Kashmiri Pandits say no to Hizbul offer- Hira Lal Chatta, General Secretary, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference

According to Yahoo! News, "The desire for independence for the state is not shared in the Jammu and Ladakh parts however, where 76 percent and 70 percent wanted a 'complete merger' of the state into India" (http://ca.rss.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100912/world/india_unrest_kashmir_poll). 

Only the population in the smallest part of the state, the Kashmir Valley, wants to be independent. Also, "Kashmiri Pandits who are patriotic and nationalists" want to stay with India (http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=23883). 

Kashmiri Pandits say no to Hizbul offer

Posted: Aug 13, 2003 at 1801 hrs IST

Terming the pro-Pakistan militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Sayeed Salahuddin's call to them to return to Kashmir Valley a "trap," the displaced leadership of the community rejected it outrightly.

"It is a trap laid by the HM chief at the behest of Pakistani establishment of ISI to use pandits in Kashmir, after their return, against India," said Hira Lal Chatta, General Secretary, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference.

"Salahuddin, who advocated Nizam-e-Mustafa (Islamic rule) and merger of Kashmir with Pakistan, will not be allowed to succeed in his design," Chatta said adding that the HM chief himself lay down the gun publicly, give up the call for Islamic rule in the valley and apologise for the killings of Kashmiri pandits in the valley." "A deserter, Salahuddin who fought elections under Indian constitution in 1986-87 has no right to make such statements about KPs who are aborigines of Kashmir and Indians and patriotic to the core," chatta said.

In similar vein, Chairman of Panun Kashmir, Dr Ajay Charangoo asked if Salahuddin had given up his aim of striving for Islamic rule in the valley.

"It is a tactical statement and is nothing new but a trap for pandits," he said adding that Salahuddin should first fix responsibility for killing of Kashmiri Pandits who are patriotic and nationalists.

"There is no change of heart and the statement is to hoodwink the international community, Dr Charangoo said.

The state BJP chief, Dr Nirmal Singh said it was a non serious statement and there were no takers for it among pandits, who cannot return to the valley in this situation.

"There is no freedom struggle in Kashmir and even Hurriyat has stopped talking about it. They too want peace in Kashmir now," he said.

Convenor of Panun Kashmir, Dr Agnishekar said the community was driven out of the vally by Hizbul headed by Salahuddin. "Asking them to return and join freedom struggle against India and its secular ethos is ridiculous and absurd." Rejecting the idea, another senior leader, Dr K.L. Chowdary said even the people of Kashmir have rejected terrorism in the valley by participating in democratic exercise.

Other organisations that rejected Salahuddin's call J and K Shiv Sena, All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Kashmiri Hindu Migrants Committee J and K Vichar Manch and VHP.

Jammu Muslims fought alongside with Jammu Hindus to beat Pakistani sponsored terrorists who came to the city. The Muslim Gujjars of Jammu are even organizing a convention to show their support for India and their opposition to Kashmiri separatists (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100918/nation.htm#3). “Thousands of Gujjars will assemble in my hometown Rajouri soon to show that there is a different ground reality outside the valley,” said Chechi. He was of the view that the delegation’s visit would be a failure “because the valley’s political leaders and the Hurriyat won’t let them find a solution...Why does the Union Government not want to talk to Muslim Gujjars and hill-people who are pro-India and have full faith in its Constitution?” questioned Chechi. “All this talk of ‘azadi’ and autonomy is nothing but a big plan to get more funds from the Centre and join hands with Pakistan,” he said (Chaudhary Qummar Rubbani Chechi). The Ulema of the most prestigious Islamic University have declared Jammu & Kashmir to be a part of India (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Kashmir-an-integral-part-of-India-say-Deoband-clerics/articleshow/6729157.cms). It is better for Jammu & Kashmir to be a part of India and many other Hindustani Muslims show their support for Kashmir being a part of India as they curse Geelani, Kafir-e-Azam (http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/oct/221010-News-Delhi-Hurriyat-leader-heckled-press-conference-Shah.htm).