiri Pandit community remains central to the story and soul of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Among those present at the book release ceremony were Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu; Rajiv Jha, Publisher, Readers Press; Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu; distinguished literary figures, members of civil society, and students.
Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Dr. Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; and other senior officials were also in attendance.
