Satish Mahaldar, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit currently residing in Delhi, has garnered widespread appreciation from the Kashmiri community for his recent donation to the victims of the devastating Bohrikadal fire.
Mahaldar, an engineering alumnus, expressed that his primary motivation was to assist those in dire need, drawing from his own painful experiences. “In this devastating fire, I saw people of all ages, including men, women, children, and the elderly, losing their shelters. No one can understand their pain as deeply as we do,” he said.
Reflecting on his family’s forced displacement from Kashmir, Mahaldar noted the enduring struggles faced by those displaced. “When we left Kashmir in distress, we have not been able to rebuild the same. These people have suffered greatly, and this devastating fire has only added to their hardships,” he stated.
Mahaldar acknowledged the modest nature of his contribution, saying, “I know 25K isn’t a substantial amount, and it cannot rebuild a house. However, it is a token of love for those Kashmiri people who lost their homes.”
Recalling the harmonious past, he mentioned, “Before the 80s, there were no issues; Pandits and Muslims lived together, sharing each other’s problems and joys.”
A Legacy of Advocacy
As the Chairman of the Reconciliation, Return & Rehabilitation of Migrants, Satish Mahaldar has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Kashmiri Pandits while also standing up for the rights of Muslims in the valley. He has campaigned for justice and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual understanding.
In 2020, Mahaldar and several other Kashmiri Pandits urged protesters against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to also highlight the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. “Those protesting against the CAA, if sincere for the cause, must ensure that all protesting sites display the plight of Kashmiri Pandits through banners, posters. In case they don’t or fail to do this then their intentions are crystal clear,” Mahaldar said at the time.
He has also termed the decision to hand over the bodies of two civilians killed in the Hyderpora incident as an acknowledgment of the supremacy of public power and demanded justice for the families affected.
Mahaldar’s actions and words continue to resonate deeply with those who have experienced displacement and loss, as he tirelessly works towards bridging divides and advocating for a unified and just Kashmir.
Mahaldar is among the list of Kashmiri pandits who openly advocated for Kashmir’s special status.
“The Indian Constitution ensures the right to equality that extends to individuals, communities, religions, regions, and all social and political institutions, ” he told The Kashmiriyat, when the Supreme court agreed to hear the pleas challenging the decision of August 5, 2019.