DELHI: In a significant step towards reconciliation and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has proposed the formation of an Inter-Community Committee aimed at addressing the grievances of Kashmiri Pandits and fostering cooperation between communities. The announcement came following a crucial meeting between Mirwaiz and a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits representing the JK Peace Forum at Hotel JW Marriott, New Delhi, on January 31, 2025, a statement issued by JK Peace Forum said.
The meeting, lasting about one and a half hours, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between the two communities, the Forum statement said. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, acknowledging the pain and suffering of Kashmiri Pandits following their exodus in 1989-90, reiterated his longstanding position on the importance of their return. He stated, “Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits” and stressed the need for urgent measures to address their concerns. He further emphasised, “The suffering of Kashmiri Pandits needs to be addressed earnestly, and this has been a point I have raised repeatedly in my discourses.” He also highlighted the necessity of educating the younger generation about Kashmir’s composite cultural heritage.
The Kashmiri Pandit delegation, in turn, shared their painful experiences of displacement, including hardships such as extreme weather conditions, economic struggles, and the loss of ancestral properties. They expressed their continued emotional connection with Kashmir and their willingness to support their Muslim brethren during crises. The delegation also urged Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, as a spiritual leader with a broad influence, to take a proactive role in ensuring the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland.
In response to these discussions, both sides agreed to establish an Inter-Community Committee under the leadership of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The committee will focus on facilitating the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits, addressing the concerns of other minority communities in the region, promoting economic development, trade, and employment generation, preserving and revitalising Kashmir’s unique cultural heritage, and encouraging cooperation among young professionals from different backgrounds.
The committee will also explore avenues for government-backed initiatives to rehabilitate displaced Kashmiri Pandits, including the establishment of inclusive designated colonies to support their reintegration.
The meeting concluded with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq committing to taking proactive steps towards this initiative as a confidence-building measure. The Kashmiri Pandit delegation lauded the move and expressed optimism that this collaborative effort would pave the way for a peaceful and prosperous future for Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the statement issued by the Forum, the JK Peace Forum is an organisation dedicated to promoting peace, unity, and reconciliation among the diverse communities of Jammu and Kashmir. Its mission is to build bridges of understanding and foster inclusive dialogue for the betterment of the region and its people.
