'Not much has been done to bring back Kashmiri Pandits except tall claims'

The central government while abrogating Article 370 and 35 A of the Indian Constitution, claimed that the step will pave a way for the safe return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits back into the Valley, but a year after the move the community feels nothing has been done so far for their return, as nothing concrete has been done except the tall claims.

Hyderabad: A year after the central government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status by abrogating Article 370 and 35 A of the Indian Constitution, the Kashmiri Pandits are pinning fewer hopes to their return back to the Valley as nothing concrete has been done except the tall claims.

"From my perspective, one of the key tests of government and its policies on Jammu and Kashmir will be the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. The community living in exile for over 30 years now in their own country is a big blot on Indian State," Rahul Razdan, General Secretary Panun Kashmir said.

The central government while abrogating Article 370 and 35A claimed that the step will pave a way for the safe return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits back into the Valley, but the community feels "nothing has been done for them so far."

"Post abrogation of Articles, there were a lot of expectations that the government will take concrete steps for our return but we have not heard anything so far, " Razdan said while being critical about government's Jammu and Kashmir policy.

"The government keeps on talking regarding colonies, land grant and monetary benefits but so far nothing serious has come out," he added.

It's pertinent to mention here that recently a group of Kashmiri pandits demanded the immediate restoration of statehood and special status to Jammu and Kashmir.