Mahbooba Mufti, the leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has emphasized the need for Kashmiri Pandits to move forward and build a collective future, urging them to let go of past grievances. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated that the suffering endured by the Kashmiri Pandit community cannot simply be overlooked by asking them to forget the past. During her visit to the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, Mufti interacted with a large gathering of Kashmiri Pandits who attended the annual festival. She expressed that the local population warmly welcomes the Pandit community, stating, 'We hope our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters can forget what has happened in the past and look towards the future.' However, upon her arrival at the temple, she faced protests from some Kashmiri Pandits.
Later, while addressing reporters, another group of Kashmiri Pandits attempted to engage with her. They wanted to voice their concerns, but those accompanying the former Chief Minister prevented them from doing so. The protesters chanted slogans like 'The Kashmir soaked in blood is ours' and some even shouted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' Despite the interruptions, Mufti continued her conversation with the media before departing the scene.
In a post on the social media platform X, Mufti described the scenes at the Kheer Bhawani festival as deeply moving, stating, 'The warmth and affection between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims transcended the walls of distrust and division that some have tried to erect for their agendas. It is time we free ourselves from the shackles of the past and prepare for a shared future.' She also highlighted the compassionate care provided by Kashmiri Pandit doctors to patients from the valley who seek treatment outside, mentioning inspiring figures like Dr. Sushil Radhwan, Dr. U Kaul, and Dr. Sameer Kaul. Their efforts not only focus on healing but also on mending old wounds and fostering relationships between communities. Furthermore, she urged the government to ensure that Kashmiri Pandits receive all necessary support and called for maintaining mutual brotherhood among people.
On the other hand, BJP leader Jhanzeeb Sirwal criticized Mufti's comments regarding the Kashmiri Pandit community, asserting that the focus should be on creating an environment in the union territory that strengthens trust, aids in healing, and ensures that every community feels secure. Sirwal remarked that while the future of Jammu and Kashmir should be based on reconciliation, mutual respect, and healing, the pain and suffering experienced by the Kashmiri Pandit community cannot be dismissed by simply asking them to forget the past.
The BJP leader further stated that true reconciliation cannot be achieved by selectively remembering or forgetting certain events, but rather through honest introspection, acceptance of realities, and the courage to acknowledge past mistakes. He urged leaders to exercise caution and sensitivity when discussing issues deeply connected to the emotions, memories, and suffering of entire communities.
