Skip to main content
Sabrang
Sabrang
India Violence

Call for hartal on in Valley, KPSS condemn brute killings of Kashmiri Pandits, call out extremists

KPSS demands high level interventions by the country’s prime minister and home minister

Sabrangindia 27 Feb 2023

KPSS

The Kahmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has strongly condemned the organised killings of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley stating that an extremist version of an Islamist ideology is behind the six month long killings.

“Since 1990, the dark times for Kashmiri Pandits continue in Kashmir and the world has turned deaf and blind on this issue which involves (the) lives and security of the innocent religious minorities living in Kashmir. Islamic Countries and Scholars repeatedly claim that terror doesn’t have a religion, but they need to see in Kashmir that here it not only has a religion but a face too,” says a press release issued today.

The lone voice call for a hartal was met with a mixed response today. Last night a peaceful candle light vigil was held at the village Achan in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after the tragic killing by shooting of Sanjay Kumar Sharma in his home yesterday. This was the lone family in the village left. 

This shooting is the last in a long line of attacks on civilians in 2022. It took place barely 50 metres from Sanjay’s home in Achan village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The two-storey house has been provided with round-the-clock security by the J&K administration following a string of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits over the last more than two years, yet the man was gunned down in cold blood. 

The Pulwama Kashmiri Collective went to Achan and met Sanjay Sharma's family. A candle light vigil this evening. 

The KPSS goes on to state that, “World needs to understand clearly that killing of religious minorities and “Kashmiryat” go hand in hand in Kashmir and slowly and steadily Radical Kashmiris are forcing innocent Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus to leave Kashmir as they did in 1990. Decisions taken by the Government of India in August 2019 have exposed the Kashmiri Society and its social fabric. Two out of Ten have turned OGWs for these Terror Organisations who are responsible for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities in Kashmir Valley…..

“KPSS, takes strong note of the situation in Kashmir Valley and reminds the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister to intervene on a high level and accept the failure of the current Lt. Governor to address the issue of security of the religious minorities in Kashmir Valley particularly Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits who have become fodder in between Government, Terrorists and Migrant Kashmiri Pandits living luxurious lives outside Kashmir Valley.”

Meanwhile the All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed grief and sorrow on the killing of Sanjay Sharma in Pulwama yesterday. Condemning the gruesome act, it expressed sympathies and condolences with the bereaved family. APHC said that killing of human beings in such manner is a tragedy that Kashmir has been witnessing for the past three and a half decades now, with no seeming end in near future. 

The APHC also states that, “State policy of extreme repression and unilateral interventions countered by equally extreme and viscous vengeance is a vortex we have got caught into, leading to extreme suffering of Kashmiris of all hues. In this situation Kashmiri pandits living in Kashmir unfortunately have become sitting ducks. Besides, in the prevailing coercive environment with no space for outreach, contact among communities and people is also fast disappearing. 

“APHC said that after political disempowerment, economic assault is systematically being foisted on people of J&K. As the eviction and demolition drive has been put on hold, new taxes are being imposed on people, still recovering from economic impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Arbitrary dismissals of Kashmiris from government service by authorities also continues with three more state employees dismissed yesterday.  Such policies only exacerbate the situation. The APHC said that authorities should reconsider all these measures rather than continue with them. People of J&K majority and the minorities, like people all over have every right to life, their resources and economic decisions.” 

Clearly both sides of the religious divide are alienated and frightened while a seemingly helpless Indian state looks on.

Related:

Targeted killings, govt neglect compels migration of Kashmiri Pandit families from Valley

2,000+ govt jobs, transit accommodation & cash relief to Kashmiri Pandits, says MHA mum on their security

J&K: Kashmiri Pandit Staff Reiterate 'Relocation' Demand Amid Clamour Over Film at IFFI

 

Call for hartal on in Valley, KPSS condemn brute killings of Kashmiri Pandits, call out extremists

KPSS demands high level interventions by the country’s prime minister and home minister

KPSS

The Kahmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has strongly condemned the organised killings of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley stating that an extremist version of an Islamist ideology is behind the six month long killings.

“Since 1990, the dark times for Kashmiri Pandits continue in Kashmir and the world has turned deaf and blind on this issue which involves (the) lives and security of the innocent religious minorities living in Kashmir. Islamic Countries and Scholars repeatedly claim that terror doesn’t have a religion, but they need to see in Kashmir that here it not only has a religion but a face too,” says a press release issued today.

The lone voice call for a hartal was met with a mixed response today. Last night a peaceful candle light vigil was held at the village Achan in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after the tragic killing by shooting of Sanjay Kumar Sharma in his home yesterday. This was the lone family in the village left. 

This shooting is the last in a long line of attacks on civilians in 2022. It took place barely 50 metres from Sanjay’s home in Achan village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The two-storey house has been provided with round-the-clock security by the J&K administration following a string of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits over the last more than two years, yet the man was gunned down in cold blood. 

The Pulwama Kashmiri Collective went to Achan and met Sanjay Sharma's family. A candle light vigil this evening. 

The KPSS goes on to state that, “World needs to understand clearly that killing of religious minorities and “Kashmiryat” go hand in hand in Kashmir and slowly and steadily Radical Kashmiris are forcing innocent Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus to leave Kashmir as they did in 1990. Decisions taken by the Government of India in August 2019 have exposed the Kashmiri Society and its social fabric. Two out of Ten have turned OGWs for these Terror Organisations who are responsible for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities in Kashmir Valley…..

