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Kashmiri Pandits Mark Balidan Diwas, Renew Genocide and Homeland Demands
Kashmiri Pandits held a remembrance event in Jammu called Balidan Diwas.
They honored people from their community and security personnel who died in violence.
The event was organized by Panun Kashmir.
People wore black armbands and lit a special flame called Veer Jyoti.
The flame was later placed at a temple as Amar Jyoti.
The group wants the violence and displacement of Kashmiri Pandits to be legally recognized as genocide.
It also wants a separate, protected homeland in the Kashmir Valley.
Speakers said Kashmiri Pandit workers in the Valley still face security worries.
They also connected their demand with Jammu’s call for separate statehood.
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits observed the 36th Balidan Diwas in Jammu, honoring community members and security personnel killed in violence and terrorism.
Panun Kashmir organized the programme, where participants wore black armbands and lit a Veer Jyoti later installed as Amar Jyoti at Bhadrakali Temple.
The community renewed its demand for legal recognition of the violence and displacement as genocide and for a separate homeland in the Valley under Union protection.
Panun Kashmir chairman Tito Ganju said the community’s proposed homeland and genocide bill were central to its Margdarshan Resolution and continuing struggle.
Speakers also raised security concerns for Kashmiri Pandit employees in the Valley and linked their homeland demand with Jammu’s demand for separate statehood.
- Who
- Displaced Kashmiri Pandits, Panun Kashmir representatives, and Jammu-based supporters observed the programme.
- What
- They marked the 36th Balidan Diwas, honored victims, and renewed demands for genocide recognition and a separate homeland.
- Where
- Jammu, with the Veer Jyoti later installed at Bhadrakali Temple in Thalwal.
- When
- Monday, September 14; the observance has been held since 1990.
- Why
- To remember those killed and displaced, seek legal recognition of the violence, and press for a protected homeland and improved security.
Key facts
- Observance
- 36th Balidan Diwas
- Organizer
- Panun Kashmir
- Location
- Jammu and Bhadrakali Temple at Thalwal
- Memorial flame
- Veer Jyoti was installed as Amar Jyoti
- Main demand
- Legal recognition of the violence and displacement as genocide
- Political demand
- A separate Kashmiri Hindu homeland in the Valley under direct Union protection
- Additional concern
- Security of Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley under the prime minister’s employment package
Quotes
Agnishekhar
Convenor of Panun Kashmir
“We have been observing this day since 1990 to honour the martyrs and reaffirm our commitment to continue the struggle till the achievement of our goal, which is enactment of a genocide bill and separate homeland as enshrined in the Margdarshan Resolution adopted by the community following mass migration from the valley in early 1990.”
theprint.in
“We remember why they were killed, who killed them, what the purpose was and what the intent behind it was. Our struggle is rooted in confronting that intent.”
theprint.in
Sources
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