Kashmiri Pandits divided over 'insecure' situation with Muslim neighbours

For 73-year-old Bhushan Lal, nothing has changed since July 8 when protests broke out in Kashmir over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Muzaffer Wani.

Lal, a retired teacher and a resident of the migrant transit camp for Kashmiri Pandit employees at Sheikhpora Budgam since 2008, is angry at the media for distorting truth, giving an impression that the Pandits are leaving the valley in droves for Jammu, in the wake of the current violence.

CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH MUSLIMS

"Look we have an excellent relation with our Muslim neighbours," he insists. "We didn't face any problem. We are getting vegetables and milk despite long curfew and strike and our Muslim neighbors are encouraging us to stay on," says Lal pointing toward a load-carrier laden with vegetables and milk. In fact, Lal is so wary of journalists that he insists this correspondent to show the notes to cross-check if he has been quoted accurately.

He is also quick to admonish and silence people who add credence to the migration story by citing anecdotal examples, asking if they have actually witnessed them leave Kashmir. "Why are you speaking about something which you have not seen?" asks Lal.

Also read: Kashmiri Pandits don't count, they are not a vote bank, says Anupam Kher

STOP SPREADING LIES

According to Arvind Bhat, a student at the University of Kashmir, Pandits and Muslims living in Sheikhpora have cordial relations for long. "During the 2014 floods, we helped each other," he says. He too directs his ire against the media for giving a voice to people who claim to speak on behalf of the community whenever a crisis strikes.

"They are not the people living here. They don't have any idea about the ground situation or that of our relations with our Muslim neighbours. They have no right to speak on behalf of us," says Bhat.

But others like Ruban Sapru who works as a teacher in Srinagar is not so gung-ho about the prevailing situation in Kashmir and wants the government to transfer him permanently to Jammu. Though he admits that he hasn't faced any problem in Kashmir, he is now part of an agitation by Kashmiri Pandits posted in Srinagar demanding a transfer to Jammu.

ANOTHER VERSION: WE FEEL INSECURE

"We have reports that the migrant camps at Haal Pulwama and Vesu in Anantnag and some places in north Kashmir were attacked by the mobs," he tells Mail Today over phone from Jammu. One of his colleagues, who wished to remain anonymous described the situation as "insecure" and insisted on a one-time settlement of Kashmiri Pandits.

"Given the atmosphere in the valley you don't know what will happen and when. This makes us insecure", he adds. They have now given a joint representation to the Relief Commissioner, Jammu.

Kashmiri Pandits invest mostly in the education of their kids and this is suffering due to the present crisis, he says. "Had we been living in big colonies with Muslims and other communities and been in higher numbers, we would not face any such issues of insecurity," he says. Vimal Pandita, a teacher in Kupwara, alleges that the police had to intervene to diffuse a tense situation at their camp.

STONE PELTING IN PANDITS' CAMPS

"Initially, stones were thrown. A mob then tried to attack and the police had to open fire to disperse it," Pandita tells Mail Today over the phone, adding that he was on a vacation in Jammu when the incident took place.

Senior Superintendent of Police Kupwara Ejaz Ahmad, however, has disputed Pandita's version. He insists there wasn't any attack on the camp of Kashmiri pandits in Kupwara.

IT IS A LIE, POLICE SAYS

"It is a lie, a big lie. Some of them had already left due to vacation, while others left on their own after protests erupted in Kashmir," he says. Agrees Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla: "Yes, there were protests in Baramulla after the killing of Burhan Muzaffer Wani. But I don't think any protester ever tried to go near a Kashmiri Pandit's camp. Not even a single Pandit faced any issue and there is no migration from the camp," says Mir. Also Read:

Kashmiri Pandits: Modi government has no plan

Onus on Kashmiri Pandits to return, nobody will come with begging bowl: Farooq Abdullah