“KPSS, takes strong note of the situation in Kashmir Valley and reminds the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister to intervene on a high level and accept the failure of the current Lt. Governor to address the issue of security of the religious minorities in Kashmir Valley particularly Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits who have become fodder in between Government, Terrorists and Migrant Kashmiri Pandits living luxurious lives outside Kashmir Valley.”

Meanwhile the All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed grief and sorrow on the killing of Sanjay Sharma in Pulwama yesterday. Condemning the gruesome act, it expressed sympathies and condolences with the bereaved family. APHC said that killing of human beings in such manner is a tragedy that Kashmir has been witnessing for the past three and a half decades now, with no seeming end in near future. 

The APHC also states that, “State policy of extreme repression and unilateral interventions countered by equally extreme and viscous vengeance is a vortex we have got caught into, leading to extreme suffering of Kashmiris of all hues. In this situation Kashmiri pandits living in Kashmir unfortunately have become sitting ducks. Besides, in the prevailing coercive environment with no space for outreach, contact among communities and people is also fast disappearing. 

“APHC said that after political disempowerment, economic assault is systematically being foisted on people of J&K. As the eviction and demolition drive has been put on hold, new taxes are being imposed on people, still recovering from economic impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Arbitrary dismissals of Kashmiris from government service by authorities also continues with three more state employees dismissed yesterday.  Such policies only exacerbate the situation. The APHC said that authorities should reconsider all these measures rather than continue with them. People of J&K majority and the minorities, like people all over have every right to life, their resources and economic decisions.” 

Clearly both sides of the religious divide are alienated and frightened while a seemingly helpless Indian state looks on.

Related:

Targeted killings, govt neglect compels migration of Kashmiri Pandit families from Valley

2,000+ govt jobs, transit accommodation & cash relief to Kashmiri Pandits, says MHA mum on their security

J&K: Kashmiri Pandit Staff Reiterate 'Relocation' Demand Amid Clamour Over Film at IFFI

 

Related Articles

Sunday

03

Jan

Pan-India

Saturday

05

Dec

05 pm onwards

Rise in Rage!

North Gate, JNU campus

Thursday

26

Nov

10 am onwards

Delhi Chalo

Pan India

Theme

Stop Hate

Hate and Harmony in 2021

A recap of all that transpired across India in terms of hate speech and even outright hate crimes, as well as the persecution of those who dared to speak up against hate. This disturbing harvest of hate should now push us to do more to forge harmony.
Taliban 2021

Taliban in Afghanistan: A look back

Communalism Combat had taken a deep dive into the lives of people of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Here we reproduce some of our archives documenting the plight of hapless Afghanis, especially women, who suffered the most under the hardline regime.
2020

Milestones 2020

In the year devastated by the Covid 19 Pandemic, India witnessed apathy against some of its most marginalised people and vilification of dissenters by powerful state and non state actors. As 2020 draws to a close, and hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers continue their protest in the bitter North Indian cold. Read how Indians resisted all attempts to snatch away fundamental and constitutional freedoms.
Migrant Diaries

Migrant Diaries

The 2020 COVID pandemic brought to fore the dismal lives that our migrant workers lead. Read these heartbreaking stories of how they lived before the pandemic, how the lockdown changed their lives and what they’re doing now.

Campaigns

Sunday

03

Jan

Pan-India

Saturday

05

Dec

05 pm onwards

Rise in Rage!

North Gate, JNU campus

Thursday

26

Nov

10 am onwards

Delhi Chalo

Pan India

Videos

Communalism

Bastar violence: Anti-Christian Campaign causes breach in Adivasi unity

Hundreds of Adivasi church-goers across villages in Narayanpur and Bastar, Chhattisgarh have been experiencing boycott, intimidation and violence since December last year, forcing them to leave their homes and live in refugee camps. Reportedly, Adivasi districts across Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh is seeing a rise Hindutva mobilisation against Christians .

Communalism

Bastar violence: Anti-Christian Campaign causes breach in Adivasi unity

Hundreds of Adivasi church-goers across villages in Narayanpur and Bastar, Chhattisgarh have been experiencing boycott, intimidation and violence since December last year, forcing them to leave their homes and live in refugee camps. Reportedly, Adivasi districts across Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh is seeing a rise Hindutva mobilisation against Christians .

IN FACT

Analysis

Stop Hate

Hate and Harmony in 2021

A recap of all that transpired across India in terms of hate speech and even outright hate crimes, as well as the persecution of those who dared to speak up against hate. This disturbing harvest of hate should now push us to do more to forge harmony.
Taliban 2021

Taliban in Afghanistan: A look back

Communalism Combat had taken a deep dive into the lives of people of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Here we reproduce some of our archives documenting the plight of hapless Afghanis, especially women, who suffered the most under the hardline regime.
2020

Milestones 2020

In the year devastated by the Covid 19 Pandemic, India witnessed apathy against some of its most marginalised people and vilification of dissenters by powerful state and non state actors. As 2020 draws to a close, and hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers continue their protest in the bitter North Indian cold. Read how Indians resisted all attempts to snatch away fundamental and constitutional freedoms.
Migrant Diaries

Migrant Diaries

The 2020 COVID pandemic brought to fore the dismal lives that our migrant workers lead. Read these heartbreaking stories of how they lived before the pandemic, how the lockdown changed their lives and what they’re doing now.

Archives