Kashmiri Pandits on Thursday slammed the Narendra Modi-led government for “misinforming” that “1678 migrants have returned” to Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, for taking up jobs under Prime Minister’s Development Package, National Herald reported.
Earlier the Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had stated in the Lok Sabha that as many as 1,678 Kashmiri migrants have returned to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 for taking up jobs under the Prime Minister’s Development Package announced in 2015.
The Kashmiri pandits claim that the BJP-led government has been making only tall claims without “doing anything” on the ground.
“The claims made by the Centre that 1678 Kashmiri Pandits have returned to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 is misleading,” the Chairman, Reconciliation, Return & Rehabilitation of Migrants, (an organization fighting for the rights of Kashmiri Pandits), Satish Mahaldar said.
Providing employment under the Prime Minister’s Development Package package does not amount to the return of Kashmiri Pandits, he said, adding, “The package was started by the Dr Manmohan Singh-led government and during his tenure, 3000 Pandits were provided employment.”
He claimed that the Centre was making Kashmiri Pandits a “scapegoat”. “I am a Kashmiri Pandit based in New Delhi. Tell me what the government has done for us. Nothing has changed on the ground,” he said.
He said there were some migrant Kashmiri Pandits who often appear in TV discussions and try to create a rift between various communities.