Srinagar, June 26: Senior Advocate and Chairman of the Kashmir (Policy & Strategy) Group, Ashok Bhan, has called for full respect for the democratic mandate in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the elected government to fulfil its commitments to the people while advocating a time-bound roadmap for the safe and dignified return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
In a statement, Bhan said the high voter turnout in the recent Assembly elections reflected the people’s faith in democracy and a rejection of decades of violence and separatism that had brought suffering and destruction to the region. He said the elected government must now be empowered to honour the promises made to the electorate without political expediency or delay.
Highlighting the return and rehabilitation of the exiled Kashmiri Pandit community as a key priority, Bhan urged the Union Territory administration and the Government of India to prepare and implement a time-bound plan. He proposed the establishment of secure, modern and smart composite townships at district headquarters across the Kashmir Valley, along with equal access to employment, education, healthcare and measures to preserve the community’s cultural heritage.
Referring to his recent visit across Kashmir and interactions with different sections of society, Bhan said he sensed a favourable atmosphere for the return of displaced Pandits.
“There is a growing societal acceptance, a vibrant democratic atmosphere and a robust security framework, all of which inspire confidence regarding the safety and future of returning families,” he said, adding that the goodwill shown by ordinary Kashmiris reflected a sincere desire for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
Bhan urged Kashmiri Pandit representatives and civil society to adopt a forward-looking approach and actively contribute to rebuilding trust and strengthening participatory democracy. He said Kashmir’s social and political fabric remained incomplete without the meaningful participation of the indigenous Kashmiri Pandit community.
He stressed that rehabilitation should extend beyond physical resettlement and include confidence-building measures, institutional safeguards, restoration of community properties, protection of cultural and religious heritage, and sustained engagement between communities.
Calling for justice and healing, Bhan advocated the establishment of a time-bound and impartial Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine human rights violations committed by both state and non-state actors since the 1980s. He said acknowledging the suffering of all communities, including the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989-90 and the losses endured by the people of Jammu and Kashmir during years of violence, would help restore trust and address alienation among the younger generation.
“Kashmir is civilisationally incomplete without the presence of its indigenous Kashmiri Pandit community,” Bhan said, urging the Government of India, the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir and civil society to work together to facilitate their dignified return.
He also highlighted the importance of dialogue initiatives such as the recent “Heart to Heart – Dil Se Dil Tak” programme held in Srinagar, saying such efforts are essential for fostering reconciliation, mutual understanding and lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
