Leaders stress reconciliation, trust-building and revival of Kashmir’s spirit of coexistence
Tulmulla, Ganderbal, June 22: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday called for the dignified return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, urging reconciliation, trust-building and renewed people-to-people engagement during their visits to the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela in Tulmulla.
Speaking to reporters after paying obeisance at the shrine, Mehbooba said the participation of Kashmiri Pandits in the annual festival reflected their enduring emotional and cultural connection with Kashmir.
She described Kashmiri Pandits as an inseparable part of Kashmir’s social fabric and stressed that their return should be viewed as a humanitarian and social priority rather than a political issue.
“The Kashmiri Pandit is our brother and sister. We should forget the bitterness of the past and look towards the future,” she said.
The PDP chief highlighted the contributions of prominent Kashmiri Pandit professionals living outside the Valley, particularly doctors who continue to maintain strong ties with their homeland. Referring to several medical professionals of Kashmiri Pandit origin, she said their connection with Kashmir remains intact despite decades of displacement and expressed hope that more young professionals from the community would reconnect with the people of the Valley.
Mehbooba advocated direct interaction between Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims, saying stronger engagement would help rebuild trust and revive the bonds that historically defined Kashmir’s composite culture.
She also urged authorities to create conditions that encourage displaced families to return with dignity while preserving their identity, traditions and heritage. At the same time, she said migrant families living outside Kashmir continue to require support and welfare measures.
The former Chief Minister cautioned against politicising the suffering of displaced communities and said efforts should focus on reconciliation and healing.
“The biggest thing is that we should not look back. We should look ahead. Those who want to use the pain of Kashmiri Pandits as a weapon should not succeed,” she said.
Meanwhile, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah described the Kheer Bhawani festival as a symbol of Kashmir’s lost brotherhood and communal harmony.
He said the prayers of the people remain focused on the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes and native places in the Valley.
“I think it is the grace of this Goddess that today we are seeing that brotherhood again, which had been disappearing for many years,” Abdullah said while interacting with media persons on the sidelines of the annual mela.
The National Conference president said the prayers of the people of Jammu and Kashmir remain focused on the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes and native places in the Valley. “We pray that the day comes soon when they can return to their homes, sit with us, and live their lives peacefully as they did in the past,” he said.
He said while governments have made efforts towards rehabilitation, confidence-building and willingness from all stakeholders remain important for facilitating return.
Abdullah said the annual mela carries deep emotional and spiritual significance and continues to represent the shared cultural legacy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Thousands of devotees from different parts of the country participated in the annual Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, with authorities making elaborate arrangements for security, healthcare, transport and other facilities.
