Nation rattled by brutality that Kashmiri Pandits are facing: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Addressing a “Jan Aakrosh Rally” on Sunday, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said in the last 30 years there had been two incidents where Kashmiri Pandits had to flee and face a massacre. Stating that both the incidents happened under the watch of a BJP government, Kejriwal added that it meant that BJP was incompetent to handle Kashmir.
Kejriwal said the recent spate of attacks on Kashmiri Pandits had angered the entire country and the BJP-led central government had failed to ensure their safety. They were being locked up inside their colonies and not being permitted to protest.
“The situation in Kashmir has grown so dire that many of our brothers and sisters from the Kashmiri Pandit community as well as police and army personnel have lost their lives. The entire nation is rattled with the way violence is unfolding in the Valley and the brutality with which Kashmiri Pandits are being targeted and murdered,” said Kejriwal.
Referring to the exodus that took place three decades ago, the chief minister said, “It feels like we are back to the 1990s and Kashmiri Pandits are yet again being compelled to flee their homeland. They suffered a lot back then and it had taken a lot for them to return to their motherland. It is highly unfortunate that they are being forced to flee again as a result of the repeated and targeted violence against their community.”
The CM also listed a set of four demands. “The central government should present an action plan on how it can stop the genocide and killings of Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus and army personnel. Secondly, all bonds that Kashmiri Pandits have been forced to sign under the PM Plan should be cancelled. The government should accept and agree to all their demands and the highest level of protection should be provided to them. The only demand Kashmiri Pandits have today from their BJP-led state government is to provide them the bare minimum, which is utmost safety,” Kejriwal said.
Claiming that no significant steps had been taken to handle the issue, Kejriwal said, “Whenever such brutal murders take place, we see high-level meetings called by the Centre. I want to ask Union home minister Amit Shah, what is the point of these meetings if lives cannot be saved? The nation demands action now and he should tell the country what the action plan is to relieve the Valley of incessant violence.”
Issuing a warning to Pakistan, Kejriwal said, “I challenge Pakistan to drop their evil and frivolous antics. If you think you can take away Kashmir through these ploys, then I warn you once again. Kashmir belonged to India, still does and will forever belong to us. I want to tell all residents of the Valley that Aam Aadmi Party is here in solidarity with you and we will not falter in taking necessary steps to ensure peace in your households.”
Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha and Delhi government minister Gopal Rai were also present at the rally. “Photos and videos are being circulated on social media depicting endless queues at Srinagar airport, people asking truck drivers to take them out of the Valley and taking whatever medium of escape is available to them,” said the CM.
Reacting to reports of Hindu employees working in Kashmir raising concerns over their security, Kejriwal tweeted, “This is shocking and sad. In a way, people are being pushed towards death.”