Jammu, April 01: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley hinges on the restoration of a secure environment, asserting that the government continues to prioritise the protection of their religious sites.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during a discussion on a private member’s bill, the Chief Minister, said the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits is a reality that neither the government nor anyone else denies.
He said successive governments have made efforts to facilitate their return, but the situation on the ground has not yet reached a level where members of the community feel safe enough to come back.
The Chief Minister said the community’s sense of security has been deeply affected and must be rebuilt before any meaningful return can take place. “Without restoring that confidence, expecting their return would not be realistic,” he told the House.
He said the government is taking steps to safeguard properties belonging to the displaced community, adding that religious sites linked to them remain a priority and are being preserved and protected.
Referring to earlier legislative efforts, he said attempts were made in the past to introduce a bill to safeguard such properties, but these faced resistance from sections within the community. He said any future legislation must have broader consensus to avoid divisions.
The Chief Minister said certain portrayals highlight only one side, while stories of communal harmony and protection often remain underrepresented.
He also said the government is committed to ensuring the welfare and protection of the displaced community, while working towards conditions that would enable their safe and dignified return.
