Return of Kashmiri Pandits, rehabilitation at all levels; Gupkar Declaration adds to agenda at Jammu meeting

The PAGD has also decided to fight for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits at all levels. (Image: Twitter/@OmarAbdullah)


The controversial coalition, People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), has decided to incorporate in its agenda the return of migrant Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley.

The PAGD has also decided to fight for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits at all levels.

“I have been invited to meet the constituents of the Gupkar declaration today. The alliance has decided to fight for the return of the migrant Kashmiri Pandits as part of its agenda.

“The alliance leaders have also decided that in any future government formed by the constituents in J&K, one per cent of J&K’s annual budget would be reserved for the return of the migrants to their homeland,” informed Satish Mahaldar, chairman of a voluntary organisation that called for the return, reconciliation and rehabilitation of migrant Pandits on Saturday while talking to IANS.

The PAGD constituents are this time in a meeting at the Jammu residence of former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Lok Sabha MP Dr Farooq Abdullah, who is also the president of National Conference (NC).

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration was formed by Dr Farooq Abdullah barely a couple of days after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, was released from the detention, on October 13, that lasted for more than a year since August 5, 2019, when the Narendra Modi led Central Government abrogated Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution that granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The signatories to the PAGD are Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference, Muzaffar Shah of the Awami National Conference and Javid Mustafa of the People’s Movement.

In today’s meeting, the constituent members of PAGD are likely to decide whether or not the alliance should take part in the forthcoming district development council (DDC) elections.

(With IANS inputs)