The Jammu Kashmir Peace Forum, led by Chairman Satish Mahaldar, has announced the establishment of a new Group Housing Society in Srinagar, named “The Displaced Kashmiri Resident’s Housing Society Ltd.”
This initiative aims to reaffirm the community’s connection to their ancestral land, marking a significant step in their long-standing effort to reclaim their roots, as per a press release issued to The Kashmiriyat.
In his statement, Mahaldar emphasized the profound importance of maintaining cultural identity amidst modern homogenization.
He quoted Prabhu Sri Ram to underscore that the “motherland – the roots – is the ultimate heaven of an individual’s physical consciousness.”
Despite the 35 years since the forced displacement of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989/90, Mahaldar asserted that reclaiming ancestral roots should be a priority for both the community and the Government of India, Mahaldar said.
He argued that Kashmir’s role in Indian civilization is essential for the survival of the “Idea of India.”
Mahaldar outlined potential avenues for political reclamation, including the development of cultural sites into multi-faceted activity centers.
The formation of the new housing society is part of this broader effort, demonstrating the community’s resolve to assert their presence and claim to their ancestral land.
The forum will soon initiate a membership drive and strive to acquire land at reasonable prices, though Mahaldar clarified that this is not a claim for rehabilitation but a statement of belonging.