Jammu, February 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reaffirmed the Central government’s unwavering commitment to the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits during the launch of Prof. Ashok Koul’s poignant book ‘Kashmir-Nativity Regained’ at the University of Jammu. The event highlighted the dark chapter of the 1989-90 exodus, capturing the terror, fear, and uprooting that shattered generations.
Sinha declared that Jammu and Kashmir has undergone profound transformation since 2019. ‘Enemy conspiracies aimed at destroying the dreams and destinies of our youth have been decisively crushed,’ he stated. Relentless efforts have restored the region’s ancient glory, accelerated development, and paved the way for a terrorism-free future.
Praising the book, Sinha called it a brave attempt to break decades of silence on suppressed truths. He saluted the indomitable spirit of the Kashmiri Pandit community, who preserved their culture, spirituality, language, and traditions amid unimaginable hardships. ‘Every displaced family carried the living spark of Kashmir within them,’ he noted, emphasizing their resilience in turning adversity into opportunity.
The LG recalled the 2021 launch of the Kashmiri Migrant Web Portal to reclaim properties seized by terrorists. ‘Becoming a stranger on one’s own land is one of the world’s greatest sorrows,’ he said, evoking the enduring pain of the 1989-90 massacres. He condemned the terror ecosystem, vowing never to forget or forgive those who spread violence, including Pakistan-backed terrorists who killed thousands of innocent Kashmiri Muslims.
Post-Article 370 abrogation in 2019, a new hope has dawned among the younger generation of Kashmiri Pandits. Sinha positioned the community at the heart of J&K’s reconstruction narrative. The event saw participation from University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai, publisher Rajiv Jha, academics, writers, students, and officials.