Author:
Publication: India Times
Date: May 2, 2002
URL: http://chatinterviews.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?artid=9065922
(Ashok Pandit is Filmmaker &
Spokesperson, Panun Kashmir)
"If people had reacted to the genocide
and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri pandits 13 years back, Gujarat wouldn't
have happened."
Semu > What is Panun Kashmir all
about?
Ashok Pandit > `Panun' means "Our"
(in Kashmir). After the exodus in 1990 when we were forced to become refugees
in our own country after 50 years of independence, Dr Agni Shekhar a known
poet, came out with this concept of an organsiation called `Panun Kashmir'.
Youngsters joined him. Panun Kashmir for the first time in the history
of Kashmiri pandits gave a political slogan of homeland. We demand a homeland
in Kashmir on the north-east of river Jhelum and invite each and every
citizen of this country who believes in the Indian Constitution to be a
part of this concept of homeland. We thought of this because it is that
majority of Kashmiri Muslim population who rejected our stay with them
in Kashmir. We assure that one day we will manage (the dream) to have our
own homeland.
Arpsd > Do you think terror in the
world can ever be stopped?
Ashok Pandit > Yes, provided there
is a will of the politicians, the people and the nation at large.
Abhishake_lala > What do you have
to say about the cultural genocide of the Kashmiri (pandits) clan by terrorists?
Do you think that this community can ever get back its lost legacy even
after returning to Kashmir?
Ashok Pandit > On 19 Jan, 1990
the world's biggest human tragedy happened when all the mosques in Kashmir
played an audio cassette asking the Kashmiri pandits to leave their homeland,
but leave behind their women folk. Rapes, burning of our houses, breaking
of temples and a complete anarchy was created by the militant organisations
with the support of the majority Muslim population. We will get back to
our homeland one day to claim our legacy in the valley. Our legacy is so
strong that nobody can kill it.
Atishi > What about the little children
who were uprooted in 1990 and wouldn't know the Kashmir culture at all?
What are we doing to preserve this culture?
Ashok Pandit > There is definitely
a fear in the community of losing ones culture. After the exodus we have
held on to our culture steadfastly, and we see to it that even young children
speak in Kashmiri. Parents and various Kashmiri pandit organisations are
working towards preserving this culture. Our painters are painting Kashmir,
our singers are singing Kashmir and our poets are writing Kashmir. Each
and everyone is working towards it through their various professions.
Niran77 > What do you think about
the Gujarat problem? What is the permanent solution for it?
Ashok Pandit > The Gujarat problem
is what we experienced in Kashmir 13 years back and the world remained
silent on the atrocities committed on us till today because we were Kashmir
pandits. If people had reacted to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of
Kashmiri pandits 13 years back, Gujarat wouldn't have happened. The only
solution to the Gujarat problem is that all those (of different communities)
affected by it should sit together and clear the misunderstandings. The
biggest mistake they will make if they believe in the promises of any political
party. And if they still believe in them (political parties), they will
remain refugees like us for another 15 years. The political parties will
use them as an argument and sell their tears for their personal gains the
way BJP did to Kashmiri pandits. Similarly, Congress, Samajwadi and Communist
parties will sell the tears of Muslims in Gujarat (if they rely on them
too much).
Semu > Kashmiri refugees can exercise
their voting rights via post. Yet, why is it that after all these years
not a single Kashmiri leader has been elected who could voice the plight
of Kashmiri pandits?
Ashok Pandit > We out rightly reject
the ballot by post concept as it is absolutely futile. Our first fundamental
right to live has been snatched away from us. We want that back first and
then the exercise of the Right to vote comes in. How can we vote a person
(even from Kashmir) who will not work towards our cause? Kashmir pandits
are suffering only because they don't constitute a vote bank for any political
party.
Chhotoo > Sir, I have written (hard
hitting lyrics) for an album on the present political scenario and I want
to desperately contact you. Could you please give your email id, or contact
number?
