Delhi 23 Jan(KNB): After the successful Pran Prathishta for the abode of Lord Ram in Ayodhya Nagri, the Kashmir (Policy and Strategy) Group (KPSG) chairman, Ashok Bhan, emphasized the urgency of engaging stakeholders and initiating intra-community dialogue to address the prolonged conflict in Jammu & Kashmir. Bhan highlighted the historical burden faced by the Kashmir Valley, emphasizing the need for the return of seven hundred thousand Kashmiri Pandits, who have been in exile for 34 years.
At a civil society meeting at India International Centre, Bhan stressed the importance of resolving the sordid phase of societal devastation, death, and destruction through dialogue. The KPSG called for the restoration of democracy, an end to prolonged governor rule, and the establishment of a Truth & Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations since the 1980s.
The Supreme Court’s recent judgment on Article 370 underscored the need to focus on the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Bhan urged the Union Government to engage with stakeholders, hold elections, and create a time-bound plan for the dignified return of exiled Kashmiri Pandits. The restoration of statehood and empowerment at the grassroots level were also highlighted as essential steps.
Former governors, including BN Singh, echoed the need for timely elections, considering the ground-level reports on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. MM Ansari suggested simultaneous elections to the JK legislature and the Parliament, aligning with the government’s one nation, one election approach.
The call for democracy, justice, and the restoration of peaceful coexistence resonated throughout the meeting, emphasizing the importance of winning the hearts and minds of the people in the region.(KNB)