Here in U.S. most of the news channels covers extensively Obama’s India visit. All of them were talking about the key points e.g Defence deals, Visa Issues, Export issues, Outsourcing etc. etc. That’s fine with US Media. Lets talk about Indian media as usual they found Michelle Obama’s dance on Rang de basanti's song on their respective prime time slots.
I hardly heard a single word about Kashmir. You might be thinking from where Kashmir comes in picture and why the title is “Refugee”. I hope you know the meaning. In case you don’t, let me tell you the exact meaning from UN’s (United Nations) mouth.
A refugee is a person who (according to the formal definition in article 1A of this Convention), owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country
Those who are not Law Graduate in simple terms this means. A person throwing out from his country whatever the reason may be. They specifically focused on “Country” but they didn’t give any definition for people who are Refugee with in their own country. Yes, refugee within country. Not sure if you see any such refugee. No? Did you ever heard about “Panun Kashmir”? This means our own Kashmir. Still scratching your head where you heard this. ? Ever heard about kashimri pandit? A rare race found in Kashmir now. The place they belonged since centuries. More or less the same way Tigers fall in rare species in India. Good thing about tigers is that we have a count that 1411 tigers are there in our jungles.
Alas, we don’t have exact census about our very own Kashmiri Pandits. Some “Red Tape” files says 7-10 lakhs. Irony is that they belong from our “special state” but they are not special. Whatever nightmare you have ever come across, is happened to them in real life. Their houses burnt in front of them. Thousands of them have been killed. They are forced to leave their belongings, inherited properties and living as “Refugees” in their own country. Hundreds of girls of these families raped in front of their parents. Not to mention how they continued their lives.
I really don’t remember a single word in parliament about them. Neither from ruling nor opposition parties have any concern. Why this problem never addressed by nation? Why this problem is not mentioned in election manifestos? Why media talks about Sania – Shoaib marriage but not about them? We know how people are enjoying in Bigg Boss House. But don’t have any idea how these kashmiries are living in tents. Many of them had huge properties which they left. They even can’t sell them on cheap rate. Thanks to Article 370. Which dosen't allow people from others parts of India to purchase land in this "Integral Part" of India.
Might be all these issues is because be they are scattered and don’t have majority in even a single municipal election constituency.
Tigers found their ambassadors in Great Amitabh Bachchan, M S Dhoni, Surya, Bhaichang Bhutia (Indian Footbal team captain. Yes, we have football team too ).
But these pandits are still looking for their ambassadors. Rather we say they are still waiting their Panun Kashmir.
Your's "Non - Kashmiri"
Dhiraj Srivastava
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