Kashmiri Pandits – everybody’s concern, nobody’s responsibility

It is unfortunate that the kashmiri pandits have been a project of ethnic cleansing. the psychological trauma of being driven out of one’s homeland is immense. It may be true that people are not addressing their problems- I dont know much about this, so i wont comment.

However, my problem with your article is not the subject of the plight of Kashmiri pandits. My problem is your careless use of analogy- comparing the problems of  kashmiri pandits with the dalits!!

you write- “Kashmiri Pandits thus have much in common with the dalits for example.
Why this example? Because the dalits in far, far vast numbers are still
unheard. Also, this example, because we are used to at least knowing
that the dalits have problems, unlike someone with a label like
“Pandit”. Opposite ends of the caste hierarchy – very similar
fundamental problem – no one is interested in giving them a piece of
the cake.” !!!!!!!!

Let me raise a few questions:

1.High chances that every 2nd homeless person or beggar you see sleeping on the road is a dalit. How many of these homeless beggars are likely to be a kashmiri pandit or any other ‘pandit’?  How many Kashmiri pandits that you know  are ‘homeless’ in the way most of the dalits are?

2. A consequence of ethnic cleansing is a deterioration of ones standard of living. Can you tell me how many ‘homeless’ kashmiri pandit living away from kashmir makes his/her living on construction sites? or carries human excreta? or clears animal carcasses off railway tracks? or are unable to send their children to school?

3. A large number of Kashmiri Pandits have gone abroad seeking homes and employment. How many dalits can even imagine doing something like that to escape untouchability? how many of them have even been educated enough to even have such dreams?

I reiterate here that I am not be-littling the plight of kashmiri pandit. But my problems are with your very simplistic comparison of their plight to that of the dalits.