In an open letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Sapru said that "photo-ops cannot substitute for rehabilitation at ground zero," referring to the Lieutenant Governor's visit to Jagti on September 7, 2020, shortly after assuming office. According to Sapru, the grievances raised by members of the community during that visit remain unaddressed nearly six years later.

 

He also referred to a Kashmiri Pandit community event inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor at Pomposh Enclave in Delhi in March 2021, stating that the assurances and commitments made there have not been fulfilled.

 

Sapru noted that several promises were made in the presence of late Prof. B.B. Dhar of Banaras Hindu University, but alleged that despite the passage of time, no tangible relief has been delivered to the community.

 

Sapru asserted that the administration's priority should not be foreign-citizen Kashmiri Pandits or diaspora-centric events, but rather Kashmiri Pandits living in Kashmir, families residing in migrant camps, and those still dependent on government relief.

 

He argued that rehabilitation and welfare measures for community members at "ground zero" should take precedence over ceremonial gatherings and outreach programmes.

 

Questioning the motivations of some individuals participating in such events, Sapru alleged that many appear more interested in securing nominated seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, positions on the Apex Committee, and subsidies or government support for personal business ventures than in genuine community service.

 

Sapru further urged the Lieutenant Governor's office to scrutinize the backgrounds of those sharing official platforms and suggested that records from the tenure of former governors could help assess their past roles and affiliations.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

Referring to the two-day Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave organized in Delhi on February 25-26, 2022, Sapru claimed that the event had heightened threat perceptions among Kashmiri Pandits residing in Kashmir. He linked these concerns to the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit bank guard in Pulwama on February 26, 2023, and questioned whether organizers associated with such programmes had visited the victim's family or extended support following the tragedy.

 

Expressing concern over recent community gatherings, Sapru alleged that they have once again increased security concerns among Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley. He called for accountability and questioned who would take responsibility if such events contribute to a deterioration in the security environment.

 

In a sharp remark, Sapru also criticized the participation of a former senior official at a high-profile dinner hosted in honour of the Lieutenant Governor and foreign-citizen Kashmiri Pandits at an elite golf course. He argued that the contrast between such gatherings and the continuing hardships faced by displaced families underscores the disconnect between official optics and the realities confronting the community.

 

Sapru maintained that the administration must shift its focus from symbolic engagements to concrete action. He called for the fulfillment of pending commitments made to the community, meaningful rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, improved security for those residing in Kashmir, support for families affected by targeted killings, greater attention to migrants living in camps and on relief, and a policy framework centered on justice and dignified resettlement rather than public relations exercises.

 

Concluding his letter, Sapru stated that Kashmiri Pandits have been waiting for justice since 2014 and deserve substantive action rather than repeated assurances.

 

He urged the administration to prioritize rehabilitation, security, accountability and the fulfillment of long-pending commitments, emphasizing that the community seeks justice—not photo opportunities. (KNS)