Ashok Pandit > My office number
is 6327385
Semu > Will abolition of Art. 370
of Indian Constitution, whereby Kashmir is given special status help in
restoring normalcy in the state?
Ashok Pandit > It is one of the
solutions to solve the Kashmir problem. But, if there are constitutional
hazards of abolition this Article (370), there are other ways and means
by which you can restore normalcy in the state. Firstly, hand over the
valley to the army without any political interference. Secondly, Farooq
Abdullah, who is the main architect of the Kashmir problem, should be sacked
and put behind the bars. Thirdly, terrorists should be treated like terrorists
and not sons-in-laws, which our governments have been doing.
Supratik > It seems everyone in
India is not even sensitive to the Kashmiri Hindus. Would they ever listen
to the two crore Bangladeshi Hindus- can you plan to do something to help
out Hindus in Bangladesh?
Ashok Pandit > Looking to the conditions
prevailing in Bangladesh, I strongly feel that Hindus in Bangladesh will
have to sort out problems on their own. The reason being, the rulers, the
system of our country, supposedly a secular country are not bothered about
the majority community. And, till the time there is no major reaction,
nobody will listen to us, as we have been taken for granted since last
so many years.
Chhotoo > Why don't the Kashmiri
pandits start returning to the valley?
Ashok Pandit > How is it possible
to return back under the present circumstances when there is no law and
order in control? Where the foreign mercenaries have taken over the entire
valley? Where every day a common man is killed on the streets, the security
forces are killed in many numbers? Where the law of Nizm-e- Mustafa is
ruling? The images of genocide unleashed on us are still fresh in our minds.
We are peace loving and educated people. And, we condemn the gun culture,
which is in full command in the valley. We'll return to the valley only
when we feel that we can build the nursery of secularism again.
Semu > Do you think that Gujarat
retaliation is the result of anti majority policies adopted by most of
the governments?
Ashok Pandit > To some extent..
Yes.
Chhotoo > Sir Javed Akhtar, Mahesh
Bhatt and you had visited refugee camps in Gujarat. What kind of healing
touch was provided?
Ashok Pandit > My answer is the
same as earlier, where I said that "Don't allow politicians to sell your
tears."
Supratik > It is an earnest attempt
to bring out the plight of Kashmiri Hindus. I understand being a Bangladeshi
Hindu. Please advice on how to reach Indian media on the issue of Bangladesh's
Hindu citizens?
Ashok Pandit > You have to form
an organsiation, come on the streets, impress the foreign media, create
pressure on the system of this country through the foreign powers and you
will see the result.
Semu > Given the resources you have,
why don't you make documentaries on the plight of Kashmiri pandits?
Ashok Pandit > Though there are
no resources I as a film maker, have recently made a documentary titled,
"And the World Remained Silent", which was screened at the House of Commons,
England. We got a tremendous response there. The film has been screened
at various social organisations, colleges and schools for public awareness.
And, my next documentary is on the effect of terrorism on the women of
Kashmir, both Muslims and Hindus.
Chhotoo > Could you please tell
us more about your film on the plight of Kashmiri pandits?
Ashok Pandit > My film depicts
the trauma which my community faced in Kashmir. It depicts the atmosphere
created on the 19th of January 1990 when thousands of Kashmiri Muslims
came on the streets, burned our National Flag and created a terror. It
also depicts the inhuman conditions in which these 3.5 Lakhs Kashmiri pandits
are living in the refugee camps. It basically poses a big question to all
the so-called secular minded people, human rights organisations, and intellectuals
of this country as to why they have remained silent on this biggest human
carnage.
Niran77 > Still, innocent people
are dying in Gujarat. Don't you think the government should take necessary
action in the state?
Ashok Pandit > Definitely yes.
Sign off Message > Ashok Pandit
Panun Kashmir appeals to all the country men to rise above petty politics
and react to in human acts with the same intensity. Only then it will create
an impact. It also appeals to all the media, print as well as electronic,
to highlight the Kashmiri pandit's issue the way it is doing now in Gujarat.
Thanks. Bye!!